The St. Paul Rodeo Association initiated a Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1998 for those outstanding individuals in various segments of the rodeo over its long history. Inductees can include past champions, stock contractors, contract acts, local committee individuals, and outstanding horses or bulls. Inductees are honored during a steak barbecue each year on the day prior to the commencement of rodeo activities. Jackie Wright, (Rough Stock Rider) now of Tigard, grew up in Dayville, Oregon and is a two-event champion of St. Paul Rodeo and a NFR qualifier. He won our Bareback Riding event in 1963, and he won our Saddle Bronc riding and All-Around in 1966. Jackie was a fixture around the entry office in those days as an “old-school cowboy” who normally traveled with roughstock riders Jim Roeser and George Menkenmeier. Jackie’s son, Scotty, carried on the family rodeo tradition by becoming a high school rodeo champ and competing in the Bareback event throughout the Columbia River Circuit. Western Rodeos, Inc. – Dan & Linda Russell, (Contract Act/Personnel) now living in Henryetta, Oklahoma (also based in Folsom, CA) have been supplying rodeo livestock to St. Paul Rodeo since 1989. This year marks 19 consecutive years for us with the Russell family. Over that span, due to a great breeding program, Western Rodeos has had many honors numerous times. The Russell name is synonymous with rodeo as three generations, starting with Dan H., now including son, Dan J., have been involved. Gary Simon, (Board/Committeeman) of Woodburn, Oregon served on our Board of Directors from 1986 to 1997. He accomplished a lot in that time. While on the Board, Gary and his wife, Diane, chaired our Queen & Court committee. Gary served as SPR treasurer for ten years and ascended to the role of President in 1997. He was the driving force behind the formation of this Hall of Fame in 1998. Gary was instrumental in creating the St. Paul Rodeo Foundation, and he also helped to get Gene Smith’s book on the St. Paul Rodeo off the ground. Along with Diane and their daughter and son-in-law, Gary continues to have an active role with the St. Paul Rodeo. Buddy Schneider, (General Membership) of St. Paul, was the “Man in White” at St. Paul Rodeo for many years. It was Buddy’s job to keep our traditional rodeo stadium white and bright with gallons of paint, and he took great pride in his work. When writers and photographers came to the grounds for their pre-rodeo stories, it was often Buddy who became the face of the St. Paul Rodeo. He liked to say, “Look at me – white again!” Buddy’s wife, Nancy, and daughter, Laura, are regulars in the Ticket Office and his step-sons have all competed in our Wild Horse Race. John Weisz, (General Membership) farmer and rancher of Gervais, Oregon has been involved with St. Paul Rodeo for many years. In his earlier days, when the Wild Cow Milking was a major timed event here, John’s strength as a mugger made him a champion. He has managed our unsaddling chute under the Section C grandstand for most of his life. John’s daughter, Pam, was Queen of St. Paul Rodeo in 1979, and his sister, Darlene, was a SPR princess. His brother-in-law, Larry Mahan, is rodeo’s pride and joy from Brooks, Oregon. Along with this wife, Gerri, and son, Greg, John continues to support St Paul Rodeo and hasn’t retired his position yet. Jim Bothum, (Rough Stock Rider) Prineville, Oregon was raised in the Woodburn area and won the Saddle Bronc riding at St. Paul Rodeo for the first time in 1965. In 1983, he came back and won it again. Jim came from a large family of rodeo enthusiasts including his deceased brother, J. Shirly Bothum, nationally recognized bronze sculptor. His cowboy nephew, David, has also competed in the Saddle Bronc Riding at St. Paul.
