NIXA, Mo. – Joe Garretson, a professional bullfighter who won numerous awards in a career that spanned over the past couple of decades, died Monday, Jan. 19, 2010, at his home. He was 37.
His funeral will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday at Murray Funeral Home in Bolivar, Mo. Interment will be in the Humansville (Mo.) Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Garretson was recognized as one of the best protection bullfighters in the Midwest and qualified for the Professional Bullfighters Daisy Protection Bullfight World Championships in 2007-2008. He and partner Brandt Clark won the finale in 2007 and finished the season as the reserve world champion team.
“Joe was a pretty strong-willed guy,” said Cory Wall of Calhan, Colo., who partnered with Garretson for the 2008 PBF finale. “He did things his way, and that’s pretty respectable. He did things the way he felt was right.”
“As far as fighting bulls, he always had a smile on his face. I don’t think I can recall anytime that he wasn’t smiling and enjoying what he was doing. It was contagious.”
He was also a bullfighting instructor for Sankey Rodeo Schools and was a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Professional Bull Riders, where he had established himself as one of the top bullfighters in the sport.
“Joe was probably one of the toughest guys I have ever met,” said Andy Burelle of Ardmore, Okla., also a professional bullfighter and two-time PBF world champion with partner Dusty Tuckness. “It didn’t matter what kind of injury he had – a broken arm, broken ribs, whatever – he just kept coming back and coming back. He went through a lot of adversity and always came back with a smile on his face and a good attitude.”
Since he started his career more than a decade ago, he has been the IPRA’s Southern Regional Bullfighter of the year in 2004 and the American Cowboys Rodeo Association Bullfighter of the Year in 2005 and 2006.
“He was a good teacher of kids and a good father,” Burelle said.
Jody Wayne “Joe” Garretson was born Dec. 13, 1972, in Humansville, Mo., to Jerry and Elaine (Sayre) Garretson. Joe owned and operated Garretson and Sons Concrete Construction Co. in Springfield.
Survivors include three children, Ty, Kaytlynn and Cole; his parents, Jerry Garretson and wife, Debbie, Bolivar, and Elaine Cler and husband, Ed, Gifford, Ill.; his fiancé, Summer Skinner; one brother, Jeff Graves, Gifford, Ill.; two sisters, April Raymond and husband, Brandon, Bolivar, and Nikki Harden and husband, Aaron, of Ozark; one uncle, Steve Garretson, Bolivar; three aunts, Jeanie Lovewell, Osceola, Clarinda Sayre, Lee’s Summit and Beverly Sellers, Liberty; a host of cousins; and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the trust fund for the children at Mid-Missouri Bank may be sent to Murray Funeral Home, P.O. Box 506, Bolivar, MO 65613.
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