Phillip Tracy Luman, age 75 of Forsyth, passed away at St. Vincent Hospital on August 12, 2021, surrounded by his loving family, of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
He was born in Los Cruces, New Mexico on September 28, 1945. He was the third son of Norval Ludell Luman and Neva Loree (Williams/Luman). The family moved from Los Cruces to California when Phil was about a year old.
They finally settled in Atwater, California after Norval worked a few other places. Phil and his two brothers, Ken and Roger, grew up in Atwater and attended Atwater schools. Phil was the only one in his family to go on to college. He worked around the Atwater area for a few years and then moved to Nevada where he team roped and was a ranch hand near Elko. He met a fellow team roper at a jackpot in Murphy, Idaho by the name of Bill Davis. They became almost instant friends and Phil went to Bill’s family home in Bruneau where he stayed off and on for many years. He always said, “They are my second family”. Don and Pat Davis stood up with us at our wedding at the justice of the Peace in Elko, along with our friends Glen and Peggy Hough. “Boy was that a fun time!”
Phil and Glen team roped together for many years and were the champion ropers in the NRA in 1972 through 1976 and again in 1980-1981.
He was also champion with Bill Ayre in 1994. He made the finals many times in calf roping and steer wrestling, placing high in the AA several times. He won the college finals with Bill Parker too. His events in college were calf roping, steer wrestling, team roping, and bull riding. He won the ranch rodeo in Glendive one year with our two children, Levi and Jody, his father-in-law Sam Selman, and his brother-in-law Bob Selman. He was a champion many times and way too many to list.
His biggest passion was team roping and teaching (Yes, I was way down the list!)
Phil graduated high school in 1964. He attended college at Dawson Community College in Glendive for two years. Later, he was Dawson’s rodeo coach. We met when we were going to school at Dawson and we got married on August 7, 1974.
We moved to Bozeman where Phil continued his education at MSU Bozeman and graduated with his teaching degree in 1977. He got his Master’s Degree later and was not only a great teacher but was vice-principal of the elementary school at Poplar, Montana.
He taught school for 32 years. He loved teaching and substituted at the Rosebud school right up to his death.
He was preceded in death by both parents and both brothers.
He is survived by his wife Jennell, son Levi and daughter Jody (Jeff) Roberts. He is also survived by four grandchildren; Kynsor Michael Roberts, Destiny Lorae Roberts, Levi Rae Luman, Tracy Anne Luman and sister-in-law Vicki Christophersen and brothers-in-law Jim Selman and Bob (Daisey) Selman, as well as nieces and nephews.
A special thank you to the 3rd-floor staff (especially Tracey) of St. Vincent Hospital for the wonderful care they provided and to Stevenson and Son’s Funeral Home for all the help and care they have shown us.
Thank you to the NRA, YRA, and High School Rodeo associations for having Phil judge – he loved every second of them. Thank you to Radley Dempewolf for convincing the State High School Rodeo staff to have Phil judge State. He had so wanted to judge State for years. You made his dream come true.
We love you and will miss you, Phil.
Family will receive friends on Friday, August 27, 2021 from 5-7 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth. Funeral service Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth. Condolences to the family may be sent by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Friday August 27, 2021
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Funeral Service
2:00 PM
Saturday August 28, 2021
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
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Bradley Craig says
To all of Phil’s family and friends I am sorry for your loss.
I hope and abundance of good memories and joyful times with Phil fill your thoughts in the days ahead.
I don’t exactly remember the first time I saw Phil, but I know I was pretty young. I am not sure if I immediately knew his first name, I just knew that he was one half of “Huffenluman” (Hough and Luman) I do remember the first time he came to our house and arena. He worked with me and my brother on calf roping and he is the person that showed me how to wrestle a steer.
In the years that follow there are so many different memories and stories that come to mind. I know that is true for a very large number of family and friends – we all have memories and stories to tell.
Rest in peace, Phil.
I am grateful to have known you.
Beverly Nile and Jack (Zeke) says
Jenelle and family, we are so saddened by the news of Phil’s passing. Sending you all prayers to get you through this difficult time. God bless!
George and Jan Simmons says
Phil will be missed. To his family may you be blessed with smile from the wonderful memories he leaves behind. God bless each of you today and in the days to come.
