Melvin Rogers Glover, local staple and founder of Glover’s Rodeo, passed away Feb. 21 due to complications with the COVID-19 virus. He was 75.

“His legacy lives now and it lives through his children, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” said his daughter, Melva Glover. “Everyone is pretty much doing something agriculture related. His legacy is going to continue through the people he has touched and influenced, cowboys and cowgirls, bull riders and bull fighters.”

People who knew Glover described him as a larger than life figure who personified toughness while fondly remembering his favorite catchphrase, “Oh boy!”, which is also the name of a trail ride he founded. In his 75 years, he wore countless hats including rodeo founder, trail ride founder, truck salesman and truck driver. Amazingly, he accomplished all of these feats and more with just one arm.

“I have seen him do more with one arm than most men do with two,” said Melva Glover.

He lost his right arm in an accident while doing tractor work outside of Madisonville at a local ranch at the age of 18. He was by himself when it happened and had to walk to find medical attention, right arm in tow. The incident best showcased the vast amount of toughness his loved ones knew all too well. He continued to display this toughness until the end of his life.

“He lived a hard and tough life, but he made a good life for himself,” said Melva Glover. “I don’t think anybody could have gone through what he went through in the hospital and lasted as long as he did. It is a testament to his character.”

2020 would have marked the 40th installment of the famed Glover’s Rodeo, which Melvin began in Madisonville with his close friends. The event was canceled when he contracted the COVID-19 virus for the first time during the summer.

According to Melva, it was a fierce battle for her father ever since. He was in and out of medical facilities in the Houston area before he contracted the virus for the second time in January. Shortly after, he was admitted to CHI St. Luke’s Health, where he ultimately passed away four days before what would have been his 76th birthday.

The local legend was born and raised in Madisonville and returned to his hometown with his wife at the time, Mary, where the Glover Rodeo was also born. He began building his own arena near the West End Cemetery with local friends and would host his own ropings. People would come from Houston and surrounding areas to attend these events and participate. He held the first ever Glover’s Rodeo at this location in 1981, a modest event compared to the spectacle it has become through the years.

In 1982, the famed event was moved to the Sidewalk Cattleman’s Association in Madisonville, where it was housed until the early 2000s. By then, it had a following of nearly 7,000 people from all over East Texas. In 2002, it moved to Hearne, where it has been ever since.

“I first started working the gate when I was 13-years-old,” said Melva Glover. “I had worked with my dad up until our last event in 2019. It was a lot of fun, like a big family reunion. People came from Houston and Dallas and all over.” The rodeo jump

The rodeo jumpstarted the prestigious careers of many notable cowboys and cowgirls and continues to draw remarkable crowds of people in the best and worst of times.

Melvin Glover went on to marry his second wife, Linda, in the late 1980s. He was a father of six children overall, including Michael, Melva, Alicia, Darren, Kelvin and Monique.

He was a graduate of the Marian Anderson Education system and Prairie View A&M University, where he studied sociology.

A service for Melvin Glover will be held Saturday at 7044 Glover’s Lane in Madisonville. A viewing will be held from 9-11 a.m. with a service to immediately follow. Attendees are asked to bring a chair and masks will be mandatory. Social distancing will be practiced.

Editor’s note: The Meteor sends our deepest condolences to the Glover family as well as all of the countless individuals Melvin influenced throughout his remarkable life