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Roy Rogers Festival Forum |
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2010 Roy Rogers Festival
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Roy Rogers Dale Evans Museum Closes |
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Roy Rogers Festival Memorials
In Loving Memory | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Roy Rogers
1911 - 1998 Roy Rogers died at his home in Apple Valley, California, July 6, 1998.
Born Leonard Franklin Slye on November 5, 1911, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Roy's enormous popularity transcended all forms of entertainment, from live performances to movies, records, radio, and television. What was most important to Roy, "My God, My Family and my Country". Roy is truly an American legend and was one of the best known and most beloved persons in the rich heritage of Western entertainment and culture. He is buried along side his "Queen of the West" at Sunset Memorial Park, Apple Valley, CA. For a complete biography for Roy, please go to | 
Cowboy's Prayer I fail to do a lot of things I ought to do, But Lord when trails are steep and pass is high, Help me ride it straight the whole way through, And in the falling dusk I get the final call - I do not care how many flowers they send - Above all else the happiest trail will be for you to say to me, "Lets Ride My Friend". Amen   | 
Dale Evans Rogers
1912 - 2001 Dale Evans Rogers died at her home in Apple Valley, California, February 7, 2001.
Born Francis Octavia Smith on October 31, 1912, in Uvalde, Texas. Dale was truly one-half of an American Legend Duo and was one of the best known and most beloved persons in Christian ministry and the rich heritage of Western entertainment and culture. She is buried along side her "King of the Cowboys", Roy Rogers at Sunset Memorial Park, Apple Valley, CA. For a complete biography for Dale, please go to
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Michael Bright
1951 - 2003 He was a graduate of Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, TN, and an ordained minister. He also did graduate work at Lincoln (IL) Christian Seminary and at Sangamon State University in Springfield, IL. From 1973 to 1980 he served as youth minister with the West Side Christian Church in Springfield, IL, followed by a youth ministry with Southeast Christian Church in Orlando, FL. Since 1982, he worked for Standard Publishing in Cincinnati, OH, traveling for the company as director of conventions. He was a member of the Miamitown (OH) Church of Christ He was arguably the world’s greatest Roy Rogers fan and a close friend of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. He had an extensive collection of personally presented Roy Rogers memorabilia. In addition to his parents, he is survived by two brothers, Roger of Campbellsville, KY, and Ricky of Elk Horn, KY; and four sisters, Wanda Bramel, Judy Grooms, and Brenda Wise, all of Campbellsville, and Gayle Freeman of Madison Heights, VA. The funeral was February 9, 2003 in Campbellsville with burial at Campbellsville Memorial Gardens. Jim Pierson and George Clark officiated at the service. Mike started attending the Roy Rogers Festival in Portsmouth, about 1986. Mike was a avid poet and penned many poems to honor his friends, Roy and Dale. He would often pen poems during the festivals and then recite them to all of us. He attended each year faithfully until his death. We miss our saddle pal Mike, but he's never forgotten. Each year, as festival time rolls around, Mike joins us once again, in spirit. 
Don Gordley
1928 - 2004 He was born November 19, 1928, in Portsmouth. He was a son of the late Edward L. Gordley and Mable Seely Gordley. He is Retired Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles. Don was a member of Cornerstone Methodist Church and a member of Portsmouth Rotary Club. He also was a member of the United Commercial Travelers and Aurora Masonic Lodge and El Hasa Shrine. He was a Kentucky Colonel. Don was a former Democratic Chairman in Scioto County. He served on the Floodwall Murals committee and the Portsmouth Visitors and Convention Bureau Board. Don Gordley was the former president of the Roy Rogers Festival. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Walter Gordley, whom he married July 20, 1957. Services were held Tuesday, September 28, at 1:pm at the F. C. Daehler Mortuary in Portsmouth, Ohio with the Reverend Clark Hess officiating and his interment in Greenlawn Cemetary. Friends called and showed their respects to Don and his family on Monday, September 28 from 5 - 7pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials could be made to Hospice of Southerm Ohio, 2201 25th St., Portsmouth, OH 45662 or the Cornerstone United Methodist Church. Although Don is not physically present during the Roy Rogers Festival, his spirit lives on and his presence is felt by all who knew him. He so enjoyed workin' with his fellow Roy Rogers committee members in Portsmouth each year, to help jumpstart the preliminaries for the annual festival. Don is sorely missed, but knowing that one day we'll be reunited with him once again, is much comfort.
