First and foremost, Debbie and I are honored to serve as this year’s Grand Marshals for the Southeast Weld County Fair. We are grateful for the time we spent in Weld County and for the lifelong friends we have made there.
I grew up in western Iowa, in a farming community, not unlike Keenesburg. After high school I was to report to the draft office, as the Vietnam War was still going on. I decided to enlist in the Army, but due to an eye injury as a boy, I was classified as 4F. I was able to obtain funds to go to a community college for accounting. After graduation, I landed a job in Omaha as a bookkeeper. In December, I came to visit my sister in Colorado; and the ice and snow melted right off my car. Immediately, I went back to Omaha, quit my job and moved here.
My sister was a hair stylist in the Evergreen area. On a visit to the salon, I met her coworker, Debbie. We have now been married for 43+ years and Debbie is still trimming my hair. Debbie is a Colorado native and pursued her career in Cosmetology while still in high school. She purchased a salon in Evergreen when she was 20 and worked there for many years.
We spent 20 years in Keenesburg, raised our 2 sons, Keith and Kenny, managed a registered cow/calf operation, farmed hay crops, as well as being active with the SEWCF Board. I was a 4-H leader for Hoof and Horn 4-H Club and coached baseball and football. I was treasurer for the SEWCF for many years. Some of our greatest memories were made in this wonderful community. One of the best memories is when we moved buildings down the streets with skid steers and loaders from the old fairgrounds to the new SEWCF location.
Once again, thank you for this special honor and we will see you at the BBQ!
