By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter - Photo courtesy of Canadian Pro Rodeo Association

Famous Rodeo Stock Contractor Passes Away at 70

Feb 3, 2016 | 9:50 AM

MAGRATH – One of Canada’s biggest names in rodeo passed away on Monday.

Greg Kesler died of an apparent heart attack at his family’s ranch in Magrath, at 70-years old.

The family is from Lethbridge and surrounding area. They also run another ranch in Helena, Montana.

Representative for the Canadian Pro Rodeo Association, Katy Lucas, passed on the organization’s condolences. “The Kesler name itself is enough to write a whole dictionary on how to run rodeo and be stock contractors… We at the CPRA really just send our deepest condolences to [the family], and hope that they know they have the rodeo family behind them, as well.”

Reg Kesler, who passed away in 2001, started Kesler Championship Rodeo in 1950. Greg branched off in 1974 starting Kesler Rodeo. He eventually bought his father’s card in 1994 and continued the business with son, Duane.

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Greg produced two “Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year” honorees during his career, among numerous other awards and honours.

Recently, Kesler Rodeo provided four bareback horses, one saddle bronc horse and a bull for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in December.

Funeral arrangements have been made for Monday, February 8 at 1-PM, at the West Pavilion of Exhibition Park. Wayne Brooks will officiate.