So Long Pete

                                                               So Long Pete 

                               William “Pete” Lewis, 86, of Pinon, New Mexico, passed away Thursday, February 13th, 2025, at Goodlife Assisted Living, inCarlsbad, NM. A Graveside service is scheduled for 10:30 AM, Friday, February 21st, 2025, at Cienega Cemetery, Dell City, Texas. 

Pete was born on September 4th, 1938, in El Paso, Texas to Howell and Evelyn (Head) Lewis. He graduated from Dell City High School in 1956. Pete received a bachelor’s degree from Sul Ross State University where he played football and rodeoed on a scholarship. His true talent was showcased in the rodeo arena. As an original member of the Rodeo Cowboy Association, he competed in every event; from riding broncs and bulls to roping and steer wrestling.

In August of 1957, he married the love of his life, Minnie Jonas, leading them both home to Crow Flat where Pete would continue his family and pursue his passion for raising horses and cattle on the Triangle T Ranch. Not only was he known for his exceptional knowledge of ranching statewide, but he was also a renowned fiddle player, inducted in the Smithsonian Institution for American Folklife music in 1992.  

I met Pete at a cow work in the Guadalupe mountains in the late sixties. Pete would show up at cow works, dances, social events around Crow Flats and local ropings.   Few cowboys were as famous as Pete around the southwest.