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Kenneth Marion Field
Aug. 11, 1916 — Oct. 19, 2010
MONTROSE — Kenneth Marion Field entered his life journey in Ouray, Colo., on Aug. 11, 1916. Ken was the second of eight children born to Alve and Ethel Field. He was a fourth-generation Field in the Uncompahgre Valley, his great-grandfather Dexter having moved to the valley in 1879 when the Utes still inhabited the area. Dexter moved to an area east of Montrose near the Coffee Pot Range at the mouth of the Black Canyon. He had created the Coffee Pot brand for his ranch, which remains in the Field family today, and the range eventually would bear its name.
Ken grew up in the Great Depression, his family raising sheep and working for anything and everything they could to survive, as did the majority of rural people of the day. As a young teen, as was the case for his brothers, he would spend 30 days in the mountains herding sheep with no other human contact, with only temporary reprieves for supplies and necessities. If not working for his own family, he was hired to different sheepmen in the area. He spoke of many years “trailing” sheep from Uncompahgre Peak to near Cisco, Utah, returning in the spring via the same route.
During these formidable years living basically an itinerant life, his connection with nature was formalized. Ken’s every day was spent nurturing those in his care, his horse, dog or dogs and the flock. He had a natural eye for each of these species his entire life. He bred the animals he had or had control of to his personal specifications. The first horse he registered in the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) was a mare in the year 1936. He continued to breed and register horses in the AQHA and American Paint Horse Association for the next 70-plus years. His mare line went back to “Red” and “Steel Dust,” to eventually include “Bold Ruler,” “Three Bars” and some of the greatest foundation bloodlines available.
In 1934, he graduated from Montrose High School but wasn’t able to get a diploma as he was with a band of sheep and couldn’t attend the ceremony. By not attending, he never received a diploma. Decades later, after extensive work by his daughter-in-law, Carol Stryker, he was part of the 2003 Montrose High School graduating class, finally receiving his diploma. He said, “Most people don’t take almost 70 years to get out of high school.”
He continued working with the family sheep ranch until, as he put it, in the latter part of 1941 he received a letter that stated “…your friends and neighbors have selected you to serve…”. He entered the Air Force in January 1942, to later be stationed in the European Theatre, reaching the rank of first sergeant at his base in Scotland. There he met Betty Frances Ford, a native Scot, at a dance. At the time, President Roosevelt’s wife, Eleanor, donated wedding dresses to war brides, and Betty was one chosen. Time magazine covered the event, with thousands in attendance. The children especially were taken by Ken; the local paper touted, “Scottish Lass marries American Cowboy,” and they couldn’t get enough of him. How could they? He was a shepherd.
Ken and Betty were married in the summer of 1942 and eventually moved back to the states and had two children, Sandra in 1946, and Jim in 1951. Ken went to work for Pixler Distributing and sold Coors beer for years.
Their marriage ended in an amicable divorce, which led Ken to work for a number of the larger, founding ranches on the Western Slope, including but not limited to the OXO, Redd Ranches and Marie Scott.
In November 1961, Ken married Jocey, nee Stryker, a widow of Bob Stryker. Jocey had three sons, Dee, Dale and Keith, born in 1943, 1945 and 1951, respectively. They worked and ranched together until the summer of 1969, when their son, Stoney, was born. Almost immediately, they moved to Utah to work for Deseret Livestock, with Ken hired as the sheep foreman. This was an immense opportunity, working for one of the largest Western ranches in America. At that time, they owned more than 650,000 acres, were running 15,000-plus cattle, and he would be in charge of 20,000-plus sheep. Being a fluent Spanish speaker, his crew really related to him. His unconditional love and tolerance drew people to him even in his final days.
Within a few years, his techniques of breeding, grazing and tending sheep created an extremely high-quality animal with all of the desirable characteristics. At that time, the quality of wool earned him an exclusive contract to supply Pendleton. Their specifications for their fine clothing set a benchmark, which the sheep under Ken’s care consistently produced for years.
In 1974, he moved on to work for Broadbent Sheep Ranches, another 20,000-plus sheep ranch. Within four years after he left, Deseret Livestock was out of the sheep business.
By 1977, Ken was retirement age, and he, Jocey and Stoney moved to Montrose. They built their current home, and Ken did multiple stints with the BLM and Forest Service, who utilized his knowledge and livestock experience, appointing him a range manager. He also did other work for sheep ranches in the Valley and even passed time driving onion trucks. Jocey and Ken became an integral part of the Black Canyon Racing Association, which brought horse and mule races back to the Montrose County Fairgrounds. At that time, he began his work as an artist, drawing Western, horse-related works. Kenzart was formed, and they sold prints, jackets and cups. Into his 80s, Ken was still spending time horseback and working with all the animals he loved. He was a lifetime member of the Elks (BPOE), with more than 50 years of membership.
He celebrated his 90th birthday in the customary cowboy hat, boots and pressed shirt. There wasn’t a day that he didn’t dress the part. This year would have been the 49th anniversary of his marriage to Jocey.
Ken is survived by his wife, Jocey, and brothers, Dean, Bob and Gerald, as well as sisters Marilyn and Marge. His surviving children include Sandra Field, Jim Field, Dee Stryker, Dale Stryker and Stoney Field. Both parents, brothers Shirley and Dale, as well as son Keith Stryker preceded him in death. He had 10 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren.
Anyone who had the opportunity to have a relationship with Ken will always treasure it. His honest, loving way was impressed on every person he came in contact with. Ken will be truly missed, yet his lessons and love are eternal gifts to us.
Funeral services will be at the Holiday Inn Express conference center at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. The family requests that all gifts and flowers be delivered to the Holiday Inn Express on Townsend Avenue. Thank you in advance for all of your thoughts and prayers.
Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, Colo. 81401; (970) 249-2121.
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