Entrepreneurs
In 1982 the Luskeys merged with Ryon’s Saddle Shop to create Luskey’s-Ryon’s Western Wear, a two-story building that the family ran at 2601 N. Main St. in the Stockyards. It is believed the Luskeys are the first retailers and Jewish honorees.
But the Jewish western and rodeo legacy is still rich. In 2016, the late Frances Rosenthal Kallison, who was born in Fort Worth, became the first Jewish cowgirl honoree inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Museum, also in Fort Worth.
In 2015, Rabbi Andrew Bloom of Fort Worth’s Congregation Ahavath Sholom led the first Jewish prayer at the beginning of the annual Fort Worth Stock and Rodeo.
But getting into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame is not easy, even in a state with plenty of cowboys and cowgirls. The nominating process is open, but to be considered, nominees must have been born or live in Texas, are actively involved in the rodeo or western lifestyle scenes and adhere to the museum and hall of fame’s mission of honoring “individuals who have shown excellence in competition, business and support of rodeo and the western lifestyle in Texas.”