'Keep his name alive': Family honors murdered teen with memorial rodeo
Ryder Lewis, a 16-year-old sophomore at Newcastle High School in Oklahoma, was murdered three days before Christmas.
His family is organizing a memorial rodeo on May 31 to honor his memory.
"Whether I was hunting, fishing or rodeoing, he was right next to me,鈥� said Rowdy Lewis, Ryder Lewis鈥� brother. "He was actually able to enter his first couple rodeos just before everything happened."
Ryder was known for his love of being a cowboy and spending time with his older brother.
"We were turkey hunters, and that was his favorite season. He counted down the days for it. I wish I could take him out one more time and do that,鈥� Rowdy Lewis said.
"We want to keep his memories, his name alive,鈥� said Kim Dillon, Ryder Lewis鈥� aunt. "If you were with Ryder, you would smile. You would laugh until you cry. You couldn鈥檛 have a bad day. He was very, very precious."
"I鈥檓 grateful enough to know people in the rodeo community that offered to donate their time,鈥� Rowdy Lewis said. "I plan on having it next year. I plan on making it a yearly event around this time every year just to 鈥� that way everyone can remember him. We can celebrate him year after year."
The family hopes to celebrate Ryder's life each year with the rodeo, a sport he truly loved.
The memorial rodeo is scheduled for 7 p.m. on May 31 at the Tuttle Round Up Club. Gates open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $10 at the gate.
If you would like to donate or be a sponsor to help make the event happen, you can click .
