Rowdy, 50, was born in Meeker, Colorado, on Aug. 3, 1972, to the late
Eddie and Carol Atwood. Rowdy earned a diploma from Meeker High School
and achieved one of his greatest accomplishments by winning the Team
Roping with partner Joel Kidd Prall at the National High School Rodeo
Finals in 1990. He attended Lamar Community College for both a higher
education and rodeo, but mostly to rodeo. It was rodeos and roping that
brought him lifelong friends and the love of his life. Rowdy married
Christy Atwood on June 4, 1994. They later welcomed two children who
were his prized possessions.
Rowdy was a beloved husband, father, poppy and friend. Not a single
day went by that he didn't have a smile on his face, it was simply
contagious. He was a lifelong cowboy, and he was beyond grateful for
everything he had. He had the biggest heart and cared so deeply about
everyone around him. Rowdy never let you leave or say goodbye without
telling you how much he loved you. He never missed an opportunity to
crack a joke, or to tell you which hill he killed that big animal on.
Hunting, roping, camping, fishing, golfing, taking rides in the side by
side, being at the arena and watching westerns and MASH were some of the
things he enjoyed. Most of all, he treasured his family and friends.
Rowdy is survived by his wife Christy, his two children Bailey
Waldref (spouse Jarett Waldref) and Kash Atwood, two grandchildren Koy
and Tate Waldref, sister Shona Richardson and brother-in-law Tiger
Richardson, and many nieces and nephews.