Year Inducted 2006 Rudy Doucette, (Timed Event Cowboy/Cowgirl) of Keizer, Oregon competed in all timed events at St. Paul during the fifties. Rudy was the Calf Roping Champion at St. Paul in 1951. The same year, he set our arena record in the Wild Cow Milking (17.8 seconds). Rudy was our Steer Wrestling Champion in 1954. He has always enjoyed the Western lifestyle, and was able to ³play² cowboy, in his Hollywood career as a cowboy actor. He married and raised a family with our 1951 St. Paul Rodeo princess, Joanne Coleman. Don Kish, (Contract Act/Personnel) Red Bluff, California is in his 25th year as a rodeo stock contractor supplying stock to the St. Paul Rodeo. He arrived here with Growney Bros Rodeo in 1982 and has served as pick-up man in our arena. Don is well known in rodeo circles as owner/supplier of many of the greatest bucking bulls of all time, including the incomparable Wolfman who bucked Wade Leslie to a perfect 100 point ride. Over the years, Don has had many great bulls qualify for the WNFR and the PBR World Finals. Jim Gooding, (Board/Committeeman) (deceased) St. Paul, Oregon was one of the original eight founders of the St. Paul Rodeo. He served on our Board of Directors from 1936 to 1941. Jim owned a general store/tavern in the center of town. His business savvy and rapport with the bank made it possible for the rodeo to borrow needed funds during its early days. Jim's son, Charles, grandson Charlie (Skip), granddaughter Charlotte Kelly and their respective families continue the Gooding tradition as St. Paul Rodeo members. Pat Smith, (General Membership) St. Paul, has held an active role in our rodeo since age 21 in 1951 when her husband, Gene, became Secretary-Treasurer of the St. Paul Rodeo. She served as the secretary¹s secretary until 1997 when Gene retired from the Board. She also served many years on the Queen and Court Committee and later helped organize many of our court reunions. In recent years, Pat has served the rodeo as consultant to son, Kevin, current rodeo secretary and historian. Doug Brown, (Rough Stock Rider) native of Silverton, Oregon competed in the Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding events at St. Paul over twenty years, from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s. Doug is the 1969 PRCA World Champion Bull Rider. He married our 1964 SPR Queen, Darcy Dunson, and has stayed connected to St. Paul, including serving as an official judge at the St. Paul Rodeo. He continues along the rodeo trail, while representing the Justin Boot Company, an official PRCA national sponsor. Jimmie Cooper, (Timed Event Cowboy/Cowgirl) Monument, New Mexico ranks in the top 100 PRCA money earners of all time. Jimmie was the 1983 Steer Wrestling Champion at St. Paul and won our all-Around prize in 1983, 1985, and 1986. This feat earned him permanent possession of the fourth President's Trophy presented in our rodeo's 70-year history. Jimmie is the 1981 PRCA World Champion All-Around Cowboy. He continues to compete in rodeo; we expect to see him return to St. Paul this year. Bob Tallman, (Contract Act/Personnel) Weatherford, Texas has announced the St. Paul Rodeo fifteen times since 1988 and doesn't intend to stop now. In 2004, Bob was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs. He has been behind the microphone for eighteen National Finals Rodeos and named PRCA Announcer of the Year seven times. During his illustrious career, he has graced most of the premier events in the sport with his voice, command of information, and showmanship. Bob's life has taken him from Nevada to Oregon to Texas, where is now resides with his wife, Kristen. Steve Coleman, (Board/Committeeman) Molalla, Oregon grew up in a rodeo family in St. Paul and continues to farm and ranch in the area. As a contestant, he won the Bareback Riding event here in 1980. First elected to the SPR Board of Directors in 1979, Steve served as President from 1988-1990, and continues to be an integral part of SPR as Chute Boss and Livestock Director. In 2003, Steve was selected by the PRCA as Justin's Committeeman of the Year, an honor he graciously shared with our entire membership. His connection in the rodeo world and his expertise with livestock are invaluable resources for the St. Paul Rodeo. His wife, Cathy, and his children are all rodeo enthusiasts. His mother, Maureen, entered our Hall of Fame in 2000. Donna Smith (deceased), (General Membership) St. Paul, Oregon was a mainstay of the St Paul Rodeo Ticket Committee beginning in 1953, chairing it for 40 years, until her retirement in 1997. Donna