Dick and Stacy Goins says
Jennell and family,
Dick and I are so very sorry for your loss. Phil always looked out for me when we were in college and helped me for hours with my roping. He always thought the world of my dad, and I remember him saying one time ” you need to stop listening to anyone else and go home and let your dad help you!! I never forgot that. Our many practice sessions at Glen’s are such great memories. He and Dick had some great times working together in the summer at Big Sky Irrigation. We feel so blessed that we got to be there with you and Jodi on Thursday. We want you to know that anything you need, you just need to pick up the phone. Hold onto all those memories that will bring a smile to your face when you need it the most!! All Our Love. D and S
Mitch Lenning says
Sorry for the Luman family loss. Phil was one of of a kind. He will be missed.
Pat feldmann says
Phil worked sacred heart school in glendive…he worked with a lot of hellions in the 7th grade the kids all had the highest regard for Phil he took no sh**off those kids & they all realized he was a legend in hid time. We all as parents had the highest regard for him ….go give them heck i heaven!
Roy Olsen says
Phil was a good man. I felt honored to know him.
Butch and Shannon Bratsky says
So sorry to hear of the loss of Phil… Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and all of the friends!! RIP COWBOY!!
Bill and Judy McBride says
Janelle, Levi and Jodi,
Prayers for your hurting hearts. May the great memories and the joy of Heaven block out the pain. Phil was such a good man. He was another son to my folks and a brother to Bill (X 2), Ken and I. He loved our family as his own. We will treasure the memories. Sharing in your sorrow with love and friendship.
Judy, Bill and Ken
Rick J Warneke says
Luman family
I am very sorry to hear of phil passing. I was going through some old rodeo pictures with my grandkids last week and i came across pictures of me heeling and bulldogging off of Frog at the college finals.
Phil had such a sarcastic humor that i will never forget.
Rick warneke
Danny and Guelda Halverson says
Our condolences to the Luman family. The rodeo world has lost a true icon. Many Montanans perfected their roping skills with Phil’s guidance. I judged many rodeos with Phil and enjoyed and valued his friendship. I’m sure there is an adequate supply of neck rope string in Heaven and maybe Phil will start cutting those strings a little longer! Rest in peace my friend.
Ken & Reba Senft says
Phil was a real cowboy when he took his horse trail riding with us he didn’t need a trail he blazed trails. Phil is blazing trails in heaven now. Rest in peace you will be very missed. Our prayers are with Phil’s family and friends.
Steve and Patty Davis says
We will miss the roping, eating, laughing and visiting with Phil and you Jennell. Phil was a hero of Steve’s for about 35 years, he will be missed. Our hearts hurt for your loss. He was quite a guy for sure. Please take care of yourself and we will be seeing you.
Ryan Ruddy says
I remember him as the 7th grade math teacher at WMS in Glendive. He always joked with us kids, but never took any kind of disrespect. I also recall him using the overhead projector as his podium. 🙂
LOIS HILL says
Team roping just got a whole lot tougher in Heaven. For a long time HoughNLuman was all one word, I was secretary at a rodeo and Stan Rasmussen was announcing and just for the fun of it listed the team ropers as Phil Luman and Glen Hough–Stan had a tough time saying it that way. Phil was not only a great hand around the rodeo arena, but a fantastic fellow. My love and Prayers go out to his family and friends
Jann Parker says
What a guy! A special friend and tough competitor. Appreciated his efforts each year to flag the BLS Roping, Bill would have it no other way and Phil would have it no other way. Prayers to his family and all his many friends. I know Bill Parker is glad to see him. Rest In Peace, Phil Luman. You are one of the good ones.
Mary Ottoy says
Another legend that will be greatly missed!
My sincere and heartfelt sympathies to his family!
Larry Switzer says
Jennell,
Sorry to hear of Phil’s passing, I was privileged to get to college rodeo with him for a year at Dawson and another at MSU followed by several years in the NRA. He was a great guy with a lot of wisdom & advice that he gladly shared when asked…..and sometimes without being asked!
He leaves a lot of good memories behind.
Karen Hilger Hoffmann says
Jennell, it breaks my heart for your loss of your beloved Phil. May you and your family blessed by your memories of him. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Les Craig says
So sorry for your loss! It is a big loss for all of us! What a great mentor he was to so many! Taught me how to win! Took me under his wing when I was 16, and was generous with knowledge and all he had. A great mentor and my forever friend!
Mary Herden says
Our condolences to the family .We could always count on Phil coming to our Memorial Roping in Forsyth ,and winning the Century roping.Our prayers for the family
.
I
Charlee & Justin Kuhbacher says
If more people stepped up like Phil did for rodeo….it will never die! Thanks for all the dust you ate flagging or judging! We send Love and Comfort to the Luman family….💗
Darlene Kasper says
Janelle, so sorry to hear about Phil. So enjoyed our time in Arizona. Fond memories!!
