Welcome to the Former Texas Rangers Association Web Site. The historical association was founded over 100 years ago in 1897. It was spearheaded by Ranger Captain John S. "RIP" Ford. Due to a stroke Captain Ford was unable to fulfill his mission but a group of Old Rangers met and formed an Ex-Ranger Association. Membership was to include any Ranger that had been honorably discharged from the Ranger Service. The purpose of the organization would be for social and benevolent purposes, and to preserve and collect the history of the Texas Rangers.

Over the years amendments have been made and in 1949 the association became a nonprofit corporation called The Texas Association of Texas Rangers. In 1971 it was re-chartered as the Former Texas Ranger Association.

As part of the Texas Centennial in 1936 Memorial Hall was opened in San Antonio to be a memorial to Pioneers, Old Trail Drivers and Texas Rangers. In 1973 the association opened a Ranger museum in Memorial Hall.  In 2006, the Association opened a satellite museum inside the famous Buckhorn Museum in downtown San Antonio, known as the Texas Ranger Museum.

The mission of the Association has been expanded over the years. Today the mission exists to preserve and perpetuate the true history of the Texas Rangers; to maintain and operate a museum dedicated to the Texas Rangers, including a Ring of Honor in memory of Rangers who lost their lives in the line of duty; to establish commemorative landmarks related to Ranger history; to administer a scholarship program; and to bring active Rangers, former Rangers and Ranger families and descendants together for fellowship, support, and mutual purpose.

Membership in the Association includes Regular Members (former Texas Rangers and lineal descendants of Rangers) and Associate Members ( active Texas Rangers and Special Rangers ). Each member receives a membership certificate, ID card, decal and the newsletter Straight Talk. Each May, the Association holds its annual Membership Meeting and Reunion for fellowship and honoring the Rangers we may have lost over the past year.

Officers of the Association have participated in Texas Ranger Memorial Cross grave markings all over the state. The Association provides through a grant from the Texas Historical Foundation and generous donations from Ranger descendents, a grave marker cross with a Ranger Badge to commemorate the service of these great men. These are very impressive and touching ceremonies honoring great men who helped to make Texas great.

On May 25th 2001, the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas Legislature adopted House Resolution #1065 honoring the Former Texas Rangers Association for it's great service in preserving Texas history and encouraged the Association to build it's new history and education center in the Texas hill country.

To find out if you qualify to be a member of the Association contact us so you can be a link in Texas Ranger History.

Click here to get a print out form.