IN THE NEWS WPRA World Champion and ProRodeo Hall of Famer Sherry Johnson Passes Away By Ann Bleiker
Longtime NFRTimed Event Chute boss John Farris passed away Friday, August 4, at Duncan Regional Hospital, at
With heavy hearts the WPRA announces the passing of Sherry (Combs) Johnson. Johnson of Addington, Oklahoma, passed away on August 2, 2023, at the Duncan (OK) Regional Hospital after her battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Johnson recently completed the family trifecta on July 15 when she joined the ProRodeo Hall of Fame alongside her world champion horse Star Plaudit “Red,” who earned induction in 2017 and her sister Florence Youree, who was inducted as part of the Class of 2019 in the notable category for the WPRA. During Johnson’s WPRA career she qualified for 12 National Finals Rodeos, the first coming in 1959 at the first GRA (predecessor to the WPRA) Finals in Clayton, N.M. and the last in 1991 under the bright lights of Las Vegas, a span of four decades (1959-68, 1970, 1991).
the age of 95. John was born March 21, 1928, in Iowa Park, Texas. On May 31, 1955, John married fellow rodeo contestant Mildred Cotten Farris and the two eventually made their home on the Farris Family’s Ranch outside of Addington, Oklahoma. Mildred passed away May of 2013. Joining the RCA in 1959, John rode saddle bronc, bulls, bareback, roped and even did a little steer wrestling. Riding rough stock till the age of 44, when most would hang up their spurs John transitioned to working behind the scenes. From 1967 until 2011, he worked every National Finals Rodeo in some capacity. Most notably as the timed-event chute boss and he staked of the barrel-racing each year. He was named Texas Circuit Man of the Year in 1997,
and inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2006, along with Mildred. Both were inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, in 2004. In June 2023, John was awarded the Ring of Honor by the Gladewater Roundup Rodeo. In 1999, he was named the WPRA Outstanding Individual. Funeral service for John Allen Farris will be at 10:30 on Wednesday, August 9 at the First Baptist Church of Waurika, Oklahoma with Mike Bates and Mike Mathis officiating. A burial will follow at Waurika Cemetery under the direction of Dudley Funeral Home; visitation will be held at the Dudley Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday evening. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Rodeo Historical Society Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, or National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Ft. Worth, Texas, or to American Cancer Society.
She won her first WPRA world title in 1961 in the all-around category, but the highlight of her career would come in 1962 when she won the barrel racing world title aboard Star Plaudit “Red.” Star Plaudit holds a very unique record in the world of professional rodeo, one that is not likely to ever be duplicated. The sorrel gelding won two World Championships in the sport in a single year and contributed to a third, at the age of 12. Red carried his owner Johnson to the GRA World title in the barrel racing and close family friend Tom Nesmith to the RCA world title in the steer wrestling and helped the Oklahoman also claim the RCA All Around championship, all in 1962. While Red is considered Johnson’s once-in-a-lifetime horse, she also trained six other horses that carried her to the NFR and an additional three that carried other competitors to the “super bowl” of rodeo. Johnson gave back to the WPRA serving on the Board of Directors from 1963-1971, including a stint as the Vice President. She was named Coca-Cola Woman of the Year in 1997 and was inducted into the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City in 2005. Johnson would have turned 85 on August 16.
8 WPRA NEWS AUGUST 2023
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online