SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA - AUGUST 22: Legendary rodeo producer Cotton Rosser, left, and Gilbert Aguirre, Senior VP of Ranch Operations and Head Cowboy for Rancho Mission Viejo, at right, chat with horse trainer Bobby Kerr and his horse "Trigger"while giving a demonstration at the Rancho Mission Viejo Cow Camp Friday. Kerr will perform during intermissions of the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo this weekend, showcasing three mustangs he adopted through the BLM's wild horse capture program. He's hoping to raise awareness about wild horses available for adoption. ///ADDITIONAL INFO: NGT, --- Photo by KEVIN SULLIVAN / Orange County Register -- 8/22/14 Bobby Kerr will perform during intermission at the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo. He's got a team of three mustangs he adopted through the BLM's wild horse capture program. He's hoping to raise awareness about wild horses available for adoption. Meet Diane at Ranch headquarters and follow her to a location on Cow Camp Road, where Bobby and his mustangs will be. 8/22/14 (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
Country Lifestyle

Rodeo Icon Bobby Kerr Dead at 67

This Friday, Bobby Kerr, the rodeo icon passed away. Read more about how this Canadian became a cowboy below.

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On Friday, September 5, Bobby Kerr, the rodeo legend, passed away after a long battle with esophageal cancer. The rodeo cowboy was diagnosed with cancer in 2021, but decided to continue chasing his passions even amidst seeking treatment. While training horses and still performing in the ring, Kerr attempted to shrink his tumor with chemotherapy. However, he was at a loss when he found the cancer had spread further in 2023.

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Learning of this news, Kerr chose to live out the remainder of his days doing what he loved, which was entertaining a rodeo crowd. The PRCA, America's largest rodeo association, took to Instagram to recognize Kerr as one of the greatest there was.

Calling him "One of the best to ever step foot in an arena," PRCA shared, "Our thoughts are with the family of Bobby Kerr. The Five-time PRCA Specialty Act of the Year, passed away Friday after a battle with cancer."

How a Kid From Canada Became a Rodeo Legend

Even if you're not a rodeo fan, there's probably a chance you've heard the name "Bobby Kerr" from somewhere. The cowboy was known for featuring trained horses and dogs in many of his performances, creating a family-friendly show that kept viewers entertained. He was also known for founding the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, which preserves and honors Texas Western culture.

Originally born in Ontario, Canada, Kerr always felt he had "a calling" to be a cowboy. At the age of 14, he left his family and home to pursue his dreams of being in the rodeo. Let's just say it didn't take long for those dreams to become a reality.

When asked what made him wanna be a cowboy in an interview with Cowboy Channel, Kerr shared this. "First [thing] was Rory Rogers," he spoke of the rodeo star who made him want to be a cowboy. "He was my hero...I wanted to be just like him." But the legend admitted, "I wasn't originally thinking rodeo, I was thinking more horse trainer."

Now, with 5 PRCA Specialty Acts of the Year awards under his belt, it's ironic that the kid who just wanted to train horses is one of the most well-known rodeo stars out there. Gone at 67, Bobby Kerr will be greatly missed, but his legacy and story will live on to inspire future rodeo stars to come.

Photo by: Kevin Sullivan/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images