Keith Maddox, dubbed “The Hat King” for his longtime stewardship of the American Hat Co., has been named winner of the inaugural Barry Corbin Award for Grit and Generosity by the nonprofit Roundup for Autism in Fort Worth.

The organization will present the award posthumously to Maddox’s family Sept. 21 at the 37th Annual Roundup for Autism at River Ranch in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Corbin is a longtime supporter of Roundup for Autism and Maddox, prior to his death in 2019, was as well, Bobby Norris, founder of the Roundup, an annual fundraiser that benefits the Autism Treatment Center and its operations in Fort Worth, Dallas and San Antonio, said. For more information: atcoftexas.org and roundupforautism.org.

“Keith Maddox, for decades, was deeply involved in this event as a board member and sponsor, always the first to offer help in any way he could,” Norris said in a release.

“Beyond his contributions to the Roundup for Autism, Keith was a mentor and supporter to hundreds of cowgirls and cowboys, making countless contributions to the rodeo community. It was an honor to call him my friend.”

The Emmy Award-winning Corbin said “Keith was a tireless supporter of the Roundup for Autism from the beginning, and I loved spending time with him. I always admired Keith for his business sense, and even more for this generosity and dedication to helping others. Keith’s contributions left an indelible mark not only in Texas, but on the international western community, and this award is a testament to his enduring legacy.”

Maddox was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2021. As a youth, he rode bucking bulls and bareback broncs and participated in fresh team roping, according to his Hall of Fame biography.

After college, he went to work for companies in western apparel, including Tem-Tex, Hyer Boots, Tony Lama Boots and Larry Mahan Boots. He then opened The Best Hat Store in the Fort Worth Stockyards, maker and retailer of hats, and later revived The American Hat Co.

Editor’s note: 360West is a sponsor of the 2024 Roundup for Autism.