Charles Gray
1940 - 2005 Charlie worked at a Aluminium Plant for several years and made his home in Florence, AL. Charlie enjoyed the Roy Rogers Festival each year. He, along with his wife Mildred attended the festival for several years. He was an avid fan of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans and was a long time member of the Roy Rogers Riders Club. Charlie housed a large Roy Rogers-Dale Evans memorabilia collection. He started collecting Roy and Dale memorabilia at an early age and continued throughout his adult years, adding to it frequently. Charlie and Mildred were good friends with Sam and Florence Austill, and the four of them traveled to Victorville in California three different times and attended other western festivals throughout the United States. Charlie would often help Sam with his dealer's table set up and sales during the Roy Rogers Festival, along with other western festivals they happen to be attending. All four of them enjoyed many wonderful times and trips together. There are many regulars that attend the Roy Rogers Festival faithfully, who knew and loved Charlie as a dear friend. He is missed each festival, and those who had the pleasure of knowing him through the years, know he's up in Heaven along with his western heroes, "The King of the Cowboys" and "Queen of the West". 
Florence Austill
1938 - 2006 Florence Lee (Pinkston) Austill, 68, of Calhoun Kentucky went to her Heavenly Home on May 6, 2006.
Florence was born on Jan. 19, 1938 in McLean County, (KY) to Woodford and Ora Lee Pinkston. She was preceded in death by her only sister, Ruby Hina, Dec. 21, 2005. Florence was survived by her husband of fourty-nine years, Sam. Her parents, Woodford and Ora Lee Pinkston; her brother Woodford II and his wife Anna; two nieces and one nephew. Florence gradutated from Calhoun High School, (KY) in 1956 and never missed a day of school in twelve years. On Feburary 23, 1957, Florence married Samuel Hoover Austill. Except for a two year tour of duty with the military, Sam and Florence lived in Mclean County, (KY). Florence worked for twenty-one years at the Cigar Factory until it closed. She worked nineteen years at Glenmore Distillery until her retirement. Florence was a huge Roy Rogers and Dale Evans fan. She attended every Roy Rogers Festival in Portsmouth, Ohio and the two Birthday Parties before the Roy Rogers Festival ever started. Florence loved each Festival and cherished the many Friendships she made through the years. Florence traveled three different times to Victorville, CA and to the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum, then located in nearby Apple Valley, CA. Florence enjoyed her Family and her Church Family. She was a novist at collecting glassware, dolls, jewelry, and shopping. Florence's father Woodford passed this life in May 2007, and her mother Ora Lee, on November 13, 2007. Although Florence may be phyically gone from our Roy Rogers Festival each year, she will never be forgotten. Her great spirit lives on in the hearts and lives of those many friends she touched. 
Ray Eldridge
1945 - 2008 Ray and his wife, Marie have worked for many years on the Roy Rogers Festival Committee. Ray was our Roy Rogers Festival Transportation Officier. He picked up the guest stars at the airport, and drove them wherever they needed to go during their stay in Portsmouth. Ray was a humorous fella and all the guest stars and our special guests enjoyed their time with him. Ray also helped set up the dealers’ tables each year, and often worked at the admissions table. He ran errands and did everything he could to help make the festival successful each year. Ray became close personal friends to many festival committee members in the Portsmouth, OH area. He earned the respect of many festival attendees from across the USA and other countries. He contributed so much to our festival each year He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Many of you knew Ray and Marie and you may want to correspond with Marie. You may send mail to her in care of: Roy Rogers Festival P.O. Box 1166 Portsmouth, OH 45662. 
