Gordie Peer's western memorabilia to be sold at auction

OKEECHOBEE – A lifetime’s collection of cowboy and western memorabilia will be auctioned off  to fund an Agricultural Memorial Scholarship.

On June 13 and 14, 2025, the estate of beloved cowboy and stuntman Gordie Peer will be auctioned to the public in a special two-day event presented by Holt Auctioneers, at 2176 NW 50th Ave in Okeechobee.

Bidding will begin at 10 a.m. each day.

An auction preview available on June 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This auction honors a man whose life embodied the true spirit of the American West.

In tribute to Gordie’s lifelong passion for agriculture and youth education, all proceeds will go toward creating an Agricultural Memorial Scholarship in his name. This scholarship will support young men and women pursuing agricultural studies and careers — ensuring that Gordie’s legacy of mentorship and tradition lives on.

“Gordie wasn’t just a performer—he was a teacher, a storyteller, and a symbol of cowboy values,” said Charles Holt, auction coordinator at Holt Auctioneers. “This event is a way to celebrate his life and give back in the way he would’ve wanted.”

Gordie Peer’s personal collection includes:

• Authentic cowboy gear, trick ropes, and tack,
• Western film and rodeo memorabilia,
• Antiques, firearms, and rustic collectibles,
• Ranch equipment and personal mementos.

Peer, who died in March, was a well-known member of the Okeechobee community. He was famous for his skill with a whip, his knowledge of cowboy lore and his talent for telling an interesting yarn.

Peer loved to tell a good story.  It didn't matter that details in Peer’s stories did not always match up. He liked to keep things interesting, and once admitted he would sometimes fib to reporters to just see if they would print it.

In one version of his life’s tale, he jumped a train at age 12 and wound up working in a wild west show, then later joined the Marines by lying about his age.

In another, he joined the Marines with two friends right after high school graduation.

In the 1950s, Peer found work in Hollywood working as an extra and a stuntman in western movies.  Peer appeared in numerous movies and worked with legends like Clayton Moore (The Lone Ranger), Paul Newman and legendary western star Lash Larue.  (Before he met Gordie, Lash LaRue had a stunt man who cracked the whip. Gordie taught him to how to do it himself.) 

Peer appeared in the 1955 movie “Battle Cry,” that starred Van Heflin and Aldo Ray.

In 1958 or 1959 (the story varied), he found a winter home in Okeechobee, traveling to wild west shows and rodeos the rest of the year.

He was interested in sharing his knowledge with others, especially with young people. From 2001 to 2019, he hosted Cowboy Gatherings at his VP Ranch in Okeechobee County, where seasoned cowboys taught skills such as roping, whip cracking and knife throwing.  

His extensive collection of cowboy memorabilia, which he regularly shared in displays at the Okeechobee Public Library, was featured on the American Pickers television program in 2020.