served on the Rodeo's Board of Directors from 1989 through 1997, including three years as Vice-President. Along with her husband, Bill, a 33 year SPR director, Donna lived and breathed St. Paul Rodeo. They raised their family in the western lifestyle, and their children continue the tradition today. Their son Bill is the current President of the St. Paul Rodeo and daughters, Cheri and Lisa are SPR members. Donna's father-in-law, William M. Smith, was the first President of the St. Paul Rodeo. Clay O'Brien Cooper, (Timed Event Cowboy/Cowgirl) Glen Rose, Texas is one of the elite - a 1.7 million dollar ProRodeo money earner. He joined the PRCA in 1979 and won $103,478 while placing fifth for the world in heeling just last year. Clay was a Champion Team Roper at St. Paul in 1989, 1992, 1997 and won our Calf Roping in 1988. He was St. Paul All-Around Champ in 1992 and 1995. Clay has seven world titles in Team Roping - 1985-86-87-88-89-92-94. Stub Johnson, (Contract Act/Personnel) St. Helens, Oregon has been a big part of the St. Paul Rodeo for over 40 years. He competed in several events and worked as pick-up man here with Christensen Brothers Rodeo Co. during the '60's and '70's. Stub has been St. Paul Rodeo's timed event Chute Boss for many years, retiring last year, 2003. Judy Ackley (Contract Act/Personnel) lives with her husband, Dan, in Prineville, Oregon. She has been our St. Paul Rodeo entry office secretary since 1988, a 16 year span. Judy was honored to serve as secretary of the WNFR in Las Vegas in 2002 and has, also, secretaried many large and small rodeos in the West, including Pendleton, Ellensburg, Hermiston, Sublimity, and Puyallup. Ted McKillip (deceased), (Board/Committeeman) St. Paul, Oregon served on the Board of Directors from 1960 to 1989. He was rodeo Vice-President from 1974 to 1977 and President from 1978 through 1980. Ted and his wife, Margaret, served on many rodeo committees, but his grandest accomplishment was establishing and maintaining the St. Paul Rodeo Tack Room bar under the grandstands at Section E. Ray Richardson, (General Membership) St. Paul, Oregon has been a mainstay of the St. Paul Rodeo Grounds Committee for 30 years. He began by helping his friend, Cy Ferschweiler, and has continued to be an integral player in the upkeep of our fine facility. Because of people like Ray, our arena has a national reputation for its beauty. Ray is available to the Association for all kinds of chores, at any time of the year, whenever the need arises. Bruce Ford, (Rough Stock Rider) of Kersey, Colorado, was Bareback Riding Champion at St. Paul in 1985 and 1989 and World Champion Bareback Rider five times — 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1987. He can be remembered for his western handle-bar mustache, very visible in the arena. Pat Nogle, (Timed Event Cowboy/Cowgirl) of Grass Valley, Oregon, was the Steer Wrestling Champion at St. Paul in 1976, 1986, and 1992. He continues to compete in the arena and his family is involved in high-school rodeo in the Northwest. Wick Peth, (Contract Act/Personnel) of Bow, Washington was the first real bullfighter at the S. Paul Rodeo and was here with us for eight years. He dressed in clown clothes with baggy pants, but only worked the bull-riding event. Wick was chosen to work the National Finals Rodeo many times. Bill Miller (Board/Committeeman) , St. Paul, Oregon, served 21 years on the Board of Directors, was Vice-President in 1988-1990 and President in 1991-1993. His special areas of concern were concessions and maintenance. Bill was and is always available throughout the year for whatever needs to be done at the grounds. Along with his wife, Donna, bill has served on the Queen and Court Committee for a very long time. George Bernards (General Membership) , St. Paul, Oregon, worked as a Chairman of the Gatemen Committee for many, many years and served on the Trail-ride Refreshment Committee probably since its inception. He has been a true rodeo supporter, riding his horse and supplying a horse for so-inclined parish priest and other dignitaries over the years. Walker, Enoch (deceased) (Rough Stock Rider) of Cody, Wyoming was St. Paul Saddle Bronc Riding Champion in 1957, 1958 and 1964 and World Champion SB Rider in 1960. During his last appearance at the National Finals Rodeo, his horse reared in the chute with him and seriously injured his back. Enoch died at the age of 45 and left three sons who reside in the Billings, Montana area. OLIVER, Dean, (Timed Event Cowboy/Cowgirl) Boise, Idaho, was St. Paul Rodeo Calf Roping Champion in 