Rick Young

We said goodbye to our beloved Rick Young, the legendary "Ragin' Cajun," on March 21, 2026, at the incredible age of 92. But saying goodbye to Rick felt more like saying goodbye to the life of the party he’d been for decades. Born in Houston but with a heart as big and fiery as the Louisiana bayou he claimed as his own, Rick was pure joy wrapped in a mischievous grin. He wasn't just our dad, grandpa, or friend; he was the living embodiment of laughter, resilience, and unconditional love. You always knew when Rick was near – that infectious laugh, booming and warm, would fill the room long before he did. He made everyone feel like family, instantly welcome, instantly cherished. For 35 glorious years, Rick lived his passion in the arena, saving cowboys with fearless courage and splitting sides with his hilarious antics as a bullfighter and rodeo clown. He wasn't just a performer; he was a guardian angel with a painted-on smile and a twinkle in his eye. Off the dirt, his greatest arena was his kitchen, where he cooked up the best gumbo this side of the bayou, telling stories so rich and entertaining you could almost taste the adventure. Whether he was cheering at our ball games, sharing wisdom over a cup of coffee, or simply holding your hand, Rick poured his whole heart into every moment. His love was the steady drumbeat beneath our lives. Rick leaves behind a profound legacy etched not in bronze (though his ProRodeo Hall of Fame induction in 2022 certainly proved it), but in the hearts of everyone he touched. He taught us courage isn't the absence of fear