- James W. Kaaro
Lewistown paper 7-5-1979
Lewistown, MT
James W. Kaaro, 62, well known trick roping artist and former Fergus County Sheriff, died Saturday evening following a performance at Hamilton.
He collapsed while performing at the banquet of the annual convention of Montana Sheriff's and Peace Officers Association and died shortly afterward in the Hamilton Hospital.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2:00 pm at Creel-Morrison-Retz Chapel with Rev. Arthur I Schroeder officiating. Interment will follow in the Lewistown City Cemetery with military honors at graveside by Lewistown American Legion Post No. 16.
Kaaro died just one day after his retirement as a wage investigator for the Montana Department of Labor. He was living at Belgrade at the time of his death.
He was born June 21, 1917 in Great Falls, the son of John & Ellen Kaaro. He was raised in the Fergus area and attended Lewistown Schools.
He was married to Shirley Hansen, July 30, 1973, in Sheridan, Wyoming.
Kaaro broke and trained horses in Central Montana after leaving school, then worked two summers on a dude ranch in California. He saw his first trick roper at a rodeo there and practiced until he became a professional himself.
Kaaro enlisted in the US cavalry in 1939. It was disbanded about this time the US entered World War II. When the change was made to mechanized units, Kaaro injured his leg riding a motorcycle and spent more than a year in a hospital. When he returned to duty, he entertained the troops as a trick roper.
After his discharge from the Army, Kaaro joined a Wild West Show in Georgia. He then traveled with Cole Brothers Circus, beginning in 1948, and then with King Brothers Circus. He performed as a roping artist, trick rider and was also an animal trainer.
Kaaro returned to Montana in 1953. He was in law enforcement from 1957 - 1971, serving two years as Fergus County Sheriff. He was then superintendent of the Montana Center for Aged until moving to Helena to work for the Department of Labor. He recently moved to Belgrade.
Kaaro had performed as a trick roping artist throughout the United States and Canada. He was one of nine ropers invited to the only World Championship Contest ever held, sponsored by the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center in Oklahoma City.
He also performed on the Johnny Carson show on television.
Kaaro was an after-dinner speaker and had entertained at numerous conventions and meeting throughout the state in recent years.
James W. Kaaro
Funeral services for James W. Kaaro was held Thursday afternoon at Creel-Morrison-Retz Funeral Chapel with Rev. Arthur I. Schoeder officiating.
Music was provided by Louise Langford on the organ and Vi and Arthur Schroder sang, the song selections included "No Tears in Heaven", "Its not An Easy Road" & "Beyond the Sunset".
Pallbearers were Joe Hood, Jack Songer, Bud Grindheim, Sonny Smith, Larry Jordan and Don Pfau.
Interment was in Lewistown City Cemetery, Lewistown, Mt.
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1917 - 1979 (62 år)
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