1960, 1962 & 1974 and World Champion Calf Roper eight times: 1955, 1958, 1960-1964, & 1969. He was also World Champion All-Around Cowboy in 1963, 1964, & 1965. Dean is well known in rodeo and has served as Calf Roping Director of the PRCA many times. GROWNEY, John, (Contract Act/Personnel) Managing Director of Growney Brothers Rodeo Company of Red Bluff, California, has been a stock contractor at St. Paul since 1982. He was elected PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year in 2000. Growney Brothers is home to the bull, Wolfman, who teamed with cowboy, Wade Leslie for the only 100-point ride in pro-rodeo history. FERSCHWEILER, Cy, (deceased) (Board/Committeeman) Gervais, Oregon, served on the Board of Directors from 1972 to 1998, was Vice-President from 1983 to 1985 and President from 1986 to 1989. Cy was chairman of the Grounds Committee for many, many years. For weeks prior to the rodeo, he spent more time at the grounds doing whatever was needed than any other rodeo member, sometimes enlisting the help of his wife, Anita. McKillip, Delores "Dee" (General Membership) , St. Paul, Oregon grew up with the rodeo. Her father, Maurice Smith, was one of its eight founders. Dee rode in parades and grand entries, was a rodeo princess in 1947, and competed in the Girls’ Barrel Race and other horse races. She and her husband, John, worked on the Queen’s Committee, and Dee has served as Rodeo Social Chairman for many years. She continues to be seen riding her horse around the community. Joe Alexander (Rough Stock Rider) - Of Cora, WY, St. Paul Rodeo Bareback Riding Champion in 1973, 1976, and 1977. He was also the World's Champion Bareback Rider from 1971 through 1976. Joe had a classic bareback riding style and won first at nearly every major rodeo in the country Bob Ragsdale - (Timed Event Cowboy/Cowgirl) Of Chowchilla, CA, St. Paul Rodeo Champion Calf Roper in 1963, 1964, 1969, and 1970 (the only four-time winner in any event at St. Paul) and St. Paul All-Around Champion Cowboy in 1963 and 1969. He is an ex-president of the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association. Wilbur Plaugher (Contract Act/Personnel) - Of Sanger, CA, Rodeo Clown and Bull Fighter, first hired at St. Paul in 1962. From that time until 1990, he worked our rodeo 15 different years. Wilbur was known throughout the nation as a "funny man" and in his younger days also rode saddle broncs and wrestled steers. John McKillip, Sr. (deceased) (Board/Committeeman) - One of the eight original founders of the rodeo, he served as Director 1936-1970, Secretary 1936 & 1937, Vice-President 1952-1954, and President 1955-1970. John was in charge of grounds, concessions and wild horses for many of our early years. Tony Halter (General Membership) - Long-time Rodeo Member, served four years on the Board of Directors in the early 1970s. Tony led all rodeo grand entries and parades for over 40 years carrying the American flag and was joined in later years by his sons, Bill and Jerry. They took special care with matching horses and equipment. Harry Tompkins (Rough Stock Rider) - St. Paul Bull Riding Champion 1950,1951,1954 and Bareback Riding Champion 1953, 1954. P.R.C.A. Champion Bull Rider 1948,1949,1950,1952,1960, Champion Bareback Rider 1952 and All-Around Champion 1952,1960. In 1964, Harry designed our rodeo bucking chutes, which are still in use. Harry Charters (deceased) (Timed Event Cowboy/Cowgirl) - St. Paul Rodeo All-Around Champion 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964; St. Paul Champion Steer Wrestler in 1959, 1961, 1962, 1964 and Champion Calf Roper 1961, 1964. P.R.C.A. World Champion Steer Wrestler in 1959. Harry was a large cowboy with a big smile and was a crowd-favorite here. Christensen Brothers (Contract Act/Personnel) , Livestock Contractors - Henry (deceased) and Bob Christensen supplied rodeo stock for St. Paul for a couple of years in the early '40s and again from 1961 to 1990, the last few years as a part of the Christensen/Vold string. Bob, Jr. was manager of their organization during many of the later years. Gene Smith (deceased) (Board/Committeeman) - Served as St. Paul Rodeo Secretary for 46 years. His father, Carl, was one of the original founders of the rodeo and Gene has been a part of the rodeo all of his life. In 1988, he was selected Justin Committeeman of the Year. Gene wrote a book, "The St. Paul Rodeo, My Labor of Love", which chronicles the birth and development of the rodeo. Maureen Coleman (General Membership) - Along with her husband, Don, she served as Chairman of the Queen and