Laurie Mosher says
Very special place in our hearts for ” Mr. Luman” . He was our son, Brandon’s 3rd grade teacher at Shepherd. Brandon was hurt in a 3 wheeler accident and hospitalized for 9 days! Phil came up to hospital and kept Brandon up to date with studies. When he finally returned to class, Mr. Luman announced: ” Class, I have a special surprise today”… then went on to give a nice ” speech ” welcoming Brandon back! He gifted him with one of his belt buckles! I stood in the hall and balled like a baby! God Bless this man, just know ge has a special place in heaven! ❤
Mike Williams says
I am proud to call Phil a friend. Such a great judge and friend to all the kids he judged rodeos for. He will be missed.
Todd Wynne says
Dear Luman Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I have always been a fan of “Mr. Luman.”
Phil was my third grade teacher in Shepherd, MT. He was my first male teacher. He was one of my favorites, as he saw me for who I was, and met me there. Later on, when I was in high school, was his student aide for two years. During this time, we would have long talks about making good decisions , and he was instrumental in my life and impressionable throughout my school experience.
I had the opportunity to see him in and out of the classroom, as I would often be behind the chutes at the Craig’s house/arena. What I admired about Phil, was that he was the same man at all times. He was kind, sincere, funny, and more than anything— patient.
A funny memory I have, was when I was a third grader, who undoubtedly was driving he and the class crazy, and was probably given about every chance in the world to be quiet—-Mr. Luman had enough. He quietly and calmly unlatched the big windows that doubled as fire escape doors back in the day, lifted me up while I was in my desk, and set me and the desk outside, closed and locked the window, and then went back to teaching! So fun!
I pray for all of his family and friends, and would do anything for a couple days back in third grade!
-Todd Wynne
Liz Bruno says
Luman family,
I send all my love to you during this time. Mr. Luman was my 6th grade teacher in Glendive, and I think the best teacher I ever had. My mom sent me this link because she knew that he meant the world to me. I loved his belt buckles and his sense of humor – he helped me learn to laugh at myself and enjoy life. He also helped me find and understand my talents. He sent off my poems to be published. With a book of poems published as an adult, I know it’s because he encouraged me. He was the first teacher where I felt my creativity could unfold and I could just love life. We put on plays, and we were in the paper over and over again for raking leaves for elderly neighbors, or raising money for adopting a whale, or whatever shenanigans we were up to. I can’t say enough – I really can’t – about what a beautiful impact Mr. Luman had on my life. Thank you for sharing him with schools and students. He made such a difference to me. Even though he dozed off once during my ungodly long presentation on the Incas. Ha! I will always smile and laugh when I think of every part of that year.
Terry Billing says
Phil will be missed by all who knew him. I meet Phil at Rosebud school and loved visiting with him. He was a great sub. The kids all enjoyed and respected him.
Patti Jo Black says
I enjoyed working and visiting with Phil when he was the assistant middle school principal of Poplar Middle School.
He was a nice man with a great heart.
Many prayers and love to his family.
Bob Kinney says
So sorry for your loss .I will remember Phil as a friend and fierce competed !All of the students who had MrLuman for a teacher coach or rodeo judge had one of the best ! He will be missed and rendered by all !!
Pete Rising says
Sorry for your loss. He was a great cowboy and good friend. Loved roping and judging with him.
Joe Spivey says
Janelle and family,
I am so sorry and saddened to learn of Phil’s passing away. Phil was a unique person with noticeable and outstanding talents. He was gifted in working with small children he had the privilege of teaching in my administration at Shepherd Public School System.
Phil displayed much professionalism as he represented the sport of Rodeo. He was an expert team roper and was focused to do well in this event as he competed. This made him a contestant to be watched as he performed his skill. His performance was perfect every time I watched him as a contestant or in practice. He had the procedure down to perfection.
I will always remember and be grateful for the friendship we shared. Visiting with him long-distance over the phone was a special time for me. I looked forward to these visits and will forever miss them.
Phil can now rest in peace.
Helen sends condolences with prayers as you are going through this difficult time.
Marilyn Askin says
My Sympathy and Prayers to all of Phil’s Family.
Tom Ree says
So sad to hear of Phil’s passing. So many good memories of all the good times we had. He will be missed. He was a a true cowboy and a stand up man. It still makes me smile when l remember, in setting the roster for a up coming college rodeo and l had a need for a Bull rider he’d do it and rode well. His skills with a rope was amazing for that era and his ability to pass it on to other’s roping. Good memories. Thanks Phil