It was just 4 short years ago that we were working cattle and one of us did not go home.



His name was Marlin Waldrop and he had moved down here from Kansas to get away from working in the feedlots in the cold winters.
He was a cowboy his whole life. Worked on the Spade and Pitchfork in Texas a large cattle ranch with conditioning pens in Oklahoma and the cattle feedlots in Kansas.

He was a small and wiry man riding a young 14h horse that Friday and roping calves and bringing to us for marking, vaccinating and branding. We let a calf up that the rope got hung on one back leg and Marlin was flipping his rope trying to get it off. He leaned over to his right with his arm extended and the little horse he was on took a foul step and went down, rolling over on top of Marlin. One second we were laughing and kidding him about not being able to get the rope off and he was laughing with us and he was dead in the next second.

Don't ever take anything for granted and live every moment of your life as it is your last.
I hope when the end comes that you are doing what you love as Marlin was doing.

Maybe God needed a good cowboy that day

sorry to hear Cedar. Rip Marlin!

Rest in Peace Marlin.

Although I didn't know you I've known men like you R.I.P. Mr. Waldrop

AntiGov tnat was nice. And sorry for your loss it can happed quick as you said.......jk

Yes it was

RIP Marlin

We all should make the best of each day no matter how bad things might go .Life is precious and it can be snatched away from anyone in just one heart beat.

Thing's like that happens quickly a long time friend was doing the same thing dragging calves to the branding fire , he just rebuilt a loop and was turning his horse to get another of his calves , slumped over and was gone from a heart attack .

Enjoy each day and keep a smile on your face it makes people wonder what you're up to ha ha !

Straight up in the saddle,open sky up above, branding smoke in the air and my partners around me is the tune I want played for my last dance if the dj is taking requests

RIP cowboy

Dang sorry to hear about that. It's a stark reminder at just how dangerous working with animals can be. Be careful out there everyone.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Jerry had a tumble.on a horse that killed the horse and shattered his ankle. He'd be dead if he hadn't tried to jump

I'm real sorry for your loss

Here is a poem my daughter wrote in remembrance of her best friend, hope it helps to remember your friend.

How do they handle in heaven?
Are the bits all silver and the horses straight up?
Or are there outlaw strings that really can buck
Are they all soft and supple and easy to teach
Or do some make you pucker and lift while you reach

When you made it to the place he prepared for you
Was the cavvy on the ropes waiting for you?
Cause you know the boss mans got work to do
Did he pull you one that's got cow sense and grace, with a look that's intense but still pretty in the face
An old and trusty tried n true
Or was it just a youngster needin teachin like you used to do
Are they big enough to cover ground at a good pace
Would you call em tough?
Will they work the line the entire day through
No matter how many sicks you ask em to do

Is there one that's special that's got lots of try?
Something that's cowboy flashy that catches your eye
Does he go all day to prove he's worth his weight in salt
Until you pull your saddle at sundown and work drags to a halt
Does he give you high hopes that in years to come he'll carry a spade for the days work to be done
Or will you keep him a snaffle bit pony like your one down here?
The one your dad rides now that he holds so dear

And after you turn him loose when the day is all through
I know you too well and know theres fun to be had to
Do you find an honest man to open the gate
So you can spur one down till eight

Does he have nice buckin stock that crack n turn back
Some with power in their hock that really can rock
Do the Angels announce and get you pumped to nod your head
Did he give you a chunk of cloud to call your own spread
For you to call home and lay down your head

I can only imagine the life that you're livin
Hey Tater, how do they handle up there in Heaven?

4-7-96~1-18-15

T Beck 3/17/2016

A lot of knowing in those words NVW. That's for sharing