by Kim Redo-Thacker
Photos courtesy of Coleman Proctor
To say Coleman Proctor was destined to become a professional roper is a gross understatement. Born into a roping family, he and his sisters and parents all roped. His dad, Keith Proctor, is a champion roper. Mom Melody Brewer and both sisters also competed in roping.
Proctor, a native of Miami, Oklahoma, roped in high school rodeos, taking the reserve champion title in heeling. He attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College and then finished his degree in agribusiness at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
Friends and Family
Proctor joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in 2004. Having grown up with his close friend Jake Long, he changed to heading so the two could rope together. Long is from Coffeyville, Kansas. The two competed for years at the same rodeos through high school and college. The lifelong partnership has proved to be a winning combination time and time again, including several National Finals Rodeo qualifications.
Having partnered with the best cowboys in the business has catapulted Proctor into an elite class of cowboys. He is well aware of how blessed he is to do what he loves. His friends and family are on hand to help at all times.
Proctor is married to the girl of his dreams, Stephanie, who has a career in clinical pharmacy working for the U.S. Public Health Service. The two of them have three beautiful girls — Stella, Caymbree, and Sterling Grace.
How did Proctor know to marry this wonderful gal? Well, when he asked her if she would rather have a ring or a new barn, she answered, “A new barn.” That’s what this cowboy needed to hear. The ring came later.
Staying Busy
Recently, Proctor thought having a week off the rodeo trail meant he could relax at home. He could not have been farther from the truth. Not only does the couple run after three little girls nonstop, the ranch keeps both of them busy all the time.
In a recent week, Proctor taught roping schools and gave lessons. He and his mother-in-law have a cattle business with 250 head of cows. He has practices and trains his young up-and-coming horses for professional circuits. That includes attending amateur rodeos to get the horses used to commotion and noise at rodeo arenas.
One of Proctor’s current favorites is a red roan he raised called Trump — not an easy horse to handle. Coleman has to dismount and loosen the cinch after every run as soon as the steer is stretched. And the colt is not too crazy about the stripping chute either, but he is very fast.
Proctor is not only an all-around cowboy; he is an all-around good guy. He participates in numerous benefit programs. One program he started with his wife is an annual golf tournament.
“It started after our wedding. We love to play golf, and most of our friends do too. After we got married, we had a little golf tournament. In the beginning, the proceeds were donated to our church. After my friend Tom Peterson was tragically killed, we continued the tournament in his honor. This year, the Diamond Barn Golf Classic had 29 teams enter.”
Golfing is followed by Smarty Rodeo dummy roping. Five sets of buckles are given away at that event, and the Smarty company donated the roping equipment.
Proctor also likes to help out with junior rodeos as his schedule permits.
As if Proctor’s rodeo schedule is not enough, he is adding more events to his practice routine. Although he has attended and helped friends at the cinch timed-event championship held at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, he now plans to be a contestant. The five-day event consists of team roping both ends, tie-down roping, steer roping, and steer wrestling — truly the mark of great cowboys. With help from several friends, including Tyler Pearson, Will Lummus, Cody Doescher, and Luke Branquinho, Proctor will no doubt be a challenger.
Sponsors
CSI Rodeo sponsors Proctor as well as giving him six saddle pads to use at the NFR plus one for the grand entry each night. Those saddle blankets are auctioned off at the end of the event. The money raised go to Tunnels to Towers (police and firefighters), Golden Circle of Champions (for children with cancer), the Power of Pink Walk (women with breast cancer), and a military benefit.
Another big sponsor is Wrangler. In 2024, Wrangler asked Proctor to do promotional work in Nashville, Tennessee. This year, Proctor and his wife went to the Academy of Country Music awards courtesy of Wrangler. Proctor stepped out of his comfort zone and did some impromptu interviews with recording artists, despite never having done anything of the sort. Some of the interviews are on his Facebook account.
Proctor always seems to have time for everyone. Always smiling, he says, “Smiling brings out the best in me.” Well, sir, your smile brings out the best in everyone you are around.
