Jim Davis
World Champion Steer Roper
1956-Living
Jim Davis was born on June 3, 1956, in Ponca City, Oklahoma. At age 7 he competed in his first rodeo. Jim attended Ponca City schools in Oklahoma, joined the PRCA at 17, and received rodeo scholarships from Casper Junior College in Wyoming and the University of Southern Colorado in Pueblo.
In 1977 at 21 years of age, Jim began his "Rodeo Days" at the West of the Pecos Rodeo. Over the years he became the West of the Pecos Rodeo Champion Steer Roper twice and won many times in calf roping, wild cow milking, and team roping.
Davis was the World Champion Steer Roper in 1985 and 1986 and qualified for the steer roping finals many times and was the finals average champ. In his more than 28-year rodeo career, he won both Cheyenne and Pendleton, twice. Qualifying for the NFR 19 times, Jim trailed only Guy Allen (2006 TRHoF Inductee) with 30 and Arnold Felts (2005 TRHoF Inductee) with 20 qualifications.
Jim and his wife, Lezlie have three children, Bryce, Samantha, and Sheridan. His dad, Merle made the NFR in 1959 and his son Bryce competed in steer roping at the West of the Pecos Rodeo and was "Top 5" in the nation in that event. Jim and his father-in-law, Jimmy McNeil formed a partnership as a horse trainer and steer roping contractors.