Emily posted on December 05, 2011 12:57
The night time is the right time for "Pinky" Lee Morgison. So you think you could do his job; just try it! What a service this man has done for the Brahman and Santa Gertrudis cattle industry through the last 30 years.
Ronald Dean Morgison was born in 1948 in Concordia, Kansas. Pinky's dad was a full blood Cherokee lndian and his mother was Scotch lrish. He now lives in Denver, Colorado and calls the National Western Stock Show his home base.
Pinky grew up on the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey circus train, where his dad was the Cherokee lndian Chief and traveled all over the United States.
When Pinky was old enough to go to school he was sent to a South Dakota lndian Reservation where, according to his mother, they gave him his lifelong nickname Pinky. This name was given to him because the skin on his face was so fair that it stayed "pinkish red" from being outside in the weather.
As a young lad Pinky had a botched up tonsillectomy surgery causing him some problems with his speech, reading and writing but did not affect his memory pertaining to the cattle business.
Pinky's family settled in Denver, Colorado where his dad took a job on a Hereford ranch. Pinky adopted the Denver National Western Stock Show as his own.
Through the years he worked on the hill and down in the stockyards. It was there where he met all of those famous western acts. You see, he really did work as a stable hand for the horses that accompanied Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and John Wayne. Not only did he meet them, he also met Elvis Presley, who just so happned to be Pinky's favorite. ln fact, when Pinky visits Memphis, Tennessee, he always makes an annual pilgrimage to Graceland.
Pinky has several favorites in his life. ln the food department it would have to be biscuits and gravy, homemade cherry pie and homemade noodles. As far as his clothing style it is "western" all the way for Pinky. On any given day Pinky will have on a black hat, Wrangler jeans with a "snap and flap" western shirt. Riding boots only, with pointed toes and heel taps.
You see, Pinky goes only by the "code of the West". Pinky loves the Lord and loves to go to church. He has never done drugs, never smoked and never drank.
For over 30 years he has worked the show road from Calgary, Canada to Tampa, Florida. He also loves to work the Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio.
I am sure you didn't realize after watching him walk, that Pinky sits and rides a horse very well. He has been with me to several roping and team penning events.
Through the years he primarily traveled with Valley B Enterprises Brahmans and McCarter Cattle Service Gerts but I am sure he has helped each and every one of you at some point along the way. When you see him you will never forget him!
Look for his favorite coat that says "Pinky Lee Morgison, Babysitting and Cow Washing, Udderly Fantastic. Happy Trails!"