Mildred Gray
1940 - 2009 Mildred Ruth Davis Gray was 69 years and passed away on January 24, 2009 at Keystone Community Center, Lawrencebrug, TN. She was a member of the Shiloh Church of Christ and a retired Seamstress.
Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie. Survived by Son Mike Gray and wife Liz of Wesley Chapel, FL. Daughter Darlene Bradley and husband Barry of Loretto, TN, Grandchildren Kasie and Will Bradley, Corey and Ryan Gray. Mildred, along with her husband Charlie, graced the Roy Rogers Festival for many years. She was extremely talented as a seamstress and crafted many nice items. Some come to mind are ones she created with the Roy Rogers material that was so popular a few years back. Some items went up for sale during the festival and some were donated for the auction that's held the last evening of the Roy Rogers Festival each year. Mildred was a lifetime fan of Roy and Dale's, plus, she was a longtime member of the Roy Rogers Riders Club. She had made her home in Florence, Alabama. Mildred was loved by her Roy Rogers Festival Family very much. Although we miss her and Charlie terribly, Heaven just keeps getting richer with the passing of our dear friends. Rest assured, we shall see them once again, when we enter the "Last Roundup" in Cowboy Heaven. 
Daniel "Danny" Wells
1936 - 2009 Daniel "Danny" Wells 72, of Porsmouth, passed away, Monday, March 16, 2009, at Southern Ohio Medical Center.
He was born in New Boston, OH on August 27, 1936 to the late Ara and Mabel Tharp Wells. Danny was a member of Cedar Street Church of Christ in Christian Union. He retired after thirty years of service as a corrections officer at SOCF and had been a Scioto County Deputy Sheriff. Danny is survived by his wife Wilta Fay Smith Wells, whom he married in Portsmouth, OH in April 26, 1959; his son Daniel "DJ" Wells of Portsmouth; his sister, Bernice Stone of Waverly; special friend, Leslie Deefield; and many nieces and nephews. He enjoyed showing his 1972 Ford Thunderbird at local area car shows and cruise-ins. Memorial services were held Thursday, March 19, 2009, at 12 noon at the Ralph F Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth, with the Reverend Gary Heimbach officiating. The family received friends at the funeral home from 11:00am until the funeral hour. 
Karyn L. Schwantes
1940 - 2010 Dodgeville, WI - Karyn L. Schwantes, age 69, of Dodgeville, passed away on Friday, February 5, 2010 at Meriter Hospital in Madison. She was born on October 4, 1940 to Ed and Arlene (Gehm) Lauersdorf. She graduated from Gillett High School in 1958. She worked for General Telephone Company as an operator in Gillett, Eagle River, Minoqua, Wausau and Dodgeville, where she was Chief Operator. She also worked at the Dodgeville Middle School in the kitchen for many years.
Karyn was one the biggest fans of Roy Rogers, King of the Cowboys. She enjoyed taking trips to Branson and visiting the Roy Rogers Museum. She was a fan of cowboy music and Elvis. In her younger days, Karyn was a fabulous bowler, even being inducted into the Women’s Bowling Hall of Fame. She enjoyed playing Hearts, especially with her son-in-law, Bob. She also enjoyed laughing and giving gag gifts for Christmas. Karyn is survived by her husband, Bert, of Dodgeville; her daughter, Candy (Bob) Anderson, of Boyceville, WI; and her grandpets, Lucy and Josey. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Gary and her twin sister, Karyl. Funeral services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 8, 2010 at the GORGEN-McGINLEY & AYERS FUNERAL HOME in Dodgeville. Rev. Steven Kottke will officiate. Burial will be held in Wanderer’s Rest Cemetery in Gillett, Wisconsin. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until time of services on Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Happy Trails Children’s Foundation, which meant a lot to Karyn. .
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