Jerry Stewart was born and raised in the Phoenix, AZ area and found a rodeo interest early on in life. He competed in American Junior Rodeo Association events and open rodeos throughout his time in high school. After graduation, Jerry would find new ways to rodeo when he was drafted into the US Army in 1972.
Jerry completed his Army basic training at Ft. Ord, CA followed by technical training at Ft. Bliss, TX as a HAWK missile technician and his first assignment was at Okinawa Japan. After an interruption of service, he would later be assigned to Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany where he was introduced to Rodeo USA and the European Rodeo Cowboys Association (ERCA) operated by Alan Jacob.
Once he found the military rodeo, Jerry went all in and competed in BB, SB, BR, CR, TR, Wild Horse Race and Rescue Race. His talent in the arena would net him titles at many of the ERCA rodeos and result in the 1981 ERCA CR, BB, and AA titles. Hew would then lead the ERCA rodeo team to the 1981 Yuma Jaycees Military Rodeo Finals rough stock championship. He went to Washington DC that year with ERCA President Mike Yochum to present a special Gist made buckle to President Ronald Reagan in the White House recognizing the President as a supporter of the western lifestyle. He would go on to win the 1983 ERCA SB, BB and AA titles. He served in multiple positions on the ERCA board of directors during his time with the association.
With follow on postings at Ft. Bliss, TX, Nuremberg, Germany and Ft. Sam Houston, TX he retired with 21 years of service after the death of his son Jason from terminal cancer. He would move to Laveen, AZ with his wife Carolyn and son Tucson where he worked as a roofer and electrician for over 20 years.
European Rodeo Cowboys Association Championships: 6 (CR, BB, AA – 1981, BB, SB, AA – 1983)
Born: 1951 in Mesa, AZ
