Debbie Garrison, Walt Garrison’s wife, is devastated by his untimely death. We are praying for her strength during these difficult times. Debbie and Walt met on the rodeo circuit when they were both on business. While she was performing, he was hawking tobacco goods. Walter Benton Garrison was an American professional football player who played fullback for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL). He was born on July 23, 1944.
Garrison grew up in Denton, Texas, and attended Lewisville High School. Garrison received a football scholarship from Oklahoma State University with the intention of playing linebacker. He started school in the fall of 1962 and played linebacker in the freshmen team’s two games that season. These games were place in Stillwater, Arkansas, and Norman, Oklahoma. Garrison was selected by the Cowboys in the fifth round of the 1966 NFL Draft.
He made a huge effect on the Cowboys over his nine-year career, including winning a Super Bowl. Unfortunately, Garrison died on October 11, 2023, at the age of 79, leaving a legacy of physical brilliance and tenacity to both football and the rodeo world.
Meet Walt Garrison’s Wife, Rodeo Star Debbie Garrison
Debbie Garrison is Walt Garrison’s second wife. The former NFL great has previously married someone. His first wife was Pamela Phillips, with whom he married on June 30, 1967. The relationship, however, was short-lived, as they split up on August 30, 1985. But our story’s hero, Walt, was a hopeless romantic. He would not easily give up on love and would continue to believe in it.
So, on August 23, 1986, less than a year later, Walt married his second wife, Debbie Garrison. Walt Garrison met Debbie Garrison on the rodeo circuit, where they both competed during their separate seasons. Their first meeting occurred during a ‘endorsement’ round, forming a bond between them. Debbie Garrison told the Oklahoman of their encounter, “He was promoting tobacco products, and I also had promotions.” We met when we ran into each other at western shop openings and the like.” Walt and Debbie married in August 1986, and they had a happy marriage that lasted almost two decades until they divorced in 2005.
Debbie Garrison’s Life
Debbie was a rodeo queen who had a lifetime love of the sport and eventually made it to the professional circuit as an adult. Debbie Garrison was crowned Miss Rodeo America in 1979. She also became a member of the Pro Women’s Rodeo Association, providing consistently remarkable performances. When asked about rodeo queen events, she said, “Some people believe it’s rigged in rodeo queen contests.” But it’s a whole other story when it comes to rodeoing. This is solely depending on your performance.”
Throughout their marriage, the pair made their home in Argyle, Texas, to be close to the rodeo. “We have 23 acres and live above a horse barn,” Debbie stated. We designed it this way so that we could hear the horses if anything went wrong. Our objective was to have our own property where we could live, have horses, and have an arena.” Walt Garrison’s long and happy marriage to Debbie ended in 2005, giving birth to two children, the most noteworthy of which being their son Marty.
Remembering Walt, The Cowboys’ Superstar
Walt Garrison, a gritty running back for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960s and 1970s and a prominent member of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, has yesterday at the age of 79. On Thursday, the Cowboys confirmed his death on their official website. The statement did not indicate the time, location, or cause of his death.
Garrison, a real Texan who mirrored the famed blue star that graced the Cowboys’ 50-yard line, was not only a powerful ball carrier but also a de facto mascot for his club. He was often featured with a wisp of tobacco between his cheek and gum, a distinctive element in his long-running Skoal smokeless tobacco advertisements. Garrison’s accent was evocative of a twanging pedal-steel guitar. His cowboy hats seemed to be as long as the Rio Grande. He always had a sharp knife in his back pocket, ready to whittle sticks.
