ArizonaRealCountry.com 9 May 2018 THE ARIZONA DUUUDE Louis L'Amour said we live life going forward, we understand it looking back. Well, Chuck Henson has a lot to proudly look back on. He was born in Arcadia, Florida on February 4th, 1931. Just after Chuck was born the family packed up and returned to their home in Red Lodge, Montana. Chuck was given a pony he named “Blue Rocket", and he practiced riding and roping at an early age mainly because his parents were rodeo people. His dad Charlie Henson had a job with the railroad, worked rodeos whenever he could, and was a longtime top steer wrestler. His mother Margie (Greenbaugh) Henson rode saddle broncs, did trick riding, and competed in rodeos with her sister, Alice, and brothers Bill, and Turk. His mother Margie, was the last World Champion Lady bronc rider, under her maiden name Marge Greenbaugh. Chuck steer wrestled like his dad, then went onto bareback and saddle broncs. He didn't like the idea of getting on a bull, but it paid more money. When Chuck graduated from high school in 1950 he won the Montana High School All-Around Cowboy of the Year title. Then the family moved to Tucson, Arizona following the doctor’s advice that his mother move to a warmer climate due to a spot on her lung. In 1953 Chuck joined the National Guard for two years then the Army and he was honorably discharged in 1955. Check used his G.I. Bill to attend the University of Arizona and while there he played football and participated in rodeos. When he was competing at a rodeo near the Mexican border in 1956, Chuck heard they couldn't afford a rodeo clown, so he offered to help. He had done some clowning in high school so donning some baggy pants, greasepaint, and topping it off with a shaggy wig, he stepped out to meet the bulls. Swanny Kirby the stock contractor was impressed with Chuck and offered him a job. Chuck was to stick with Swanny for nearly six years before moving on but before WE move on let’s note some of his accomplishments and awards. Montana Sports Hall of Fame, Montana High School All-Around Cowboy of the Year, Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, Cowboy Hall of Fame, and many more, plus a member of the Cowboys’ Turtle Association. Wait, The Cowboys’ Turtle Association? What is that? Turtles and rodeo? In 1930 at Miller's 101 Ranch in Ponca City, Oklahoma it rained on their rodeo, I mean it really rained. When it rains heavy in Oklahoma everyone heads for high ground, including turtles. Turtles started showing up all over the rodeo grounds. The rain nearly canceled the event until someone said let’s race turtles instead of horses. There were a thousand entries, most of which went around in circles. But a turtle named “Goober Dust" headed straight to the finish line winning his owner $7,100 for 1st place. There was an organization created in 1936, The Cowboys’ Turtle Association. The group started when cowboys collectively walked out of the rodeo at Boston Gardens to protest the rodeo promoter W.T. Johnson, who refused to add cowboy’s entry fees to the rodeos total purse. Johnson gave in to their demands and the Cowboys’ Turtle Association was started. The name comes from the facts that even though they were slow to organize when the time came they weren't afraid to stick their necks out. Chuck had also been making a name for himself in the movie industry. Chuck got his SAG, (Screen Actors Guild), card while working with John Wayne on El Dorado, released in 1966. “I worked with John Wayne quite a bit, he was a nice guy, and so were Robert Mitchum, and Steve McQueen.” I also doubled for James Coburn and Slim Pickens in a movie called “The Honkers" where the rodeo clown breaks his neck. Chuck also wrecked wagons, did stunt falls from horses, and even drove in car chases for shows like “Mod Squad.” He played himself in a documentary called the “The Ridin’ Greenoughs", which covered the story of his mother Alice, Bill and Turk, all of whom had roles in the documentary, narrated by Rex Allen. Chuck and Nancy live in Tucson and commute to their ranch near Wilcox, Arizona. Their two children, Nancy Jane, and Leigh Ann live nearby. Leigh Ann’s husband, Eric Billingsly, is a former saddle bronc riding champion in the GCPRA. Chuck helps Nancy Jane and her husband, Jerry Dorencamp, raise bucking horses for their, Salt River Rodeo Company. Chuck says, “It made me feel mighty good when some kid who had drawn a bad bull would say, boy, I'm glad to see you here.” Now I watch Leigh Ann’s girls, Kaylee and Rayna, compete in the GCPRA. I'm pretty happy and I'm really proud of my family.” By Bob Roloff, “The Arizona Duuude” You can follow Bob Roloff on Facebook. Chuck Henson On Rodeos, Movies, And Turtle Races Above: Chuck Henson bull dogging Cowboy off of Nicodemus. Right: Autographed to Chuck from James Arness. Above Left: Autographed to Chuck from Brian Keith. Above Right: Chuck Henson bareback riding. Bottom: Chuck Henson, his daughter Nancy Jane and their famous dog Beatrice.