The long time voice of the New Windsor Rodeo has been silenced.

Ron Partlow died early Wednesday morning at Trinity at Terrace Park in Bettendorf. He was diagnosed with liver cancer last October.

Partlow, 71, had a storied career announcing rodeos throughout the United States and Canada that began in 1955. He started his association with the New Windsor Rodeo in 1967.

"He was awfully sick at rodeo time this year and still managed to get out there and say hello to the crowd," said Greg Streeter, the treasurer of the New Windsor Rodeo Board. "He did everything he could up until the last minute."

The New Windsor Rodeo was held last month and the community held a benefit for Partlow on Aug. 29.

Partlow founded the New Windsor Drill Team in 1972, a precision horse riding team that included many area youngsters. He was also a business owner in New Windsor, owning Country Flowers and Gifts for many years.

"He was always about country and community and all those things," Streeter said. "He was pretty special."

A celebration of Partlow's life is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at the New Windsor Rodeo Fairgrounds.