|
|
|
| Jerry Eugene
Nolte - A lifetime of rodeo, a lifetime of
friendship.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerry
Eugene Nolte
August
26, 1939 - September 2, 2004 |
| Jerry
was born in Fall City, NE on August
26, 1939. His parents were
Chester and Doris Nolte. Jerry
graduated from Falls City High
School in 1956. After graduation he
attended a technical school.
In 1963 he was drafted in the
Army. He worked for OPPD at
Humboldt, Syracuse & Tecumseh,
Nebraska, retiring May 1st,
2004. Jerry lived in Tecumseh,
Nebraska for the last 30
years. Jerry was married in
1960 to Vicky Moore. and they
were later divorced. Jerry
would marry twice more. First
to Eveln Spica and then to Candi
Demien. Both marriages ended
in divorce. Jerry was the
proud father of three
children. Two sons, Mithcell
Nolte of Hiwatha, Kansas and Chance
E. Nolte, Dayton, Iowa and one
daughter, Gina K. Nolte, Valencia,
California. |
|
|
A
Lifetime of Achievement
What
made Jerry special was his love for the sport of rodeo and his dedication to
youth rodeo and all the young cowboys and
cowgirls lives he has touched. On
December 31, 2002 White Buffalo
Productions owned by Todd Crase, one of
those young cowboys, presented Jerry with
a Lifetime Achievement Award. Along
with a Frontier Trophy Buckle Jerry
was presented with a collage including
pictures of Jerry, quotes from a note
Jerry had sent to Todd answering his
request for more information on his rodeo
career and pictures Todd had saved
of himself as a young man showing Jerry as
the. judge. Todd grew up with a
friend in the arena who not only judged
him but shared his insight into how to
become a better rider. Todd did
become a better cowboy as did hundreds of
other young cowboys and cowgirls. As
an adult Todd started White Buffalo
Productions and often turned to his
lifelong friend to not only judge his
events but to again be a mentor to him in
his rodeo business. Jerry continued
to judge for Todd and many of the other
producers in the Midwest and to be a great
supporter of the Rodeo Attitude Program
until his health would no longer allow him
to. He will be greatly missed, but
he leaves behind a legacy of a man who
treated everyone fairly in the arena and
in life.
|
|
| Jerry's
Rodeo Career in his own words written
December 2002:
"1960 First Rodeo Association I joined was the United Rodeo Association. Rode Bulls, tried Bareback horse, but that wasn't for
me.1963 was drafted into the Army, stationed in Hawaii for most of 2 years. I was on the Hawaii Rodeo Cowboys Association for 1 1/2 years, 1965 Saddle Bronc Champion & 3rd in
Bulls. Joined the United Rodeo Association again in 1966, rode a few Bronc and Bulls. Then started
judging. In 1971 started Judging at the National Little Britches Rodeos. On the Board of Directors for 15 years, Finals Chairman for 9 years; and one of the Judges for 21 years.
Judged N.L.B.R.A. Finals in North Platte, Nebraska, Huron, South Dakota, Delta & Colorado Springs,
Colorado. I've Judged Rodeos for United Rodeo Association, Hawaii Rodeo Cowboy's Association, National Little Britches Rodeo Association, Old Timers Rodeo Association, National College Rodeo Association, Nebraska High School Rodeo Association, and Kansas High School Rodeo Association. Have Judged Rodeo and Bull Ridings in 7 different
states. Have been a N.F.P.B. & BOA. Judge for 3 years.
Thanks to the people like White Buffalo, Shad Smith and the Bull Riders I hope to do this for another year or two. This is the thing that keeps me
going. When Bull Riding is over I like to hunt & fish, and cook for the tribe.
Jerry
Nolte" |
|
|
Just
one of thousands of pictures of Jerry
judging youth rodeo.
(Rider
is Todd Crase.) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Jerry
judging a then 13-year old Todd on his
first saddle bronc horse |
Jerry
judging Todd at the 1977 National Little
Britches Finals. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
