James Pruett Espy, Sr.

James Pruett Espy, Sr., better known as “Big Jim”, was a well-known face at the West of the Pecos Rodeo for many years.

Jim first began competing at Pecos in the late 1930’s in both calf roping and team roping. Some of the men he competed against in calf roping were Walton Poage, Lefty Wilkins, Zeno Farris and Buddy Neal. He won more than he lost. Jim and his brother, Clay also had many matched Team Roping’s at Pecos.

Big Jim was born on May 26, 1910 at Fort Davis, Texas and passed away on October 29, 2001: All of his 91 years were spent as a cowboy.

The rest of Jim’s story is on display in the Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame in Pecos, Texas, where he was inducted in 2006.