Photo courtesy of the City of Carlsbad.
Carlsbad Hall of Fame to induct hometown rodeo legend Gary Tucker
Rodeo legend Gary Tucker will be inducted into the Carlsbad Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Carlsbad Museum on July 28 at 11 a.m., according to Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway in his newsletter. Gary passed away on Dec. 9, 2019 at the age of 74, per his obituary in the Carlsbad Current-Argus.
Local legend Tucker was not only born in Carlsbad but raised there too, and he was a leading professional rodeo competitor throughout the 1960s and 1970s, said the mayor.
Tucker achieved global recognition as the 1969 world champion in Pro Rodeo Bareback Riding and was the reserve champion in 1970. The rodeo star also bears the distinction of achieving the highest bareback riding score ever. Tucker additionally made rodeo equipment for two decades, and following that time, became an oilfield pumper, said Mayor Janway.
“Gary’s family still lives in the area and was a big help with preparing the exhibit,” the mayor said, adding that “The employees of the Carlsbad Museum did a great job putting this exhibit together.”
The Carlsbad Museum is located at 418 West Fox St. in Carlsbad, NM.
Photo provided courtesy of his family.
