Dean Oliver was born on November 17, 1929 in Dodge City, Kansas. A frail youngster who developed breathing problems, especially when faced with strenuous activity, his mother took him to a doctor and was told he had a bad heart. He was given a special diet and told to avoid heavy activity. This did not stop him, however, from working on farms and eventually becoming a calf roping legend. He had little interest in rodeo until, as a grown man, he had the incredible sight of a man earning $300 in a few seconds roping a calf at a rodeo in Idaho. He wanted to try for that kind of money. At considerable sacrifice to his family, Oliver bought a roping horse and a practice calf. He practiced in the dark each night after a full day's work. Dean Oliver went on to become the World Champion Calf Roper in 1955, 1958, and from 1960-1965. He was Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Roping Champion in 1969 and 1974. He was World Champion All Around Cowboy in 1963, 1964 and 1965.