Tom Glass, four-time Rangeland Derby winner, dies at 77 days before Calgary Stampede
Tom Glass, four-time Rangeland Derby winner, died the weekend of June 27–28, 2026 at 77. Calgary pays tribute as the Stampede opens in days. Fans remember him.
Tom Glass, the celebrated chuckwagon driver whose career spanned decades and whose name became synonymous with the Calgary Stampede, died the weekend of June 27–28, 2026 at the age of 77. Glass’s passing came just days before the opening of the 2026 Calgary Stampede, prompting an outpouring of tributes from civic leaders, fellow competitors and generations of fans. Known as a four-time winner of the Stampede’s Rangeland Derby, he was also remembered as an ambassador, commentator and mentor to younger drivers.
Stampede champion and four-time Rangeland Derby winner
Tom Glass won the hearts of Stampede fans with a string of high-profile victories, including four Rangeland Derby titles that cemented his place in chuckwagon history. He also took the North American Chuckwagon Championship at High River in 1995, a career highlight captured in archival photos and press coverage. Glass’s competitive record across the 1980s and 1990s made him one of the most recognizable figures on the track.
Family ranching roots and multi-generation legacy
Glass came from a family steeped in ranching and chuckwagon tradition, with his son Jason representing a continuation of that lineage. The Glass family — active in prairie horsemanship and western sport for generations — served as Stampede parade marshals in 2003, a public recognition of their long-standing contribution. That multi-generational connection helped make Tom Glass both a local icon and a steward of Alberta’s ranching culture.
Career milestones and memorable moments
Photographs and news clippings from the Calgary Herald and other provincial papers document Tom Glass’s many memorable moments, from tight finishes on Stampede nights to quieter scenes in the barns. He was regularly photographed celebrating wins, tending his team of horses, and waving to crowds after major victories. Those images, preserved across decades, trace a career that blended competitive intensity with a visible affection for the sport and its community.
Voice of the sport: commentator and mentor
Beyond his rigs and trophies, Glass contributed to chuckwagon racing as a commentator and public ambassador, explaining the sport to newcomers and promoting its place in western heritage. He mentored younger drivers and was frequently sought for his perspective on race strategy and horse care. That role off the track reinforced his reputation as a respected elder within the chuckwagon community.
City and Stampede leaders respond to his death
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas called Glass “one of the greatest chuckwagon drivers our city has ever known,” highlighting both his achievements on the track and his stewardship of western traditions. Officials from the Calgary Stampede and numerous past competitors issued statements mourning his loss and noting the timing of his death as the city prepared for the 2026 event. Tributes emphasized Glass’s status as a mentor and ambassador as much as his championship résumé.
Archival photos and public memory
Newspaper archives hold dozens of images, from early career wins in the 1980s to family moments in the 1990s and 2000s, that collectively document Glass’s public life. Among the preserved items are parade appearances, a straw hat noted for its duct-taped brim and multiple press photographs that captured the energy of Stampede nights. Those artifacts helped shape a public memory that blends competitive achievement with the pageantry of Calgary’s summer festival.
Tom Glass’s death leaves a notable gap in the community that gathered each July to celebrate rodeo and chuckwagon racing, but his influence will continue through the drivers he guided and the photographs and records that chronicle his career. As Calgary prepares for the 2026 Stampede, tributes and remembrances are expected to feature prominently, honoring a figure whose life was intertwined with the city’s signature event.
