ProRodeo Sports News - June 10, 2022

November 1976 with a time of 2.7 seconds. Merrill was

After his time serving, he went to work as a rough neck in Illinois. Riding the waves of the oil field, Gipson built a successful career with Calvert Drilling, and eventually became president of Calvert Western. After 35

Merrill

PASSAGES

JIMMY ROSS POWERS

born in Sioux Falls, S.D., on

Jimmy Ross Powers (aka “Silver and later known as “Pops”) passed away on May 15, in San Antonio, Texas. He was 79. Powers served 36 years on the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Powers

June 14, 1934, to George and Edna

(Hink) Merrill. He was baptized April 6, 1941, at First Methodist Church in Sioux Falls. Merrill graduated fromWashington High School (Sioux Falls) in 1952. Following high school, Merrill was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash. While in the Army, Merrill produced a military rodeo on the base. After being honorably discharged from military service, Merrill completed farrier training (horse shoeing) in Sturgis, S.D. Merrill was also employed by the Iseman Corporation in Sioux Falls and then later with Midwest Coast Trucking. In 1962, he married Alyce Wieme. Don and Alyce would have been married 60 years in June. While operating the registered quarter horse U-Bar Ranch in Canistota, S.D., Merrill was instrumental in bringing the first Gelbvieh cattle into the United States fromGermany. During the years on the ranch, Merrill spent his days caring, traveling, and showing award- winning horses and Gelbvieh cattle. After 15 years, they left the ranch. Don and Alyce then bought and managed the Best Western U-Bar Motel in Canistota until January of 1997. Thirteen years later they sold the motel and moved back to Sioux Falls. Merrill continued to sell commercial real estate in Sioux Falls creating many close friendships along the way. Merrill is survived by his wife of 59 years, Alyce; children, Nancy (Mark) Gerdes, Donna Merrill Nelson, Jeff (Tracey) Merrill and Jamie (Gregg) Merrill Moores. Seventeen grandchildren also bless their lives. Merrill was preceded in death by his parents, George, and Edna (Hink) Merrill, stepmother Katherine Merrill, siblings Robert, Shirley, Beverly, and son-in-lawMichael Nelson. Merrill is also preceded in death by his best friend, Jack McElrath. In lieu of flowers, all memorials received by the family will be directed towards the ongoing medical/rehab care of an SDSU rodeo teammember and McCrossan Boys Ranch. TomGipson, a PRCA Gold Card member and steer roper, passed away on April 13 in Eaton, Colo. He was 91. After completing the 10th grade, Tom joined the Wheat Harvest, and soon after joined the U.S. Military. TOM GIPSON

Gipson

years at Calvert, Gipson endeavored his own path in the oil industry and started his first company. During this time, he began inventing new ways to drill with coiled tubing, which led to 16 U.S. patents. Gipson’s success in the oil field allowed him to pursue his lifelong interest in horses, and he learned to rope. Rodeo became Gipson’s passion, steer roping in particular. As evidence of his grit, strength, and determination, in 2007 at age 76, Gipson was given the title as the oldest man to win PRCAmoney at the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days rodeo. Ernie Gipson, Tom’s son, qualified for the National Finals Steer Roping in 1979, and finished 10th in the world standings. The elder Gipson was an avid steer roping contestant and rodeo supporter. Gibson is survived by his beloved wife, Carol, his daughter Nickey (Darrel) McKay, stepdaughter, Toni (Denny) Karre and stepson Scott (Lynn) Laramore. Gipson was preceded in death by his sons, Eddie, and Ernie Gipson. A Celebration for Tom’s Life will be held at the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days Event Center on June 16, from 1-5 p.m. The family is asking for those who plan to attend to RSVP online at chutehelp.com/tom. Donations can be made in TomGipson’s honor to austism.org A Celebration of Life for Greg Doering, a PRCA bullfighter and rodeo clown, that passed away March 20th, take place in St. Paul, Ore., on July 16. It will begin at 2 p.m. (PT) at The Bullpen, 4258 Park Ave. NE, St. Paul, Ore., 97137. GREG DOERING

Committee and served 12 years as the Texas Circuit Director and President. Jimmy Ross was born July 7, 1942, inWinters,

Texas, to Milford Louis and Eleanor Marzee (Williams) Powers. After the death of Jimmy’s mother at an early age, Louis eventually moved his family to Sonora, Texas. Powers attended Sonora High School and went on to marry Allison Espy in 1964. He was a top salesman and became a full partner at Bruton Trailer Sales in San Angelo, Texas. He then worked at Ken Braden Motors and Ranch in Sonora, Texas, also becoming a part owner. After the loss of Allison in 1993, Powers immersed himself in the rodeo world carrying many cowboys to victory on his horses. Powers produced two AQHAWorld Championship Steer Wrestling Horses: Yellow Dog and Bad Motor Scooter. Powers went on to serve 36 years on the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Committee and served 12 years as the Texas Circuit Director and President. Powers retired from the rodeo trail in 2005. Powers is preceded in death by his parents Marzee and Louis Powers; his second mother Jayne Kiser Powers, his late wife Allison Espy Powers, and his brother Milford D (Mickey) Powers. He is survived by his wife Rebecca Ramsey Powers, son James Houston Powers, brother Zane Powers, sisters Nancy ( John) Plumley, Pam Powers, Trina ( Jim) Hadley, grandson SamHouston Powers, mother-in-law Sammie Espy, bonus daughters Wendy (Rob) Mason and Robin (Steele) Montague, bonus grandchildren Mattye, Mckenna, and Gage Mason. He is also survived by many special nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and close family friends. In lieu of flowers, send donations to the West Texas Boys Ranch and Cowboy Crisis Fund, or a charity of your choice in memoriam of Jimmy Powers. Donald Lee Merrill, a PRCA Gold Card Member and steer wrestler, passed away April 26. He was 87. He finished atop the steer wrestling standings in the Kiwanis Benefit Rodeo in DONALD LEE MERRILL

PRCA NOTES

ARRIVALS

CHARLIE JO BROOKS

A girl, born June 3 to PRCAWrangler National Finals Rodeo-qualifying saddle bronc rider Chase Brooks

and his girlfriend Cara Spirazza, of Anaconda, Mont. She weighed six pounds, seven ounces and was 20½ inches long. This is the couple’s first child. Brooks

ProRodeo Sports News 5/27/2022

ProRodeo.com

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