Canadian Rodeo lost a giant yesterday. Jack Daines, competitor, builder, announcer, Hall of Fame inductee and the architect of one of Canada’s best known and longest standing rodeos - the Daines Ranch Rodeo at Innisfail - passed away December 28 at the age of 86.

The gravelly-voiced larger than life personality who loved his family and his sport leaves behind a legacy of athletes, fans, sponsors and friends who gathered every year in June to listen to Jack’s amazing stories and unique style of calling the sport he was so passionate about. In addition to crafting a rodeo that continues to be popular more than a half century after its birth, Jack was the driving force behind the Alberta Circuit and the awards given to it’s champions.

Jack was named the 1990 Canadian Professional Rodeo Association Committee Man of the Year and was awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005. He was honoured as one of the 125 Greatest Citizens of Alberta by the Calgary Herald in 2008. And Jack was inducted into in the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2000 in the Builder category. Jack was also an honoured member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.

All of us in the sport of rodeo extend our most sincere condolences to Jack’s wife Audrey, his family and countless friends, all of whom are mourning his passing.