Grand Marshal

2010 Grand Marshal - Paul Gomez

Born in Exeter on July 6^th, 1944, but raised in Woodlake, the small town feeling is something that has always meant a lot to Paul Gomez. Born to Pete Sr. and Angie Gomez, he was raised with two brothers to be a man of Honor and Respect. Hard work, education and family loyalty were just some of the traits instilled in him as a young man growing up in a town that to this day he would continue to call his home.

At a young age, Paul started working with his father as a migrant worker. His first job was helping to transport manure around the valley. By the age of twelve, he was in the driver’s seat traveling to pick fruit in different areas of the west coast. This hard work continued throughout his high school years where at sixteen he graduated from Woodlake Union High School in 1962. After high school he began working at Bill Ferry’s Ranch. Once again behind the wheel of a truck he transported oranges to nearby packing houses. So in his first 20 years he was no stranger to hard labor.

2009 Grand Marshal - Ernesteen Ferry

This 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.

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.”

2007 Grand Marshal - José Perez

joe-perez Grand 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.

2006 Grand Marshal - Audie Ray

audie This 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.