Blanco’s own “Leon” Coffee has added another honor to his growing list of lifetime achievements. Last Thursday, Jan. 15, the famed Rodeo Clown, Barrelman and Bullfighter was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in Ft. Worth along with World Champion Cowboy, Larry Mahan, Chris Cox and Johnny Trotter. Induction into Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed on individuals who have shown excellence in competition, business, and support of rodeo and the western lifestyle in Texas. The Hall of Fame is a museum whose past honorees include such names as: Nolan Ryan, Tommy Lee Jones, Trevor Brazile, Don Edwards, George Strait, Lane Frost, Ty Murray, Barry Corbin, Red Steagall, Tuff Hedeman, J.J. Hampton (17 time PWRA World Champion), Charmayne James, and Don Gay (8 time RCA World Champion Bull Rider). Each of the inductees has their own individual booth containing personal memorabilia for museum visitors to view.
Coffee, who was born in Blanco in 1954 and raised in Austin, has been a horseman and rodeo performer since he was a small child. His Father, “Luke”, taught Leon and his cousin, another famous Blanco personality - champion calf roper and horse trainer, Lawrence Coffee- the fundamentals of horsemanship and training that they have carried with them throughout their lives. In fact, Leon still owns a 40 year old Jenny, named “Matilda”, that he trained for his rodeo act and entertained thousands of fans for more than 35 years, though she is retired these days. The act was called “Hippie Motorcycle”!
Leon has been a lifetime ‘Gold Card’ member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) since 1973. He has appeared on TV, documentaries, and movies (“8 Seconds”, “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” and “Jericho”) throughout his career. But perhaps his most lasting achievements have been his participation in charity events and visiting and entertaining children in hospitals and schools around the country while participating in local rodeos.
Wearing his green hat, multi-colored shirt, and Wrangler baggies, Coffee is most recognized and best known for his crowd-pleasing performances as a Rodeo Clown, Barrelman and Bullfighter. While protecting cowboys has been his primary job, entertaining and making the fans laugh is his forte. He has appeared in thousands of rodeos around the United States. Locally, he has performed in the San Antonio Rodeo for 32 years and the Houston Rodeo for more than 20 years, along with multiple smaller local rodeos throughout Texas. He has received numerous honors in his 40+ year career. Among the highlights have been his selection to participate in the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, NV six times, being named PRCA Clown of the Year in 1983, and honored for his sense of humor and entertainment by being nominated as one of the top three candidates for Clown of the Year from 1984-2001. In 2004 he was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in Belton, Texas for his more than 30 years of service to the rodeo industry.
Regarding his induction into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, Coffee commented: “This honor is one of the most humbling and exciting I have ever received. To be in the same category as George Strait, Nolan Ryan, Don Gay and others (previous Hall of Fame inductees) is beyond my greatest expectations. I thank the Texas Hall of Fame for honoring my life’s work and contributions to Texas and our Western Heritage.”
2 photos attached to this article.
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