Quail Dobbs
Rodeo Clown, Barrel Man, & Bullfighter
1941-2014
Marvin “Quail” Dobbs was born in Albany, Texas on August 27, 1941, to Acie and Avis Dobbs. They moved around many times during his childhood, moving to Colorado City in the late 1950s. When Quail graduated from high school, the "rodeo bug" had already bitten. Quail tried assorted rodeo jobs including riding bareback horses and bulls, but it was not paying off too well. In 1962 in Buffalo Minnesota, the barrel man didn't show up, so Quail stepped in...and the rest is history.
Quail was named PRCA Clown of the Year in 1978 and 1988, and the Coors' "Man-in-the-Can" in 1985, ‘86, ‘90, and ‘93. He has the distinction of being one of only three men to work the NFR as a bullfighter and rodeo barrel man. He was chosen to work the Texas Circuit Finals, the Dodge National Circuit Finals, the Wrangler Bullfight Tours Final, and 28 times for Cheyenne Frontier Days. Quail worked the West of the Pecos Rodeo, El Paso, Houston, Cheyenne, Big Spring, Abilene, and Jasper for many, many years.
Quail married Judy, his high school sweetheart in 1964. They have two children, Stephanie Rotan and Coley Dobbs, four grandchildren Reagan, Shelby, Keegan, and Serena, and two twin great-grandchildren. Quail has always rodeoed and had to be away from home for weeks on end, but the family has always been very close. When his family could go with him they traveled all over the United States and Canada.
In 1998, Quail made his last performance during Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and the 1998 West of the Pecos Rodeo Souvenir Program was dedicated to him. Quail served as the Howard County, Texas Justice of the Peace until he passed away on January 15, 2014, at the age of 73.