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Stephenville, Texas,
honored Jimmy Anderson in the 5th annual
“Cowboy Capital Walk of Fame” May 11th. A plaque, listing his credentials as a champion
bullfighter were unveiled in the Town Square.
This honor is a lasting tribute to the men and
women who have made a life commitment to enhancing our
western heritage.
On hand to witness the unveiling were
Anderson’s wife, Lou, and daughters, Brooke, age 21,
Shannon, age 19 and Keely, age 14.
Others honored were George Doak, also a former
bullfighter and rodeo clown, and Ethel Lewallen,
artist and wife of G. K. Lewallen, National Cowboy and
Western Heritage Hall of Fame Honoree.
Last October at the Professional Bull Riders
Finals Jimmy Anderson retired after 26 years in the
arena fighting bulls and saving cowboys.
Bull riders and fans were dismayed, as they had
appreciated his expertise and had become comfortable
knowing he was there to protect the ‘stars of this
extreme sport’ from injury.
Observing Anderson in front of the bucking
chutes one saw a bullfighter with a calm demeanor that
gave the illusion of a matter-of-fact, ho-hum attitude
– until the bull burst forth from the chute - then
he came alive! PBR
voted him the PBR Bud Light Cup Bullfighter of the
Year. The
familiar arena bull-savvy hero was honored for his
outstanding abilities as a bullfighter and PBR
announced his retirement in front of the
standing-room- only final performance.
He tipped his familiar purple hat to say
‘Thank you’ to his fans.
Some of Anderson’s
other bullfighting credentials were the Canadian
National Finals Bullfighter in 1977, ’79 and ’83,
the ProRodeo Cowboy Association National Finals
Bullfighter in 1983 and 1985, and Texas ProRodeo
Finals Bullfighter in 1983, ’85, ’95 and ’96.
Anderson has not been
idle since his retirement from bullfighting last fall.
He has completed an 8-stall horse barn, a shop,
and a half-mile long road and “a lot of new fence”
since then, on property he purchased near Dublin,
Texas. His
projects also include a 26’ x 40’ two-story
bunkhouse, which he is working on now and finalizing
plans for a 3328 square foot adobe house soon to be a
reality. “I’ve
hit my thumb a few times,” said the former
bull-baiter.
Anderson has not
found retirement dull. |
