2020 Working Ranch Cowboy Award to be Presented to Arlon Baize

The Texas Cowboy Reunion was organized in 1930 for the purpose of preserving the traditions of the early-day ranch country and to honor ranch cowboys that served as the foundation for the development of the Cattle Industry in Texas.

In 2001, the Texas Cowboy Reunion officially initiated a means of recognizing and honoring these individuals who pursued a lifetime career as working ranch cowboys.

This year, the Texas Cowboy Reunion takes great pleasure in honoring Mr. Arlon Baize. Please join us on July 4th, 2020 as the Working Ranch Cowboy Award will be presented to him during Saturday night’s rodeo performance.

Arlon Baize is a lifelong rancher who was born on October 10, 1941 to Novel and Vida Baize. He grew up with his brothers, Wayne Baize and Paige Baize. Wayne is known as the Cowboy Artist of America.  

Mr. Baize’s life calling was to be a working ranch cowboy. Over the better part of his life, he has devoted himself entirely to that purpose.

He grew up attending the Texas Cowboy Reunion. He remembers dressing up and going to sit at the Methodist Church to watch the big Grand Parade. He enjoyed watching the HSU Cowboy band march down the street. His family would then go to the rodeo, becoming some of his favorite life memories. While he never was an Arena Cowboy, he has great respect for them and has always enjoyed watching calf roping and double mugging at the Texas Cowboy Reunion.

Arlon went to Hamlin High School until the 10th grade. Following graduation from Wylie High School, he worked 3 years for a lumber store. He started day working the Guitar Ranch in Abilene. He and his brother later bought land in Baird where he worked cattle for 40 years while still doing day work for the Guitar Ranch.

Arlon competed in many Ranch Rodeos with the Guitar Ranch including the Haskell’s Wild Horse Prairie Days and the Western Heritage in Abilene. He and his team won the Western Heritage in 2003 and 2004.

Arlon and his brother sold their land and cattle near Baird and purchased land near Sagerton in Haskell County where he currently lives. He still does day work and really enjoys watching the younger generations learn the cowboy way of life. If you ever wondered if there is a shortage on good young working cowboys (and cowgirls), he says just hang around the Lamb family.

Through the years, Arlon has had the privilege of working with some pretty well known top cowboys. While he has never known himself to be one, his life story tells us differently. He has spent his life working as a cowboy, a true hard-working cowboy. He never married or had kids, but he has many friends who he considers family and he enjoys spending time with his brothers and their families.

Arlon is honored to be presented with such a prestigious award.