Posted on March 31, 2011 at 2:09 PM by Global Reach
Dave began his service and contributions to 4-H as a teenager. He was a member of the Co-Linx Boys 4-H Club of Lincoln and Morton Townships in Page County from 1934-1939. During his membership he served as president and vice president of the club. He raised baby beef which he exhibited at the Iowa State Fair and attended livestock shows in the St. Joe and Kansas City area.
As an adult in the 1960s, when he had three sons of his own participating in 4-H, he served as a leader for West Township’s Walnut Creek Cyclones Club. Later, he supported his sons during their membership in the Grant Spitfires. Dave also served as the West Township representative on the Montgomery County Extension Council, eventually as its chairman.
He joined the Montgomery County Fair Board in 1963 and served three years as president from 1971-1973. In 1970, he received the 4-H Award of the Gold Clover in recognition of 10 years of leadership.
During his almost 40 years of service on the Montgomery County Fair Board, he was part of the forward-thinking leadership that acquired land and buildings within the city of Red Oak to expand the annual 4-H livestock show to a county fair. This growth helped to showcase agriculture and the talent of the young people of Montgomery County. The county fair became a venue everyone could enjoy, rural and city alike. Along with fellow board member, Dwaine Long, Dave started the annual tradition of a demolition derby which continues to be the most popular event at the county fair. Dave was inducted into the Montgomery Country Fair Hall of Fame in 1990.
Dave’s passion in life was agriculture and through 4-H he was able to share this passion with young farmers across the county. At the time of his death in 2004, many farmers shared stories about the impact that Dave had on their lives, he was a role model to many.
Although Phyllis did not serve in formal leadership capacities with any 4-H programs, she supported her husband and family in their involvement and participation. Phyllis shared her skills in cooking, baking, sewing, and needlework with her daughters during their years as 4-H members in West Township’s West Whirlwinds Club. And she was always in the stands encouraging her boys as they showed their livestock at the annual county fair. She was extremely proud of her children and their achievements.
During Dave’s tenure as the Montgomery County Fair Board President, Phyllis served alongside him and supported him in the activities that took place during the fair, she especially enjoyed helping with the annual demolition derby.
After the children were grown, Phyllis enjoyed the many programs and activities the county fair had to offer. Attending the women’s programs, viewing the girl’s 4-H exhibits and watching the livestock shows were her favorites. For many years, Phyllis accompanied Dave to the annual Association of Iowa Fairs Convention held in Des Moines
Upon their deaths in 2004, memorials were contributed to the Montgomery County Fair to improve the facilities so that future generations can continue to enjoy the fair as much as they did.
Categories: 2005, Montgomery