Ronnye L. Sewalt

Champion Calf & Steer Roper
1941-1994

Ronnye L. Sewalt was born on March 31, 1941, in Brooksmith, Texas.  From day one he had dreams of following in his Dad’s footsteps and being a professional calf roper.   His parents were Royce and Myra Sewalt. His dad was the 1946 RCA World Champion Calf Roper.  Ronnye’s sister, LaTonne, was quite a horsewoman and was the World Champion Barrel Racer in 1950 & 1954. 

            Ronnye finished high school in Bridgeport, Texas in 1959.  He was on the All-State Basketball at Afton, Oklahoma in 1958.  After school Sewalt hit the rodeo trail and never looked back.

     Ronnye was one of only 4 left-handed ropers and was a 16 times National Finals Rodeo Qualifier.  When entered in the West of the Pecos Rodeo, Sewalt competed in both calf roping and steer roping, winning and placing many, many times in both events.

     Ronnye married Joy Frances Braden and together they had two sons, Rusty and Ryan.  He passed away on September 14, 1994 at the age of 53 and is buried at Chico, Texas.  Ronnye L. Sewalt was posthumously inducted into the Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame.