Longtime PRCA Rodeo Announcer Mike Mathis Passes Away
Mike Mathis, a rodeo announcer for nearly 50 years and the 2015 Justin Committeeman of the Year, passed away on Dec. 13. He was 75.
Mathis was born August 13, 1948, in Lufkin, Texas, to the late K.P. “Red” and Hazel (Weems) Mathis. He passed away surrounded by his family at Dignity Health St. Rose Dominican Hospital Las Vegas, Nev. Mathis was in Las Vegas working at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the time of his passing.
Mathis was born and raised in Lufkin and earned a business administration degree in finance at Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, Texas). He later went to the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and received a master’s degree in finance.
Mathis began his professional career as a banker with Lufkin National Bank where he became Executive Vice President and particularly enjoyed helping people in the community. In 1976, he was named Coordinator of the Angelina Benefit Rodeo where he soon became known as “Mr. Rodeo.” He began announcing rodeos professionally in the late 1970s obtaining his PRCA card in 1983.
In 1989, he traded in his business suit for a cowboy hat and a full-time rodeo career. Since then, he has announced rodeos across the United States, served as a member of the PRCA Executive Council, a member of the NFR Committee, a member of the PRCA Board of Directors, a PRCA Contract Personnel Representative and a member of the PRCA Texas Circuit Board of Directors. He loved getting to know the people and committee members in the communities where he announced, and he built lifetime friendships. His love for rodeo and his memorable voice have left a resounding echo in the history of rodeo.
Mathis never lost sight of the importance of his hometown. Through Lions Club and a host of other organizations he was involved in, he was committed to doing anything he could to help make Lufkin and Angelina County better. And his heart always had a special place for his hometown rodeo, the Angelina Benefit Rodeo, the “The Greatest Show on Dirt.” While rodeo was undoubtedly important to him, it never out shadowed his love for his family. His greatest joy came from watching his grandchildren growing up and pursuing their passions.
“Getting involved with (the Angelina Benefit Rodeo) has given me so many opportunities,” Mathis said in a Nov. 20, 2015, article in the ProRodeo Sports News. “It’s a pretty amazing thing. I take a tremendous amount of pride in this rodeo. I look at this rodeo like my own business, and there’s a lot of charitable work that has come from this rodeo. We’ve helped support some really amazing charities here (in Lufkin) and we were also instrumental in building the Angelina County Expo Center – not only building it but funding it and continuing to support it. I’m so proud of that.”
Mathis was the announcer at the National Finals Steer Roping in 2002-2003 and 2006. He was also behind the microphone for the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in 1998 and 2010; and the RAM Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo from 1991-2014. He was inducted into the inducted into Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2013.
Survivors include his wife, Shan Harvell Mathis; sons and daughters-in-law, Kirk and Donna Mathis; Todd and Stefani Mathis; grandchildren, Madison Kassaw and husband Tanner, Peyton Mathis, K.P. Mathis, Presley Mathis, Paisley Mathis; great-grandson, Weston Kassaw; bonus son, Jacob Moorehead; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sherry and Steve Roper, Martha and Ken Mears; sisters-in-law, Barbara Mathis, Sherry Brooks; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, along with a wealth of friends.
Mathis was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Susan (Rutherford) Mathis; brother, Peyton Mathis; and niece, Lauralyn Mathis Hilliard.
Memorial services for Mathis took place Dec. 22. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mike Mathis Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Commercial Bank of Texas, 600 S. 1st Street, Lufkin, Texas, 75901; Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, 101 Pro Rodeo Drive, Colorado Springs, Colo., 80919; Angelina Benefit Rodeo, P.O. Box 161, Lufkin, Texas, 75902; or the organization of your choice.
Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.
Courtesy of PRCA