Brother Bronco

Growing up to be a rodeo cowboy like his father and older brother was the life Grant Fox dreamed of as he grew up near Cardston, Alberta, Canada. Part Indian, Grant “grew up in the saddle” on the Blood Indian Reserve, where he learned you have to be tough to survive a cowboy’s life. Lured to Brigham Young University because of its good rodeo team, Grant went there for his education and some rodeo experience—and some other things he wasn’t expecting.

“We went to one rodeo over the Christmas holiday in 1968,” recalls Grant. “I stayed with a good friend. There was a very special feeling in that home, especially as they prayed, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I kept thinking, ‘If I ever have a wife and family, I’d like to have this same feeling in my home.’”

In the rodeo, Grant drew a dangerous bull. “The other cowboys just shook their heads at my luck,” he vividly remembers. “Impressed by my friend’s family, I said a prayer for the first time in my life, asking the Lord to help me do my best and, if possible, keep me from harm.” He rode until the buzzer sounded. That was the beginning of Grant’s faith.

Back at school, another influence came from the girl he was dating, Vikke, who later became his wife. “When I first met Grant, I thought he was a returned missionary,” recalls Vikke. “But he wasn’t even a member.” Grant had a testimony of the gospel already, but he wanted to be sure he could live the commandments before he joined the Church. Blessings came into his life as he prepared for baptism, joined the Church, and became a worthy priesthood holder.

Now a chiropractor and an elders quorum instructor, Grant lives on a ranch thirteen miles from Cardston. He and Vikke have five daughters and three sons.

“Grant is an excellent father,” Vikke says. “He works hard to understand and then just stays steady in the saddle.” As happens in all good marriages, Grant and Vikke credit each other for being strong. Whenever life gets hard, the Fox family has its own vocabulary for hanging on for the whole ride. And they learned it from the rodeo experiences of their dad, Brother Bronco.—Lane Johnson, Salt Lake City, Utah

Grant and Vikke Fox—A rodeo background softened his heart without loosening his grip on his determination.