PRORODEO Sports News - July 2, 2026

RECENT PASSINGS

PRCA GOLD CARD MEMBER/TIE-DOWN ROPER MARK VIVODA PASSES AWAY BY PRCA STAFF

PRCA Gold Card member Mark Vivoda of Pueblo, Colo., born on Dec. 14, 1937 passed away on June 12, 2026, at the age of 88. He is survived by Ethel Vivoda, wife, teacher, barrel racer, and his caregiver for many years, along with son, Mark (Karen) grandchildren Mark Justin and Shannon, and daughter, Marla; deceased brother, Richard (Alice), and many living niec es and nephews. Leaving the Navy, he played foot ball and baseball through his college career and made it to Triple A for the San Francisco Giants; but rodeo called to him. Vivoda made his first horse trailer in high school. The same trailer carried him to an early win in his hometown college rodeo in Pueb lo. He won the calf roping and the all-around titles. At certain times, he mounted out a lot of notable ropers, including ProRodeo Hall of Famers Dean Oliver, Tom Ferguson, and multiple time National Finals Rodeo qualifier Rusty Sewalt, on his well known rope horse Brownie. At the height of his career and winning money at Denver, Cheyenne, and Calgary, Cowboy Mark Vivoda tied for the long go at Cheyenne in 1971. Vivoda chose not to buddy and fly with Dean Oliver. He chose to take his family with him to the rodeos. The decision made him miss many rodeo

opportunities to add to his earnings. He never said a word. He could be seen with his wife and kids fishing at stops along the way or tour ing museums and National Parks. The cowboy’s side hustle included selling Phil Lyne’s trailers, as well as ropes that he tied and additionally, hand braided equipment. When it came to benevo lence, Mark Vivoda chose to give Roy Cooper one of his first PRCA ropes rather than charging him. The two remained friends for life. He and his wife Ethel also sold turquoise jewelry that he acquired from his roping colleagues and friends. Mark and Ethel’s partnership last ed for 63 years.

Still, while he had his giving side, he had a tough demeanor with a can-do attitude. Neighbor and stock con tractor, Harry Vold once said, “That rancher is one tough cowboy that nobody messes with.” In the last part of his life, he and his grandchildren, Mark Justin and Shan non raised and sold hay alongside Ethel and his son, Mark E (Karen). He loved farming and ranching in the mountains of Colorado.

Most impressively, while achieving Gold Card Status, the lifetime career in the rodeo world, he was trying to concentrate, compete, and run his business, but continually made time for all. For example, in Deadwood, S.D., Ethel’s home state, his kids identified him as a bandit robbing the stagecoach in the side act. While Ethel took care of the children, Mark E, and Marla; Mark J. and family roped all over the country in his rodeo rig.

July 2, 2026 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE 59