This page honors all of those who we have shared the trail with through out our lives, be it for a brief moment in passing or a lifetime of memories. Each person here, no matter how briefly they entered our lives, has touched the hearts of each of the Whispers Crew. Though they have crossed over & ride Heaven's trails now, we know we will ride with them again.

Vaya Con Dios, Compadres

Jacob Michael MacCallister

March 18, 1957 - January 26, 1983

Once in a lifetime you find someone with whom you connect on every level. Jacob was this person for Lilbit. They shared a lifetime in the four & a half years before he was killed in a bullriding accident. Through her first book, Rodeo'n, Romanc'n & Remember'n, Lilbit shares with the reader this connection.

Cherokee Summer

Paint ponies by the lodge

White manes

Turned silver in the moon’s glow

Taste of Mother Earth

Burden baskets hang at the door

They hold many seasons

Of worries & fears

The night owl comes

He sings the death song

Your time here has ended

The West door beckons you

Night Owl grows silent

In Memory of Jacob Michael MacCallister

March 18, 1957 ~ January 26, 1983

Lane Frost

October 12, 1963 - July 30, 1989

A lot has been said about Lane since his passing, much of it making him larger than life. Lilbit knew Lane, watched his meteoric rise in Rodeo & was there on that fateful July Day.  While others will talk about his rodeo career, Lilbit will talk more about his friendship, his love for his family & his wife & then she will talk about his Rodeo career.

Eight Seconds or Eternity

  On a rainy July day in Cheyenne, like so many other towns before

The bull riders came to ride the best, vying for the highest score

They all fanned out in the back chutes, telling stories & swapping lies

Knowing that to make this Go, would bring them closer to the Prize

“Eight seconds or eternity, it’s still an all out ride

A never ending gamble when they throw the gate out wide”

 “Just set your eyes between his horns, and never hesitate”

A bit of advice I heard him offer as he climbed over the #7 gate

He knew he’d drawn a bad one, the kind not easily ridden

Every cowboy swore that Brahma was put here to do the Devil’s bidding

 He’d drawn him down in San Antone not more than a month before

And figured when he made this ride, it would even up the score

With a lazy smile, he took his wrap & snugged into his hand

Even in the back chutes, you could feel the excitement from the stands

Taking Care of Business was the bull, a long horned, snot flinging brindle

Just seeing him standing in the chute could cause your courage to dwindle

“Ok Boys, Ok Boys”, with that the ride began

The Cowboy’s goal was the NFR but it seemed the Bull had another plan

The buzzer sounded, he let go, rolling to the left & off the rear

And what happened in that arena next, has never been too clear

The drizzling rain had made the arena muddy & quite slick

Down on all fours the Cowboy knew getting away would be a trick

He tried to scramble, praying for speed but the Bull was quicker that day

2000 tons sent him sprawling, hooked him for measure & was finally waved away

The cowboy made it to his feet & jogged back towards the gate

Romer came to help him, but the angels couldn’t wait

Why heaven called him then, only the Master knows

He’d had nastier wrecks & came up smelling like a rose

The angels cried that August day when he was laid beneath the sod

And Freckles came to stand beside him before the throne of God

He loved Jesus, his wife & family and never failed to make a friend

And when I cross that final river, I know we will meet again

Chris LeDoux

October 2, 1948 - March 9, 2005

 I will remember him, always as a Roughstocker who won the coveted gold , a good friend, loving father & husband, a talented bronze sculptor, and lastly, not because he wasn't talented because he was in a class of his own, as a country superstar entertainer. All Chris ever wanted was to win the World Championship, which he did, & to make enough money with his music to take care of his family. The rest was cake. He deserved it all. He enjoyed being on stage & performing. He loved being at home on the ranch with his wife & family infinitely more. Above everything else, when you recall him, remember that he was a Cowboy, with all the rough edges & grit that goes with the job.

Heaven’s Finals Rodeo

We lost another good ‘un just the other day

A world class Roughstocker from up Wyoming way

It must be that the good Lord needs another fine hand

So he can put on a show for all those Angels in the stands

Why, some of the best are getting warmed up behind the chutes

And those Brahmas are all champions; you’ll never straddle any finer brutes

There’s Freckles, Lane & Thurman, all waiting to welcome him in

They were just waiting on a wild bronc buster, so let the fun begin!

Just take a look in those holding pens; you’ll see the rough stock is sterling

Tad Lucas leads the Grand Entry riding full out, Heaven’s banner unfurling

In the grandstands, an air of excitement, in the back chutes a silent prayer

For Heaven’s Finals Rodeo is starting & the best of the best are riding there

It seems the Devil dogs a Rodeo man most all of his earthly days

But when a Cowboy heeds the Creator’s call, all is forgiven, so the Bible says

We know the Master chooses only the cream of the crop for his Rodeo crew

Those who ride hard for the brand & whose hearts are loyal & true

Down here on Earth, we’ll pour a glass of Whiskey, and then bid a fond adieu

We’ll send the Angel’s share to heaven for that wild bronc buster, LeDoux

We know they’ll be there to pull our rigging when it comes our time to ride

At the Heaven’s Finals Rodeo, where all good Rough Stockers abide

© March 25, 2005   Catherine Lilbit Devine