At 10:15 am, smoke drifted up from his size 70 boots.

It was last Friday, October 19, 2012, the start of the last weekend of the 2012 Texas State Fair. Just over 60 years ago in the Fall of 1952, the first fairgoer families of that year walked through the entrance to Fair Park, stopped and stared at the Fair’s newest arrival. Together, they held hands and gazed up in wonder, as Big Tex, the world’s tallest talking Texan, greeted them with a loud and friendly “Hoooowwwdeee, Fooollllks!”.

Towering above the crowd last Friday, as he always did, Big Tex, the official mascot of the Texas State Fair, greeted this year’s fairgoer families and their children and was in the middle of his announcements.

Before anyone could do anything, red and yellow flames reached up, traveled quickly to the five-pocket denim jeans, curled around the 23-foot-long belt and caught the red, white and blue Western shirt in a burst of fire, heat and smoke!

Around him in Big Tex Circle, fairgoers pointed and yelled. Teenagers texted for help. Children lowered their eyes and dropped their corny dogs.

It was over in ten minutes.

As the flames engulfed the 52-foot tall frame and 75-gallon cowboy hat, Big Tex kept talking. His long Texas drawl could be heard across the 277-acre Fair Park. He was talking to the end.

Big Tex never recorded his messages. He worked 12 hours a day, alternating between 30 minutes of announcements and 30-minutes breaks. Even on break, he kept waiving and greeting the guests and smiling shyly at the pretty girls.

Last Friday, the big hand finally stopped moving.

Fair workers who had known the rugged good-looking cowboy for years stood silently and cried.

A crane arrived and lowered the charred remains onto a flatbed truck. Workers covered the long frame with a huge piece of canvas. Escorted by Dallas Police officers, the draped figure rolled slowly by. Fairgoers clapped and waved goodbye to their beloved cowboy.

Watching, the Mayor of Dallas, who had rushed to the scene, vowed that Big Tex would return next year.

One of the workers, who knew the cowboy well, as so many did, smiled between the tears and sighed, “It’s a new beginning.” His tone brightening, he added, “Because we’re going to build him back bigger and better than ever.”

It is a new beginning.

We look forward to seeing and hearing you again next year, Big Fella, bigger and better than ever,

Grandpa Jim