9 Few individuals have enjoyed a larger presence at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo than Neal Gay. Since 1979, his Rafter G Rodeo Company has produced the World’s Original Indoor Rodeo with class and style. Thus, when the Rafter G patriarch died on August 11 at age 96, his Stock Show family mourned the legend’s passing. Gay was honored at a memorial service on August 23, fittingly held on the arena floor of the Will Rogers Coliseum where he oversaw the production of the Stock Show’s rodeo performances for almost four decades. An estimated 600 people attended the service that was likely viewed by thousands more via a broadcast on The Cowboy Channel. “Neal embodied the true meaning of how a rodeo cowboy should conduct himself,” said Stock Show President and General Manager Brad Barnes during remarks given at the service. “He certainly inspired us all to do better and be better.” Others speaking at the ceremony included Anthony Lucia, Shawn Davis, Ricky Null, Ricky Bolin, Joe Beaver, Billy Minick and Bob Tallman. Stock Show rodeo pivot setter, Kelly Pickens, sang Amazing Grace and several videos highlighting Neal’s legendary accomplishments were also played. Neal Gay began working at Stock Show rodeo performances in the 1970s when then Stock Show President W.R. Watt, Sr. asked him to take on the challenging task of removing rodeo contestants and others who’d found their way onto the Coliseum’s arena floor for a close up view of the action near the bucking chutes. Neal’s success made such an impression on the elder Watt and his son, Bob, that the rodeo producer who, by then had also successfully launched the popular Mesquite Championship Rodeo, was named the Stock Show rodeo’s producer in 1979. As time went by Neal continued raising the bar and improving the quality of the stock draw for the FWSSR’s 22 rodeo performances in the early 1980s which grew to 36 in 2019. Today, his Rafter G Rodeo organization made up of three generations of family members and numerous employees continue playing major roles in the production of the Stock Show’s specialty rodeos and the FWSSR PRORODEO Tournament which is now among the top five largest professional rodeos in the nation. “I know some of you old-timers may prefer it here with all the memories this building holds,” said Barnes referring to the Coliseum. “But, thanks to the groundwork laid by Neal Gay, thousands of young folks are making Fort Worth rodeo memories of their own in Dickies Arena due, in large part, to Neal’s awesome Rafter G family. Heroes get remembered but legends never die.” STOCK SHOW MOURNS PASSING OF ICONIC RODEO PRODUCER, NEAL GAY
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