Weldon Bascom

Frank Weldon Bascom, a brother of world-renowned cowboy Earl Bascom, was a champion rodeo cowboy and a movie producer. He was born on January 3, 1912, in Naples, Utah. His father, John W. Bascom, had been a deputy sheriff in Utah who chased Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch Gang.

The family owned a ranch in Welling, Alberta, Canada. In 1916, at their ranch, Weldon and his brothers, Earl, Raymond, and Melvin, designed and built history's first side-delivery rodeo chute. He and his brothers, as well as their father, have all been inducted into halls of fame for their rodeo achievements. Weldon rode bulls, saddle broncs, and bareback broncs. He and Earl were champion bull riders and at one time were listed among the top three in the world. His rodeo nickname was “the Preacher.”

While working on the Hickman Ranch near Columbia, Mississippi, Weldon and Earl produced the world’s first night rodeo held outdoors under electric lights (1935). While there, Weldon met and married Rose Flynt. She learned trick roping from Earl and became a skilled trick rider.

In 1939, Weldon and Rose moved to Wyoming where he worked in a coal mine. The next few years found them in Southern California where they both became Hollywood actors and then back to Utah where he worked in mines in Myton and Vernal. After World War II, they moved back to Hollywood just as the Golden Age of the Hollywood Cowboy had begun. He is known for his work on The Lawless Rider (1954, in which Rose starred—he was an associate producer and had a small part as the sheriff), and Rhythm on the Range (1936, where he doubled for Bing Crosby riding a bucking horse). Weldon and Earl also worked on a ranch in Perris, California, which had been owned at one time by Louis B. Mayer of MGM Studios.

Weldon and Rose worked at one time for the Eddie Lee Homes for Youth. He also attended Brigham Young University.

After retirement, Weldon and Rose moved back to Utah and lived in cities in Southern Utah, including Bloomington, Enoch, Parowan, and St. George. They were the parents of four daughters and one son. He passed away on July 9, 1993, in St. George.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.