Burk, Barry

Barry Burk, a 17-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, has been described as the greatest tie-down roper who never won a world championship. He was reserve champion from 1967-73 and 1975, as well as finishing in third place three times. Born into a rodeo family, Burk traveled the circuit as a youngster with his father. He competed in junior and collegiate rodeo in bareback riding and tie-down roping. Burk was the American Junior Rodeo Association all-around champion from 1957-61 and won titles in tie-down roping five times and steer wrestling three times. Burk, born Jan. 11, 1942, in Duncan, Okla., said, “I enjoyed rodeoing, always have and always will. If I should die tomorrow, people can come to my funeral and say, ‘Well, old Barry enjoyed it while he was here.’” He was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1994.