The rodeo community lost a fine cowboy last week.

Six-time WNFR qualifier Chris Harris Jr. passed away in Laguna Park (Bosque County), Texas, on Wednesday after succumbing to a fire that spread throughout the building that housed his antique car collection. The retired bareback rider was 41 years old, and had recently extended his interests to antique cars and bucking horse breeding.

Today, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on the legacy of a rank bareback rider, a father, "The Texas Flash": Chris Harris. 

A Talented Rodeo Competitor

Harris was a talented bareback rider with six WNFR qualifications (1998-2000, 2006-08), and $870,953 in PRCA career earnings. Known as the “Texas Flash," Harris also qualified for the RAM National Circuit Finals five times and won it in 2008.

In 1999, Harris won the coveted Calgary Stampede title and its $50,000 purse.

A Family Man With A Troubled Past

Throughout his rodeo career, Harris struggled with some demons that affected the bareback rider's friendships, relationships, and ultimately his freedom. In an interview posted online by Rodeo ACES, Harris explains the events that lead him to spending two and a half months in solitary confinement and 13 additional months in prison. 

“I grew up knowing about drugs and things like that, but I had no idea how they can take a hold of you and how they can control your life,” Harris said in the interview, which you can watch here:

According to his obituary, Harris was a bucking horse breeder as well as the operator of High Court Breeders, a successful deer-breeding operation. Harris was preceded in death by his father, Chris Harris Sr., and brother, Courtney Johnson-Harris.

He leaves behind two daughters, Halley and Jesse James, his mother Tammy, brothers Don and Justin, sister Heather, and many other extended family members. 

From left to right: Justin Harris, Heather Harris Heftler, and Chris Harris. Photo courtesy of the Harris Family. 

Harris also leaves behind a rodeo community that has been expressing their sorrow for the loss of a talented competitor and friend since the announcement of his passing.