By Scott Carlson-NP Post
The Mid-Plains Community College family is mourning the loss of the lead cowboy of their rodeo team.
MPCC rodeo coach Garrett Nokes passed away on Sunday.
Nokes was injured on January 28 when he was kicked in the head by one of his horses.
According to family members, Nokes was life-flighted from the McCook hospital to a Kearney hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and had recovered to the point where he had returned home.
Family members say his passing was sudden and unexpected
According to a Facebook post, Nokes bulldogged at the 2005 National Finals Rodeo and finished fourth in the world that year.
Another big thrill in his cowboy career was winning the #12 and his half of the $290,000 that went with it at the Ariat World Series of Team Roping Finale at the South Point in Vegas with Scott Smith in 2017.
Garrett graduated from Oklahoma Panhandle State University and has been an amazing mentor of young talent as Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team coach in North Platte.
“Garrett’s strong work ethic was second to none. He led by example and held high expectations for his student-athletes to do the same. Garrett will be missed, but the impact he had on people both inside and outside of the rodeo arena will live on through them forever,” said President Ryan Purdy.
Nokes is survived by his wife Laura and their two boys, Trevor and Parker.
An account has been established to support the family:
Garrett Nokes Family Account
P.O. Box 1297
McCook, NE 69001
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ORIGINAL STORY
The head coach of the Mid-Plains Community College rodeo team is recovering after being injured by a horse.
According to a statement from the college, MPCC head rodeo coach Garrett Nokes sustained a head injury from a horse after returning to his home after rodeo practice on the evening of January 28.
Nokes was taken to the McCook Community Hospital and then life-flighted to Kearney where he underwent surgery to treat his head injury.
Garrett is continuing his recovery in Kearney. He was moved to acute rehab yesterday.
“Garrett is a great ambassador for MPCC and the Rodeo Team,” said President Ryan Purdy. “We ask that everyone continue to keep the Nokes family in their thoughts and prayers during this time.”