Harold D (Butch) Hosmer died peacefully at his home on September 13, 2018 of complications from Parkinson's disease. He was 73. He was born on November 22, 1944 to Harold W. Hosmer and Leone Bowles Hosmer. He lived his entire life on his farm near Hudson, CO.
Butch was an avid horseman from an early age. As a child he and his dad raised and showed Shetland Ponies, including his pony "Aristocrat" in the kids' roadster class at the National Western Stock Show when he was just 9 years old. At one time he and his dad had over 60 Shetland Ponies. His interest in cutting horses began when his father bred a mare to a son of Poco Bueno in 1956. He trained and successfully showed the colt Poco Chug through the 1960's.
Butch purchased his farm south of Hudson in 1963 shortly after he turned 18. He attended Colorado State University for 2 years after high school. After he and Barbara (Bruckner) married in 1966, they began concentrating on halter and performance horses as well as starting a family. His two sons, Jason and Jamie, were the light of his life. Many memorable hours were spent on the quarter-sized basketball court that ...[more]
rt that Butch built for the boys. After the boys grew up, his fondness of children was apparent again with Jamie and Rebecca's kids, Audrey and Clark. Being a grandpa meant the world to him.
Butch and Barbara's success in the quarter horse world was well noted throughout the 1960's, 70's and early 80's. They raised and showed the great mare Slippa String who became the World Champion Quarter Horse Mare in 1978. Through the years, they enjoyed tremendous national success raising, showing, breeding and selling the Weiscamp line of quarter horses. During this time Butch became known for having a keen eye for a horse. He was a well-respected judge for all three of the major breed registries: Quarter Horses, Paints, and Appaloosas, as well as for the National Cutting Horse Association.
In time, Butch's love of cowhorses pulled him back in to the cutting arena. He and his second wife Leslie (Long) traveled the western United States successfully showing cutting horses for several years. He was among other things, a finalist at the Non Pro cutting in Amarillo as well as the Western States Cutting Horse Assoc. Reserve Champion Non Pro in 1987.
It was during that time that his enjoyment of bits, spurs, and all things western turned in to the great passion of his life. He always looked forward to travelling the United States in search of the next great find. A fixture at sales and the bit and spur shows, he gained considerable knowledge which he was always willing to share with newcomers to the field.
Butch is survived by his wife Leslie, his son Dr. Jamie (Dr. Rebecca) Hosmer, grandchildren Audrey and Clark Hosmer, sister La Donna Stuckert, nephew Craig Black and Craig's daughter Chyanna Black, and Chyanna's mother Lisa Corzine. He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Leone Hosmer, his former wife Barbara Hosmer, and his son Jason Hosmer.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday September 29 at 2 p.m. at the Tabor Funeral Home, 75 S. 13th Ave, Brighton, CO followed by a gathering at the Alli Event Center from 3-5 p.m. 100 S. Third Ave, Brighton, (just 7 blocks west of Tabor's on Bush St).
Arrangements made by Tabor-Rice Funeral Home.