Grand Marshal

2009 Grand Marshal - Ernesteen Ferry

ernesteenThis year's Grand Marshal, Ernesteen “Steen” Ferry, was born May 5, 1921 and raised in the small town of Girard, in Kent County, Texas. She is the daughter of Earl and Nora Mayfield who owned the town general store. Steen was the middle child of three siblings.

After the war began Steen’s older sister took a job in Bakersfield, California working as a bank teller. Not long after high school Steen soon followed taking a job working for Lockeed in Bakersfield making bomb release mechanisms for the B-17 bombers during World War II. A mutual friend knew of a nice man that drove up to Woodlake to see his folks often and since Steen and her sister had family in Strathmore they were able to travel with them. That nice man William “Bill” Ferry turned into her loving husband of 62 years.

Bill and Steen were married on August 15, 1945 and in 1947 moved to the Elderwood area of Woodlake not too far from where the Woodlake Lions Rodeo is still held today. Bill was very instrumental in starting the PRCA Rodeo in Woodlake and took an active role every year in putting the rodeo together.

Steen is the proud mother of three beautiful children Joan Molinari, Pam Whiteside and Billy Ferry. Two of which have continued the tradition of Rodeo support year after year. Steen has been blessed with six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Steen might not be a name you recognized right away. Her community support along with her life has always been contributed in the behind-the-scenes sort of way. Steen was a very busy mother of three but still found time to be a member of the local garden club. She was the back bone of a striving citrus farmer and community supporter.

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2008 Grand Marshal - Frank Ainley

The voice of the Woodlake Western Week parade took a rest this year. After 15 years as the announcer, Frank Ainley took on yet another role in the community and proudly led the parade as the Woodlake Lions Rodeo Grand Marshal.

“I’ll miss the announcing,” said Frank, “I like to ad lib and have a lot of fun with the crowd.”

In addition to his sense of humor, Frank is also known for his commitment to the community, his family, his students, his family’s cattle ranch and football. He has received many awards and accolades from local organizations–such as Tulare County Cattleman of the Year, Woodlake Man of the Year and Decade, Teacher of the Year and COS Hall of Fame.

“I just loved teaching and coaching,” said Frank, “You just find out what makes them tick as quickly as possible. You find what they do well, no matter how small and that’s what you go after.”

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2007 Grand Marshal - José Perez

joe-perezGrand Marshal of this year’s Woodlake Lions Rodeo is a familiar face, Woodlake Fire Chief, José Perez, a.k.a., “Chief.” As a member of the Woodlake Lions Club for more than a quarter century, (still young at heart), José has served in all offices – president, vice president, etc. When we say all offices we mean all, he has even covered the title as cook and dish washer. One of José’s favorite pastime is cooking, if he’s not working you can usually find him at home barbecuing with his family.

Our Grand Marshal and wife Charlotte have been married for 47 years and are proud parents and grandparents. The two met in Woodlake in the early 60s and have had wonderful memories ever since. José enjoys spending time at home using his carpentry and welding skills working on projects or, “making as much noise as possible,” says his wife Charlotte.

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2006 Grand Marshal - Audie Ray

audieThis year’s Grand Marshal, Audie Ray, was born in the County of Okmulgee in Oklahoma on December 12, 1938. His family moved to California in 1946. Finally settled in Woodlake, he attended Woodlake schools, graduating from Woodlake Union High School in 1957. He went on to College of Sequoias, majoring in Law Enforcement. He also attended classes at Fresno State.

Audie helped David Boas with the minnow farm and after school while in high school he worked for Bill Ferry, Sr. Audie always says, “If not for Bill, I probably would not have gone to college.”

He also worked for a cement contractor in Tulare during summers. While attending COS, he worked part-time at night for the Tulare County Probation department at the Youth Center.

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2005 Grand Marshal - Hubert Wolfe

By Miles Shuper, Valley Voice

hubeWhen he rides in this year’s Woodlake Lions Club Rodeo Parade as the grand marshal, Hubert Wolfe actually will have already ridden off into the sunset.

But Hube, as he is known to everyone, and his wife,Pat, leave impressive resumes as they settle into a new home in Lompoc close to their daughter and her family.

Hube is being honored not only for his many years as an active and valuable member of the Woodlake Lions Club, since moving to Woodlake 24 years ago, but for various contributions to the community.

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