By Quentin Jodie
Navajo Times
WINDOW ROCK – The Native American rodeo community is mourning the passing of Navajo bull rider Spud Jones.
Jones, who passed away on July 4, will be laid to rest on Friday with his services being held at The Door Christian Fellowship Church at 10 a.m. in Gallup. Burial will take place at the Tohatchi Community Cemetery with a reception to follow at Twin Lakes Chapter House.
Jones is survived by his parents J.W. and Michaelene, and sisters Twila, Mikala and Fallon.
To many, Jones opened the doors for many Native bull riders as his passion for the sport earned him a top 15 finish in the 2008 PRCA world standings.
That year, Jones earned his only qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada as he earned more than $27,000 at the world finals having placed in two rounds. His winning in Las Vegas put his year-end total just shy of $100,000.
Jones, 36, passed away peacefully after an illness, and his family confirmed his death in a Facebook post.
“With great sadness, we the family of Spud Jones announce his death on July 4, 2025,” the statement read. “Whether you knew Spud through the sport of rodeo or had the privilege of crossing paths with him personally, you knew he had a big heart, a strong spirit, and a presence that will be deeply missed.”
Tributes are continuing to pour in for Jones, who captured many titles during his career in the PRCA ranks
Diné rodeo announcer Jacob Todechine remembers that “everyone wanted to be like Spud Jones” in his Facebook post.
“He was someone I truly looked up to, the one who inspired me to ride bulls and carry myself with pride,” he wrote. “What made Spud special wasn’t what he did in the arena, but how he carried himself outside of it. At junior rodeos, he never hesitated to help.”
Todechine added that despite making history as the first Navajo to ever qualify for the NFR in the bull riding event, Jones remembers his roots.
“He never forgot where he come from and he never stopped giving back,” he said. “That’s what made him the kind of cowboy and the kind of man we all admired.”
Former PBR and PRCA bull rider Tuff Hedeman wrote on Facebook: “Our rodeo family has been hit with another loss. Spud Jones, gone too soon. My condolences go out to all his family and friends. Rest easy, Cowboy.”
His titles in the PRCA included wins at the National Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver, the Lea County Fair & Rodeo in Lovington, N.M. and the Dodge Turquoise Circuit Finals Rodeo in Las Cruces, N.M.
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