‘Windy’ Ryon was born to the ranch life just a few miles from the Fort Worth Stockyards. His rodeo career stunted by a calf roping accident, Ryon spent nearly 30 years running a popular cowboy hat and western wear business in the Stockyards. A Memorial roping event was established in his honor the year after his death. Today the Windy Ryon Memorial Roping is one of the largest and most respected events on the rodeo circuit.