Court Committee for 27 years and raised a large family of rodeo participants and fans. Maureen has always had her heart in rodeo and has been one of our best volunteers. Jim Shoulders, (Rough Stock Rider) Henryetta, OK St. Paul Rodeo Bareback Riding Champion in 1951, '52 and '55 and Bull Riding Champion in 1948, '49, and '52. Jim held 16 P.R.C.A. World Championships and went on to become a rodeo producer. He was featured in Wrangler commercials and, over the years, his name became synonymous withthe sport of rodeo. Buddy Groff, (Timed Event Cowboy/Cowgirl) Hondo TX All-Around Champion Cowboy at St. Paul in 1951, '53, '55, '58, retiring one of our three-win trophies. His event wins were Calf Roping in 1953, '55, , and '58; Steer Wrestling in 1955, and Wild Cow Milking in 1951 and '53. Once offered the chance to try out with the St. Louis Cardinals, he declined in favor of a rodeo career. Charmayne James, (Timed Event Cowboy/Cowgirl) Stephenville, TX Along with her great horse, Scamper, she won the Barrel Racing at St. Paul from 1989 to 1994, inclusive, and was World Champion Barrel Racer ten times. Charmayne started P.R.C.A. barrel racing in 1984 at the age of 14 and continues to be very competitive in the event. Harley M. Tucker (Contract Act/Personnel), Joseph, OR (deceased) Stock Contractor who furnished livestock for our rodeo from 1944 to 1960 when he died suddenly at a rodeo in Vancouver, WA. Harley and his stock helped St. Paul get established during those growing-up years. He was inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City in 1998. Ray Manegre (Board/Committeeman) , St. Paul, OR (deceased) One of the eight original founders of the St. Paul Rodeo. He served on the Board of Directors from 1936 until 1959 and as Rodeo President for seventeen of those years. Ray passed away in 1963 and is remembered as a large man with a big smile who loved a good horse. Each of his daughters served as St. Paul Rodeo queen: Betty in 1942 and Mary Lou in 1947. Larry Mahan, (Rough Stock Rider) Brooks, OR Larry Mahan won his first trophy at the age of eight during the St. Paul Rodeo Parade. Mahan, always a "favorite son" in St. Paul, won only one event during the St. Paul Rodeo for Bareback Riding in 1971. Despite his lack of St. Paul Rodeo trophies, Mahan became the All-Around Champion Cowboy of the World in 1966 through 1970, and 1973. Gene Rambo, (Timed Event Cowboy/Cowgirl) Shandon, CA (deceased) Gene Rambo is most noted for being the five event cowboy who won our first All-Around Cowboy Trophy with three consecutive wins in 1946, 1947, and 1948. His event wins at St. Paul were the Saddle Bronc Riding in 1946, the Bareback Riding and Calf Roping in 1948, and Steer Wrestling in 1949. Mel Lambert (Contract Act/Personnel) , Salem, OR Mel Lambert first appeared at the St. Paul Rodeo in navy uniform in 1943 trick roping in the arena with his son, Jerry. Lambert has since become a nationally recognized rodeo announcer, who served in that capacity at St. Paul Rodeo for 29 years. He was recently named to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colorado. William Smith (Board/Committeeman) , St. Paul, OR William Smith was the principal founder and first president of the St. Paul Rodeo from 1936 to 1938, when his untimely death occurred at the age of 41. Without his leadership, this rodeo might never have been established. His son Bill, and grandson Bill, have followed in his footsteps by participating on the St. Paul Rodeo Board. Anne K. Smith (General Membership) , St. Paul, OR (deceased) Anne Smith, the wife of Rodeo Secretary Carl J. Smith, not only helped with her husbands duties, but served on every rodeo committee for its first 10-12 years often as chairperson. Her major endeavors advertising and publicity, queen and court, and St. Paul Rodeo Parade. |
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Jackie Wright
Western Rodeos, Inc. – Dan & Linda Russell
Gary Simon,
Buddy Schneider
John Weisz
Jim Bothum
Rudy Doucette
Don Kish,
Jim Gooding
Pat Smith
Doug Brown
Jimmie Cooper
Bob Tallman
Steve Coleman
Donna Smith
Clay O'Brien Cooper
Stub Johnson
Judy Ackley
Ted McKillip
Ray Richardson
Bruce Ford
Pat Nogle
Wick Peth
Bill Miller
George Bernards
Walker, Enoch
OLIVER, Dean
GROWNEY, John
FERSCHWEILER, Cy
McKillip, Delores "Dee"
Joe Alexander
Bob Ragsdale
Wilbur Plaugher
John McKillip, Sr
Tony Halter
Harry Tompkins
Harry Charters
Christensen Brothers
Gene Smith
Maureen Coleman
Jim Shoulders
Buddy Groff
Charmayne James
Harley M. Tucker
Ray Manegre
Larry Mahan
Gene Rambo
Mel Lambert
William Smith
Anne K. Smith