Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame INDUCTEE 2014

Hubert Latimer “Tex” Smith (1921-2002)

Hubert Latimer Smith, known as “Tex,” was born January 21, 1921, at Amarillo, Texas, to Hubert L. Smith and Margaret (Williams) Smith. Tex was raised on the family’s ranch at Dillon, Montana. He worked as a ranch cowboy, riding the big circle, for several Montana ranches.

Tex started his rodeo career in the late 1930s. He rode the rough stock including the bull riding, the bareback bucking horses and the saddle broncs. Later in his rodeo career, Tex competed in calf roping, bulldogging and team roping. He competed in rodeos from Salt Lake City to Calgary, Pendleton to Omaha and many places in between. At Omaha he won a go-round in bulldogging and placed in calf roping. At the Calgary Stampedehe made the calf roping finals and placed there. Some of his special memories included winning the all-around at Missoula in 1945, and the calf roping at Dillon in 1950. He won bulldogging in Red Lodge, Helena and Dillon. Tex competed until hanging up his spurs in 1993 at the age of 72. 

A love of horses followed Tex his entire life. He was always well mounted and loved to "match" race his favorite horse at rodeos and fairs. He trained horses and bought, sold, and traded thousands of horses. Tex was proud to be a cowboy and practiced the “cowboy way” throughout his life.

Tex was a member of the Cowboy Turtles, the Rodeo Cowboys Association, Senior Pro Rodeo Association, and a Gold Card holder with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He was a member of the Idaho Amateur Rodeo Association and the Montana Amateur Rodeo Association.

Tex passed away July 8, 2002, and is buried at Dillon, Montana.