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Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center choose new Hall of Fame inductees.

August 16, 2016

3 Min Read

The picture of the cowboy, the broad shoulders on which the founding of the American West rested, is a vision of strength and a powerful heritage. The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center is honoring folks who personify that strength with the latest class of Cowboy Hall of Fame inductees.

In a release announcing the list, Jeff Bolstad, Helena State Farm agent and MCHF&WHC president, comments: "Our volunteer trustees around Montana vote on nominations that come from the district in which they reside. It gives the local communities a strong voice in who will represent them in the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame exists to honor those who have made an impact in their part of the state." He adds that these honorees represent the state's authentic heritage for future generations.

The organization board of directors have designated 12 trustee districts across the state which up to 20 trustees may be appointed. This year's nomination criteria established by the board for the Class of 2016 allowed election of up to one Living Inductee and two Legacy Inductees for each of the 12 districts. Here's a look at the 2016 class:

District 1 (Daniels, Phillips, Roosevelt, Sheridan, & Valley Counties): Living Award - Edgar Richardson, Scobey. Legacy Award - Fire Bear - William Standing, Oswego and Tande Ranch, Scobey.

District 2 (Dawson, Garfield, McCone, Prairie, Richland, & Wibaux Counties): Living Award - Lawrence C. “Buck” Roberts, Wibaux. Legacy Award - William James “Bill” Brown, Sr., Sand Springs and Paul Kasten, Brockway.

District 3 (Carter, Custer, Fallon, Powder River, Rosebud, & Treasure Counties): Living Award - William Jr. “Chuck” Hubing, Miles City. Legacy Award - Gary Grant Gatlin, Broadus and Johnny Morris, Broadus.

District 4 (Blaine, Chouteau, Hill, & Liberty Counties): Living Award - Aaron “Duke” Pursley, Big Sandy. Legacy Award - Gordon Charles “Buck” Boyce, Havre.

District 5 (Cascade, Glacier, Pondera, Teton, & Toole Counties): Living Award - Donald Patrick Hogan, Great Falls. Legacy Award - Hattie Maria (Webb) Dear, Cascade and Jules Klint “Duke” Gustafson, Great Falls.

District 6 (Fergus, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, Musselshell, Petroleum, & Wheatland Counties): Living Award - Clinton H. “Clint” & Sharon E. (Henderson) Martin, Lewistown. Legacy Award - George R. “Sonny” Smith, Grass Range and William “Bill” Skelton, Stanford.

District 7 (Big Horn, Carbon, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, & Yellowstone Counties): Living Award - Henry & Lorraine Valgamore, Big Timber. Legacy Award - Ella Maude (Daylong) Huntington, Billings and High Bird - Dr. Joseph “Joe” Medicine Crow, Crow Agency.

District 8 (Broadwater, Jefferson, & Lewis and Clark Counties): Living Award - Jack Leroy “Doc” Rea, Helena. Legacy Award - Frank James “Gary” Cooper, Helena and Robert F. “Bob” Morgan, Helena.

District 9 (Gallatin, Meagher, & Park Counties): Living Award - James Earl “Jimmy” Sarrazin, Wilsall. Legacy Award - Gerard “Bud” Story Burkhart, Bozeman and “Indian Jack” Hart, Livingston.

District 10 (Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, & Sanders Counties): Legacy Award - Lester P. “Les” Baldwin, Polson and The Park Saddle Horse Company, Glacier National Park.

District 11 (Mineral, Missoula, & Ravalli Counties): Living Award - Arnold D. “Smoke” Elser, Missoula. Legacy Award - Charles James “Charlie” Yerian, Corvallis and Elton Vanleir Brechbill, Stevensville.

District 12 (Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, Silver Bow, Granite, Madison, & Powell Counties): Living Award - Paul Irving Greany, Drummond. Legacy Award - Donald Philip “Don” Harrington, Dillon and Samuel Russel “Sam” McDowell, Wisdom.

The organization has honored inductees since 2008, you can check out a complete list by visiting montanacowboyfame.org.

Source: Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center

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