For more than 50 years, Arlon Baize has made his living horseback, working cattle across the ranches of the Texas Big Country. Even in his early 80s, he continues to day work on ranches throughout the Abilene, Albany, Baird and Haskell areas.  

 

After graduating from Wylie High School near Abilene, Baize worked briefly in the lumber business before beginning a lifelong career as a cowboy. He spent years working for the historic Guitar Ranch while operating cattle with his brother near Baird, Texas. Throughout his career, he has worked for ranches, including Snyder, Hemphill, Montgomery, Elliott, Beckham, Windham, Pruet, Scott, Stasney and Akers, among many others.  

 

Baize is known for his quiet demeanor and exceptional stockmanship. He is widely respected for his ability to handle cattle patiently and humanely. His fellow ranchers describe him as dependable, humble and highly skilled in every aspect of ranch work.  

 

“Arlon Baize. There’s not a cowboy in the Abilene, Texas, area who doesn’t recognize that name. He is a legend and everybody loves him,” Craig Pruet, one of Baize’s nominators, said. “Arlon spent his life as a day working cowboy. He never worked full time for any one ranch. He helped them all on their hardest days.” 

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In 2020, Baize was recognized by the Texas Cowboy Reunion with its Working Ranch Cowboy Award.  

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The RHA Working Cowboy Award was established in 2018 to recognize outstanding men and women who make their living in the saddle, taking care of livestock and the land on a daily basis.  ​