Rodeo legend Wilbur Plaugher passes away at 95

SANGER, Calif. (FOX26) — Sanger's rodeo legend Wilbur Plaugher has passed away. He was 95.

The Sanger Herald reports Plaugher, who was a member of every cowboy and rodeo hall of fame in the world and cofounder of the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys, died Tuesday evening.

Plaugher was in a nursing home recovering from surgery, his daughter told the Sanger Herald.

Until recently, the Sanger Herald reports Plaugher worked his cattle ranch just outside Sanger almost every weekday and frequently served as a guest preacher on Sunday at Sanger area churches.

According to the Sanger Hearld, Plaugher is in the chamber of commerce's hall of fame, was honored by the city council in 2012, was the Christmas parade grand marshal and the grand marshal of the 92nd Annual Clovis Rodeo parade in 2006. He held two world records for the fastest time in steer wrestling and was the All-Around Champion Cowboy in 1946 at Madison Square Garden, which was the same year he began his long, storied career as a bullfighter.

Plaugher also acted in Walt Disney movies and appeared in one movie with Marilyn Monroe.