Rex Trailer, popular cowboy personality of the 60s and 70s, died peacefully Jan. 9, 2013, according to "The Boston Globe". He was 84.
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Rex Trailer grew up around rodeos and started performing in his teens, and it was after a chance meeting with Gabby Hayes that he made the leap from rodeos and ranching to become a television personality. Starting off at the “Oky Doky Ranch” for DuMont Television Network in New York, Rex Trailer moved on to various spots in Philadelphia, and eventually ended up in Boston as the host of “Boomtown” from 1956-1974. While in Boston, he outlasted three sidekicks on the show, his longest partner being “Pablo”, who saddled up with Trailer until 1967.
As a child, this writer tuned in weekly to watch Rex Trailer and Pablo on WBZ Channel 4 in Boston, delighting in the rope tricks and visits from Goldrush, Trailer’s palomino horse. Not lucky enough to appear in person, she lived vicariously through the other children who were guests on “Boomtown” who got a few seconds of air time when they formed a line and waved to friends and family as they walked by the camera. Each child went home with Bonomo Turkish Taffy and Drakes Cakes that were donated by show sponsors, making their appearance on the show even sweeter.
Rex Trailer was in Florida for the holidays and apparently never recovered from a bout of pneumonia.
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