The rodeo community is reeling from the devastating loss of two beloved competitors. Jamie Earp, 52, and his son, Tucker Earp, 22, of Jay, Oklahoma, were killed in a fiery crash on Interstate 44 near Kellyville on Sunday, according to reports confirmed by the World Sport Report.
The father-son duo was heading home after competing at the All Star Team Roping Finals at the Lazy E Arena. Their pickup truck, towing a horse trailer, struck the rear of a semi-truck parked on the shoulder of the highway. Both vehicles erupted in flames, and neither Jamie nor Tucker survived.
Known for their skill in the team roping circuit, the Earps were fixtures at events across the country. They often competed side by side, and their bond extended beyond the arena. Friends and fellow competitors have flooded social media with heartfelt tributes, remembering their kindness, humor, and talent.
“I don’t really remember not knowing you guys,” wrote Cole Mott, a fellow roper. “I watched Tucker play youth football, and Jamie right beside him on the sidelines coaching his tail off! Obviously we all ran in the same circles at the ropings, but when Cooper started picking his own partners he was always excited to say me and Tucker are entered. Truth be told I was stoked too because they had a good chance to kick them around. And ole Tucker even at 22 would stop and talk to me anytime I saw him. Just a couple weeks ago I saw him at a roping in El Reno, and he was telling me about his new job at the bank and how he loved it, and we talked about football. Just all around a good kid to be around. And Jamie, man we talked about kids and football and head horses and anything in between. Like I said, I don’t remember not knowing him. He always rode a pretty good horse and always likely to kick your tail with his rope! And now… well… they are gone.”
Another close friend, who had worked on the Earps' horses for years, shared a poignant memory: “I don’t have words. I’m in shock and don’t want to believe this happened. I’ve worked on Jamie Earp and Tucker’s horses for years, and occasionally Jenny Jo Kijacs. Until this last year when I could barely stand and had to have surgery. They were friends and I thought the world of them. Tucker used to say it amazed him to watch me work on the horses. When I’d fix one, Jamie would call and say she was completely lame and now it’s like nothing was wrong. What did you do? I’d tell him. And Barbie, Tucker’s mare, well she didn’t like much of anyone. The first couple of times I worked on them, they warned me to watch her. She tried everything in the world to bite me and kick me. And then she decided I was alright. I made her feel good and she knew I cared. I love ya’ll Earp family and my broken heart is going out to you. Prayers for strength, peace and comfort for the entire family. God be with them.”
The loss has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit roping and rodeo world. “Our roping and rodeo world is heartbroken over the loss of Jamie and Tucker Earp in a horrific roadside crash yesterday,” one social media post read. Another added, “Such tragic news. May they rest in peace.”
Beyond their athletic achievements, the Earps were known for their generosity and mentorship. Jamie was a respected veteran who helped younger ropers hone their skills, while Tucker was seen as a rising star with a bright future both in and out of the arena. Tucker had recently started a new job at a bank, a sign of his diverse talents and work ethic.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing. Authorities have not released further details, but the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that rodeo athletes face on the road as they travel between events. Many competitors log thousands of miles each year, and accidents like this are a sobering reality for the community.
As tributes continue to pour in, the Earp family has asked for privacy during this difficult time. A memorial service is being planned, and details will be announced in the coming days. The rodeo world has lost two of its finest, and they will be deeply missed.
Our thoughts are with the friends and family of everyone involved. May they rest in peace.
