Page 22 - Special Edition • Morrow County Fair and Rodeo • Heppner Gazette-Times, Wednesday, July 29, 2009
John Ledbetter - 2009 Morrow County Fair and Rodeo Grand Marshal
If you have ever brought a horse trailer or camper to park at the Morrow County Fair and Rodeo grounds during fair and rodeo week, it is pos
sible that this year’s grand marshal, John Ledbetter, parked your rig for you. ““Cowboys can rope and ride,
but they can’t park,” laughed John.
Bom in Heppner, John lived all over Morrow County during his youth. He lived west of lone for
seven-eight years, starting first grade in lone. He then moved to Boardman for two years before moving
back to lone for five more years. He later moved to Lexington for 1 Vi years before moving to Blackhorse
Canyon in 1940, during which time he attended Heppner School.
John joined the Navy in 1944 and served for two years in Alaska. After his return, he worked on
a road crew for a year. He then farmed for two years with his father on the Duvall Ranch on Blackhorse
Canyon.
He married Lorene Van Winkle in 1948 and moved to Lexington to farm with his father-in-law for
13 years. John and Lorene later divorced.
In 1964 he moved back to the Duvall Ranch. In 1973 he began leasing the ranch from the Duvall
family, before purchasing the ranch in 1977. It was on this ranch that he taught his grandsons to drive a
truck and combine the farm.
He married Irene “Rene” Toll in 1976 and, although the couple has moved to Heppner, still own
the ranch and are leasing it out. “I was bom in Heppner and came back to Heppner,” said John. The couple
has been living in Heppner for the last 20 years. John is currently recovering from cancer. “I didn’t lose
my hair,” grinned John.
John has one daughter and granddaughter in Texas, one daughter in Portland, two grandsons and a
great-grandson in Vancouver, WA, a stepdaughter in Pendleton, a stepdaughter in Idaho, and one stepson
in Princville. He also has a daughter who died in 2000.
In the past, John has helped park the trailers and trucks for cowboys participating in the rodeo. He did get into a little trouble one year when there
was not enough parking and he parked some campers and trailers in the school yard. “I got in trouble for that one,” laughed John. “The school didn’t
like the manure in the yard." He has also loaned his tractor to be used for care of the grounds and has put out watering troughs for the horses.
At one time, John had a red horse named Troy, who was later renamed. “The kids called him Ketchup because he never would catch up,” said
John. He loaned Ketchup
to fair and rodeo princesses
who didn’t have a horse to
ride. “He pranced for three
years in parades with the
girls,” said John. Ketchup
VIP tickets are $12 per day
also rode in the Rose Fes
tival in Portland with one
in advance and $15 at the
of the princesses.
gate. A box for all three
John hasn’t been
performances is $360.
able to attend the fair and
rodeo for the last few years
To purchase advance tickets
because
of his health. He
call Camille Peck at
hasn't been on a horse
M u tton B u stin w ill L>egin a t 6 :3 0 p.m.
989-8351
since Ketchup died about
10 years ago and, but says
he just might get back on
one for the parade.
Ihis year we're beatin' the heat and moving the Oregon Trail Pro Rodeo to night!
f riday A ugust 7 tn
S atu rd ay A u g u st o tli
Starting at 7 p.m.
Joe Shinkle and his band, 99 West, will be performing on
Saturday night following the rodeo at the beer garden
Slack will begin at 7 p.m on Thursclay night
Morrow County Rodeo Sunday, August 9th @ 1:00pm
Fair volunteers
needed
The fair always needs
volunteers to help the superinten
dent’s in each department. If you
would like to volunteer your time
you can call the superintendent
or contact the Fair O ffice for
information.