Henryetta Chamber of Commerce Director Roy Madden was inducted into the Military Rodeo Cowboy (MRC) Hall of Fame in Topeka, Kan. on Oct. 24.

A local cowboy, singer and songwriter, Madden was born and raised in Holdenville.

After graduating from high school, he joined the United States Air Force in 1967 where he served 36 years on active duty and as a Department of Defense employee until his retirement in 2003.

“During that time my career took me down many paths, but one thing remained constant in my life,” Madden said, “I was born to be a cowboy.”

While in the Air Force, he competed in rodeos at every opportunity.

In 1974 after leaving the Air Force, he was offered and accepted a position with Marine Corps Base 29 Palms, Calif. to serve as Equestrian Center Manager.

“It was quite a challenge and honor to serve in a position that could influence the quality of life of active duty and family members,” Madden said.

He set out to build on the exiting program by seeking funding to expand facilities and program offerings.

After developing multiple equestrian programs and working with the Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard program, his focus turned to the underserved military rodeo cowboy.

“These were service members that mostly came from rural communities, farms and ranches,” Madden said. “Some were from the intercity seeking a new life experience.”

Many had competed in junior and high school rodeos and still desired to be involved in the sport of rodeo.

Military installations provided full support to most other sports. However, the military rodeo cowboy, with the exception of Camp Pendleton, was an anomaly and was not recognized for their talents and the value rodeo brought to their quality of life, he said.

Madden set out to host the first rodeo at the Marine Corps Base 29 Palms; it was an overwhelming success.

The following year he lobbied to establish a formal rodeo team competition where military teams came from all over the world to compete for the Commanding General’s trophy.

Marine Corps Base 29 Palms won the competition that year and went on the win the Yuma, Ariz. competition.

The rodeo team concept turned out to be a success. Finally the military cowboy and sport of rodeo had found a formal recognition along with other military athletic events.

“The next step was to create a formal set of rules and standards,” Madden said.

In the early 1980s, he, along with active military cowboys set out to form the Military Rodeo Association.

Over the years Madden supported the military cowboy in multiple ways and though his career took him down different paths.

He was always proud of his work with the military rodeo program and when he received the notice that he was being inducted into to Military Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame he was overwhelmed.

In addition to being the Henryetta Chamber Executive Director, Madden serves on the Jim Shoulders Living Legends Rodeo Committee.

A great asset to the community, he genuinely cares about residents, businesses, improving the city and keeping shopping local.