Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 6, 2008)
Page 16 - Special Edition • Morrow County Fair and Rodeo • Heppner Gazette-Times, Wednesday, August 6, 2008 Morrow County Fair and Rodeo Grand Marshal, Joe Yocom is a familiar face Joe Yocom This year’s Morrow Coun ty Fair and Rodeo Grand Mar shal, Joe Yocom, is a familiar face around Eastern Oregon, With Sugar and Spice, his two powerful Belgians, pulling his wagon, Joe has hauled court royalty, Umatilla Indian Reser vation elders, city politicians, grand m arshals and many other personalities, as part of special events all over Eastern Oregon. Joe moved to M orrow County in 1939, where he was raised for a short time by his grandparents. He later moved back to Sherman County and was raised on a cattle ranch. He graduated from Wasco High School. After graduation he continued his education at Oregon Technical Institute in Klamath Falls. While there, he met Hilda Stanley. “She was my best friend,” Joe remem bers. In February o f 1953 Joe was drafted into the army. He married Hilda in November of that same year. Joe was a para trooper in the 82nd Airborne, based in North Carolina. After his discharge from the military, he returned to Eastern Oregon where he and Hilda raised four children. Debbie, Millie, Jack and Marie were all active in Wranglers, 4-H and high school and college rodeo. They even did their paper routes on horseback. All four still reside in Eastern Oregon. Joe and Hilda both worked very hard for their family. They accom plished, and experi enced, many wonderful things over the years. Joe worked for Morrow County Grain Grow ers for 33 years before retiring in 1998. Jo e’s involvement with the Morrow County Fair and Rodeo began around 1960. He enjoyed participating in cow riding, pony express races, re lay races, wild horse races and chariot races. “My son Jack has my fancy buckle, but I still wear the one I won for cow rid ing in 1970,” Joe grinned. As time went on, Joe went from competing to volunteering. He served three terms (nine years) on the rodeo board. He took part in everything from grounds keeping to being race director and chairman. He was also on the fair board for three years and had a part in install- (_> X in T_ < <N § 5 Q c n > z 3 O CM o r-- > co 2 5 C/5 X o cm m oo r«* < w S 5 LU O < UJ o LU a < r- O ) CL o i n tr < * O O nc O LU hi rr a 5 Q- o Only a greenhorn would underestimate the importance of good breeding. It affects the ride. The spirit. The determination to go the distance. John Deere’s bloodline is second to none. That’s why jobs like hauling hay, tending pastures and fixing fences seem like second nature. No wonder you wouldn’t trust your land to anything else. Just don’t be surprised if those horses smile a little every time you pass Your Land is Your World. co r» CM ing the new pipeline and in the development of the Wilkinson Arena. Joe feels that the rodeo is vital to our community and is an excellent attraction. “I take my hat off to the fair and rodeo boards,” Joe commented. Joe loves pushing the limits and can’t say “no” to anyone or anything. In 1993, Jerry Schubert (wagon master), asked Joe to participate in the 1,000 mile sesquicentennial wagon train, which began in Wyoming and ended in Or egon. Joe, his children and his friends refurbished an 1864 John Deere wagon. Sugar and Spice made the trip with him. Joe is proud of these accom plishments and enjoyed the “Welcome Home” signs greet ing him in Cecil. Joe, Sugar and Spice have traveled more than 7,000 miles together. Time has taken its toll on Joe - he lost Hilda in 1992 - but, with the love and sup port of family and friends, he continued to do the things he loves. You can still see him every year at events such as the “Festival o f Lights” in Hermiston. He is involved in the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon wagon train, which is celebrating its 27th anniversary this year. He is on the wagon train committee and has been wagon master eight times. He also participates in the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon festivities ev ery year. Joe met Dwyla Reynolds about seven years ago and was hooked on her after their first wagon ride together. “The har ness broke off the horses and the wagon jackknifed. I told her to jump for it! That didn’t bother her much, so I knew I liked this gal!” remembered Joe. Joe can’t imagine a better place than Morrow County to live and be a part of. He and Dwyla raise paint horses here. He delights in his nine grandchildren and his new great-grandchild. Sugar and Spice are still a familiar fixture in the pasture. Joe is proud to have been selected to be Mor row County Fair and Rodeo’s Grand Marshal for 2008.
