Denny Jones, Oregon cattle rancher and legislator, is turning 100 and will be honored in the 100th Pendleton Round-up with a ride aboard an historic stagecoach in the opening day parade. He was born on Sept. 21, 1910, the very first day of the first Pendleton Round-up.
He served 13 terms (26 years) as a State Representative from Eastern Oregon. Only one man has served longer in the Oregon Legislature. His accomplished career includes a stint as an internationally competitive jockey, a two-time president of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association and a charter member of the Public Lands Council in 1968.
Denzil Eugene Jones was born on a wheat farm in Ione, Oregon. His dad was a bronco rider and was supposed to be a participant in that inaugural Pendleton Rodeo, but elected to be by his wife’s side for the birth. Denny survived The Great Depression, a broken leg when his horse fell on him and a broken back when he fell off a hay wagon onto a frozen cow pie.
Denny will ride “shotgun” on a 140-year old stagecoach originally from Silver City, Idaho, and in the coach will be Denny’s long-time friend Sharon Livingston, herself a former OCA president; and driver Mike Hanley’s wife Linda Lee, a past president of the Oregon Cattlewomen’s Association. Current OCA president Bill Hoyt of Cottage Grove will be on horseback.
