Aug. 16, 1938 – Aug. 2, 2023
Sherry Price Johnson was born Aug. 16, 1938 in Duncan, Oklahoma to John Henry and Lena (Marley) Price. She passed from this life Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023 in Duncan, Oklahoma just a couple of weeks shy of her 85th birthday.
She and Benny Combs were married and made their home in Checotah, Oklahoma from 1957-1969.
She and her high school sweetheart Sydney Wallace Johnson were married Feb. 9, 1979 in Addington, Oklahoma. They lived in Snyder, Texas for over 25 years before he sold his ranch and told her to “load up” he was taking her back to her family in Addington. He preceded her in death Nov. 9, 2007.
Sherry was a rancher and rodeo professional. She was a member of the GFWC Sorosis Club in Waurika and Providence Baptist Church.
She is survived by her daughter, Becky Brad-ley of Addington, sister, Florence Youree of Addington, two grandsons, Chris Bradley and Zack Bradley and one great-granddaughter, Leah Bradley. She is also survived by many other family and friends.
In her younger years she won the High School All-Around and Oklahoma State Finals as well as American Junior Rodeo Champion three times.
Sherry Johnson recently completed the family trifecta on July 15 when she joined the Pro-Rodeo Hall of Fame alongside her world champion horse Star Plaudit “Red,” who earned induction in 2017 and her sister Florence Youree, who was inducted as part of the Class of 2019 in the notable category for the WPRA.
During Johnson’s WPRA career she qualified for 12 National Finals Rodeos, the first coming in 1959 at the first GRA (predecessor to the WPRA) Finals in Clayton, N.M. and the last in 1991 under the bright lights of Las Vegas, a span of four decades (1959-68, 1970, 1991).
She won her first WPRA world title in 1961 in the all-around category, but the highlight of her career would come in 1962 when she won the barrel racing world title aboard Star Plaudit “Red.” Star Plaudit holds a very unique record in the world of professional rodeo, one that is not likely to ever be duplicated. The sorrel gelding won two World Championships in the sport in a single year and contributed to a third, at the age of 12. Red carried his owner Johnson to the GRA World title in the barrel racing and close family friend Tom Nesmith to the RCA world title in the steer wrestling and helped the Oklahoman also claim the RCA All Around championship, all in 1962.
While Red is considered Johnson’s oncein- a-lifetime horse, she also trained six other horses that carried her to the NFR and an additional three that carried other competitors to the “super bowl” of rodeo.
Johnson gave back to the WPRA, serving on the Board of Directors from 1963-1971, including a stint as the Vice President. She was named Coca-Cola Woman of the Year in 1997 and was inducted into the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City in 2005.
Funeral services were Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Addington Baptist Church with Dee Bowen officiating.
Burial was in the Addington Cemetery under the direction of Dudley Funeral home in Waurika.
Family requests memorials be made to charity of choice.
