The past week has been a tough one for the cutting horse community in Texas, following five untimely deaths
- Dr. Bill Browning, DDS, 63, a longtime non-pro competitor from Allen, TX, suffered a fatal heart attack on June 14;
- Paul Vaughan, 32, Temple, TX, trainer and assistant of Hall of Fame trainer Shannon Hall, passed away on June 15;
- Jim McNulty, 60, saddle maker, NCHA judge and non-pro competitor, died on June 16;
- Georgia Pearson, 3, Spearman, TX, daughter of non-pro competitors Mark and Anne Marie, passed away on June 17; and
- Chris Atkins, 40, Millsap, TX, a non-pro competitor, died on June 18.
Funeral service for Chris Atkins will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Weatherford (on Main St.) at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, June 21, 2008, followed by a Celebration of Chris’ Life at Slate River Ranch.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made to an educational fund for Katsy Atkins. Contribution can be sent to: Guaranty Bank,
c/o Katheryn Rose “Katsy” Atkins, 3509 South Hills Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76109