Charlie Battles was an American steer wrestler, rancher, U.S. Army veteran, and livestock contractor. Although best known as Reba McEntire’s first husband, Battles had already built an elite rodeo career before their marriage. Born on March 9, 1945, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Battles spent most of his life in professional rodeo, cattle ranching, and livestock operations.
Profile Summary: Charlie Battles
| Personal Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Charles Warner Battles |
| Known As | Charlie Battles |
| Date of Birth | March 9, 1945 |
| Place of Birth | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States |
| Date of Death | April 21, 2013 |
| Age at Death | 68 years |
| Place of Death | Sulphur, Louisiana, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Steer Wrestler, Rancher, U.S. Army Veteran, Livestock Contractor |
| Military Service | United States Army (1962–1965) |
| Military Role | Armor Intelligence Specialist |
| Known For | Champion steer wrestler and first husband of Reba McEntire |
| Father | Earl Battles |
| Mother | Ocey Battles Pack |
| Siblings | Jim Battles (brother), Roxey Battles (sister) |
| First Wife | Name not publicly confirmed |
| Second Wife | Reba McEntire (m. 1976–1987) |
| Third Wife | Donna Granger (m. 1998–2013) |
| Children | Lance Battles and Coty Battles |
| Major Rodeo Achievement | IRA Steer Wrestling Champion (1968, 1970, 1971); Qualified for the 1974 PRCA National Finals Rodeo |
| Cause of Death | Heart failure with complications from a 2006 stroke |
Who Was Charlie Battles? Army Service and Rodeo Career
Battles enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1962 at age 17. He completed training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, served in West Germany as an Armor Intelligence Specialist, and received an honorable discharge in July 1965.
Returning to Oklahoma, Battles entered professional rodeo. He established his reputation by winning the International Rodeo Association (IRA) Steer Wrestling World Championship three times—in 1968, 1970, and 1971. In 1974, he reached the sport’s premier level by qualifying for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) National Finals Rodeo (NFR).
Marriage to Reba McEntire and Family Life
Battles met Reba McEntire on the Oklahoma rodeo circuit in the early 1970s. They married on June 21, 1976, when Battles was 31 and McEntire was 21.
Battles had two sons, Lance and Coty, from a previous marriage, whom McEntire helped raise as a stepmother. The couple had no biological children together. As McEntire’s recording career expanded into national touring during the 1980s, Battles remained focused on their Oklahoma ranch. Their careers increasingly moved in different directions before the couple divorced in 1987.
The Divorce: Reba’s Statements vs. Charlie’s Silence
The couple divorced in 1987 after eleven years of marriage. Most public details regarding the split come from McEntire’s 1994 autobiography, Reba: My Story, where she cited financial disputes and her choice to prioritize her music career over the relationship.
Battles never published a memoir, gave tell-all interviews, or publicly disputed McEntire’s account. Following the settlement, he stepped away from entertainment media and returned to private ranching life in the Southwest.
Later Years: Ranching and PRCA Livestock Company
Battles competed into the early 1990s before transitioning to stock contracting. In 1995, he acquired a stock business and founded the Charlie Battles PRCA Rodeo Livestock Company, supplying livestock to sanctioned events across the southern circuit.
In 1998, Battles married Donna Granger. The couple lived in Detroit, Texas, before settling in Sulphur, Louisiana, maintaining a private life centered on cattle and rodeo contracting.
Separation Timeline and the Narvel Blackstock Rumor
Tabloid speculation often suggested McEntire left Battles directly to be with steel guitarist and manager Narvel Blackstock. The factual timeline contradicts that narrative:
-
1980: Blackstock joined McEntire’s touring band.
-
1987: Battles and McEntire finalized their divorce after years of career strain.
-
1989: McEntire married Blackstock in Lake Tahoe, two years after the legal dissolution of her first marriage.
Battles never alleged infidelity, and McEntire maintained that lifestyle differences and career demands ended the marriage.
Health Challenges and Cause of Death
In 2006, Battles suffered a severe stroke that left him permanently disabled and ended his active ranching work. His wife, Donna, was his primary caregiver at their home in Sulphur, Louisiana.
Battles died on April 21, 2013, at age 68. While some entertainment outlets noted only a stroke, his official obituary confirms the immediate cause of death was heart failure, compounded by complications from his 2006 stroke.
Charlie Battles’ Rodeo Legacy and Lasting Impact
Battles’ rodeo career was defined by three IRA steer wrestling titles and qualification for the 1974 PRCA National Finals Rodeo. After retiring from competition, he remained involved in professional rodeo through livestock contracting, supporting the sport across the southern circuit until his later years.
Conclusion
Charlie Battles built a multifaceted life centered on military service, athletic achievement, and western business operations. While mainstream audiences recognize him primarily through his connection to Reba McEntire, his accomplishments as a champion steer wrestler and PRCA stock contractor established a career that extended well beyond his association with Reba McEntire.
FAQs About Charlie Battles
Did Charlie Battles remarry after divorcing Reba McEntire?
Yes. Charlie Battles married Donna Granger in 1998. The couple lived in Detroit, Texas, and later settled in Sulphur, Louisiana, remaining together until his death in 2013.
What military role did Charlie Battles serve in?
Battles enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1962, trained at Fort Leonard Wood, and served in West Germany as an Armor Intelligence Specialist before receiving an honorable discharge in 1965.
When was Charlie Battles married to Reba McEntire?
They married on June 21, 1976, and divorced in 1987 after 11 years of marriage.
Did Charlie Battles and Reba McEntire have children?
No. They had no biological children together. Battles had two sons, Lance and Coty, from a previous marriage.
Did Reba leave Charlie Battles for Narvel Blackstock?
No documented record supports this. The divorce was finalized in 1987, and McEntire married Blackstock two years later, in 1989.
What was Charlie Battles’ official cause of death?
He died on April 21, 2013, from heart failure and complications resulting from a 2006 stroke.
See More: Donna Quinter: Inside The Life Of Micky Dolenz’s Wife
