Herman Dwain Rayburn of Menard, Texas passed away peacefully from this life into his Heavenly home on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at the age of 81 and was surrounded by his wife, children, daughter in love and 2 grands ons, Joshua Rayburn and Kade Rayburn.
Herman was born on August 21, 1942, in Miles, Texas to Wa l t e r and Lela ( Smi t h ) Rayburn. He spent his younger years and half of his life in and around the San Angelo area before moving to Menard in 1986.
On August 6, 1960 at the young age of 15 and 17, he married the love of his life Betty (Parsons) Rayburn. Herman knew from the moment that he saw Betty, that he would marry her, and they would raise a family together. Herman and Betty have 3 children and spent 63 wonderful years together.
Herman is best known for being just a good ol’ cowboy and many knew him from his days of putting on ropings for the Original Team Roping Association, formerly known as the Coors Roping Series in Kerrville, Georgetown and San Angelo. He and Betty worked alongside each other over the years to host ropings at their arena in Harriet and then at the Rayburn Arena at their ranch in Menard. Of course being an avid team roper, he wouldn’t not have an arena of his own so when they moved to Menard, they began building their own and would host their first team roping in May of 1986 and later put on the Karl Kinney Kothmann and Chubby Pearl Memorial Roping. Most who spent any time at the Rayburn Arena knew about the well-known hamburgers that his mother, also known as Granny to most would make. They were known as the best, most greasy (and dusty) hamburgers to be had in the roping arena.
Although Herman was known for his team ropings, he was also well known for being a farrier. He shod his first horse at the young age of 11 and was taught by his father. He would later go on to obtain formal training from Sul Ross University. Herman shod horses for about 60 years, all over the Concho Valley area. Of course, being knee deep in the horse, cattle and rancher lifestyle, Herman was also well known for his horse trading and cattle raising.
Herman had a love for life, his land, his animals and enjoyed everything to the fullest, from working on his ranch, taking care of his livestock, teaching others to ride and rope (although he didn’t have much patience when it came to this). Herman always loved when he got time to play golf with his buddies, Donnie Gibbs, Alton Brown, Scott Black, Alan Turner and Carleton Kothma n n . But his greatest love of all was his wife and family. He was always will ing and ready to do whatever was needed in order to help anyone. He did not know a stranger.
Herman is predeceased by his parents Walter Rayburn and Lela (Smith) Rayburn and sister, Gin Brown. Left to cherish and honor his memory are his loving wife of 63 years, Betty Laverne (Parsons) Rayburn; Daughter, Sandy Kothmann of Menard, Texas; son, Walter Eugene Rayburn of Menard, Texas; son, Dwaine Herman Rayburn and wife Jessica Rayburn of Menard, Texas; 7 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; his sister, Eugenia Bruce as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and a great number of people he called friends. Most who knew Herman knew he was not much of a person who loved on small animals as most of the animals that he had, had a job. A few years back we had a cute little chihuahua that was dumped out on the ranch and little did we all know at the time, just how much Herman would end up loving his new little dog Toni aka little girl. She spent hours and hours on the skid steer with Herman, riding with him to feed, gathering chicken eggs and had to be under his feet or in his lap at all times. It was such a rare sighting that our long-time neighbors would even question “was that really Herman? Does he really have a little dog riding with him?” He loved his little Toni and she is going to miss him dearly.
Our family would like to extend our sincere gratitude and thanks to the nurses and staff of Interim Hospice as they lovingly cared for him for several months before his passing.
At the request of Herman’s last wishes, we will be holding a Celebration of Life at the Rayburn Arena where he will take his last ride off into the sunset on June 15, 2024. Further details will be provided at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Interim Hospice or any other Hospice of your choice, the Menard Public Library or the Menard 4-H program.