A Cowboy Who Is Missed

Troy Nabors passed away unexpectedly on an evening in November 2014 in Mesa, Arizona, at the age of 83. Troy was an actor and, in my opinion, a stunt performer when he did his trick riding. I will remember him as a rodeo entertainer, bullfighter, trick roper, comedian, a family man and one of the last true cowboys.

Troy was always ready to share a joke or two and help me with my trick roping, and we did a couple of conventions together. For 38 of his 50 years of show business, his housebroken and “educated” mule Slim was his constant companion and cohort.

His cowboy antics and roping brought him before presidents and royalty. Troy performed at the rodeos of Parada Del Sol, Gilbert Days and Legend City. We also performed together many years at the Stardust Hotel and Convention Center in Las Vegas and won Best Contract Act of International Professional Rodeo Association for three consecutive years. If anyone catches a rerun of Junior Bonner with Steve McQueen, Troy is the rodeo announcer. Above all, he was a good-hearted cowboy and a friend to all who met him.

This item was originally featured in the December 2015 local newsletter.