Jackie Perkins’ Legacy of Strength and Community Spirit Carries On at Coffeyville Rodeo
by Emma Tabor
The Jackie Perkins Memorial Ranch Rodeo in Coffeyville, Kansas, is a celebration of tradition and community, and those values are deeply felt by all who attend. The WRCA-sanctioned ranch rodeo in Coffeyville is the last before the World Championship and is only open to unqualified teams.
With only 18 teams and a crowd made up primarily of friends and family of team members, the viewing stands are a particularly friendly and familiar place to be.
“Everybody has met each other before at different rodeos,” said TJ Mills, the current director of the rodeo. “It’s kind of like a reunion.” Despite being a one-day event, the atmosphere is memorable.
Since its founding in 2008 by Jackie Perkins, Coffeyville has been the perfect home for the ranch rodeo, thanks to its excellent arena and central location. The event holds a special place in the hearts of attendees and those who knew Perkins, whose legacy continues to be cherished. While it is unclear if one specific moment inspired her involvement with WRCA, Perkins’ passion for ranching and love for the lifestyle was obvious and motivated her to put on the ranch rodeo annually. Perkins lived just 12 miles from the rodeo grounds and ran cattle with her family.
Many of the individuals and companies who helped put on the event are still involved today, even 16 years after the rodeo’s beginning. Sandy Zibell, the rodeo secretary, and Don Reno and Mark Owens of OMAK Rodeo, who provide the broncs, are just a few of the many who were there at the rodeo’s inception and continue to be integral parts of the event.
Perkins was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after founding the Coffeyville ranch rodeo, which is now held in her honor.
Mills, who was Perkins’ fiancé, fondly remembers her strength and selflessness as she fought for nine years without ever entering remission.
“She was a very, very caring person,” Mills said. “She helped the community and would take kids to go horse judge or cattle judge. She always tried to help out.”
Kaycee Hooper, WRCA staff member, described Perkins as full of life. She loved cooking, sitting by a fire, Native American turquoise jewelry, and nature. She was gracious and humble and instantly made anyone feel comfortable. She would never talk about her own struggles or hardships but instead chose to ask about someone else and listen. Perkins wrote down quotes she enjoyed and was a radiant beam of positivity and light. She found the good in every little moment and made everyone around her a better person, treating everyone with kindness. She was a complete fighter and is described by Hooper as embodying the true spirit of cowboy culture.
“She never complained; never asked ‘Why me?’”, Mills said. “She just never gave up.”
While she fought cancer, Perkins maintained her own herd of cattle, which she checked on and worked with, remained a proud and active mother, and even attended the WRCA World Championship with her children every year. Mills said she even persisted with mundane tasks: she fed her cattle, checked water, attended every event possible and worked to be present in every aspect of her life.
Even amidst her own battle, Perkins was consistently selfless. She released purple balloons in the arena at the ranch rodeo each year in honor of a close friend who passed of cancer.
After doctors told her the cancer had spread beyond treatment and it may be time to start slowing down, her response was, “I’m not giving up.”
Hooper said everyone wondered how Jackie did it all, but it was apparent she did it for her family, her love of the community, her belief in the tradition and heritage of ranching, and because that’s simply who she was.
Perkins passed away in November 2019 after years of fighting. Since her passing, Mills has continued her legacy and now runs the Jackie Perkins Memorial Ranch Rodeo at the same arena in Coffeyville. Tim Fuller, the original and current announcer, shares Perkins’ story at the beginning of each rodeo. Individuals involved with the rodeo and community members believed in Jackie and did whatever
possible to ensure a great event, which they continue to do in her absence.
“I promised her I would keep it going,” said Mills. “She was the toughest woman I’ve met.”
Mills, who grew up on a ranch, prefers things the traditional way—roping to doctor, dragging calves for branding. It’s one of the reasons he stays involved with WRCA as he honors Jackie’s legacy.
“The WRCA is just wonderful,” he said. “It’s a great organization and they help so many people in need in ranching.”
The WRCA Foundation assisted the Perkins during Jackie’s battle and Mills said they became family. Jackie met Kaycee Hooper at a ranch rodeo in Claremore, Oklahoma, and they became good friends.
“Kaycee is family.” Mills said. “We call each other brother and sister.”
Hooper described Perkins as “an anomaly” and said she grew extremely close with Perkins and her community, which she said is one of her favorite things about being a part of WRCA and the Foundation.
Mills said Perkins loved the outdoors and ranching and believed every day was a gift that should not be taken for granted. Her light shines every year in October on the Inter-State Fair Grounds and every day in between.
Jackie Perkins’ spirit has a special home in Coffeyville that is felt by all. Her passion for giving back to people is one of the reasons she founded the rodeo and is the driving theme of the event today.
During especially difficult times in her battle, Mills said Perkins would look at him and say, “You need to just sit and feel the sun on your face. Feel the wind in your hair. Be grateful to be alive.”
This article appears in the October 2024 issue of the Hungry Loop. Would you like to read more stories about the WRCA and ranching life? When you become a member of the Working Ranch Cowboys Association, you’ll receive the Hungry Loop and much more while supporting the working cowboy. Become a member today.