This week in Petroplex Region history.
John Richard Erickson, born on October 20, 1943
John Richard Erickson (born October 20, 1943), known for creating the beloved Hank the Cowdog series, was born in Midland, Texas. Raised in Perryton, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1966. Erickson, a cowboy and author, began publishing short stories in 1967 while working on ranches in Texas and Oklahoma. In 1982, facing rejections, he founded Maverick Books, introducing Hank the Cowdog, a series that has sold over 8.5 million copies. Despite losing his ranch home in a 2017 Texas Panhandle fire, Erickson continues his literary contributions, emphasizing resilience. Now residing in Perryton with his wife, he remains a key figure in children’s literature, celebrated for Hank’s enduring adventures.
