ProRodeo Sports News - October 30, 2020

Bros.’ Wilfred in Monroe, Wash.

Lillard’s involvement with the Shasta County Sheriff ’s Posse and Asphalt Cowboys led to his first announcing gigs, and he continued announcing the Redding Rodeo for 38 years. He announced local and professional rodeos for the next 55 years across the Pacific Northwest. In 1974, Ron returned to his native Siskiyou County to become the CEO of the Siskiyou Golden Fair, a position he held for 26 years. He was highly involved in the Western Fairs Association and served as board president and was inducted into their WFAHall of Fame in 1999. Lillard was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Charlie and Jesse, and his granddaughter, Rachel Hanna. Lillard is survived by his wife, Robin Adrian; their granddaughters Kaylie, Bryanna and Elyssa Beeson; his daughter Kerri (Jeff ) Franklin; grandsons Alex and Aidan; his daughter Sherri (Greg) Hanna; granddaughters Darby Hanna and Lacy (Justin) Rhodes; and their children Raylan and Rachel. Those wishing to donate in Lillard’s memory are encouraged to consider Scott Valley Scholarships Rachel Hanna Memorial Scholarship P.O. Box 352, Etna, Calif., 96027; or to Madrone Hospice 255 Collier Circle, Yreka, Calif., 96097. Harold Gene Frizzell, a PRCA Gold Card member, passed away July 22 at the age of 82. Frizzell was born in Sandborn, Iowa; later moving to South Dakota and eventually HAROLD GENE FRIZZELL his involvement with the movie industry. He and his son, Jeff, worked as wranglers and stuntmen inWesterns filmed in Arizona. Frizzell worked nearly 15 years on the White Stallion Ranch as a head wrangler; later running his real estate business during the 1980s and ’90s. He was known for his dedication to his work and the rope horses he and his son competed on. Frizzell played a vital role in the rodeo careers of his family, with his son and granddaughter McKenzie competing on one of the last horses he bought, when the colt was 3. Frizzell is survived by his son, Jeff Frizzell; granddaughters Caitlin Reynolds and McKenzie Frizzell; and great-grandchildren Owen and Stormi Reynolds. Frizzell Arizona. Frizzell competed in tie- down roping, team roping and steer wrestling. Frizzell was known for his real estate business and

PASSAGES

In 1970, Markholt also won rodeos in Spokane, Wash., La Grange, Calif., Sonora, Calif., Guerneville, Calif., Blackfoot, Idaho, Salem, Ore., Tremonton, Utah, and Cottage Grove, Ore. Markholt also competed in steer wrestling in ProRodeo. Markholt was born in Seattle, Feb. 15, 1939, and joined the PRCA in 1962 and competed for more than 20 years primarily in the Northwest andWest Coast. Markholt started riding bulls at 15 and rode until retiring at 41. Markholt worked as a cowboy on ranches in Northern California and worked the labor list at many rodeos for entry money. When he was 21, he began working for Christensen Bros. By 22, he became stock boss and foreman due to his hard work ethic. He worked for CBs steadily for the first eight years, then on and off for 10 years. His last great honor of his rodeo career was being inducted into the Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame on Oct. 24, 2020. Markholt is survived by his three daughters Lee Ann, Anna and Amy; nephews Bob, Joe, Lee, Al and John; niece, Anneke; grandnieces Amanda and Uriah; grandnephew, Dustin; grandsons King and Vincenzo; granddaughter, Arianna; great-grandson, Christian; and extended family members. A large celebration of life will be held next year when family, rodeo family and friends can safely come together. The family asks donations in Markholt’s name be made to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. Fond memories can be shared via email annamarkholt@gmail.com or https://www. facebook.com/anna.markholt.

FRANK BEARD

Longtime stock contractor, competitor and Gold Card member, Frank Beard passed away Oct. 19. He was 92. Raised in Toppenish, Wash., Beard loved horses. He attended Toppenish schools where he

was a gifted athlete and skilled boxer. Beard’s first job was breaking horses for

world champion saddle bronc rider Lee Caldwell, who encouraged Beard’s desire to be a rodeo competitor. Beard

Beard competed in the Pacific Northwest as an all-around cowboy in saddle bronc riding, bareback riding and tie-down roping. His greatest success was as a saddle bronc rider, winning several rodeos. To augment his rodeo winnings, Beard worked for stock contractor Johnny Van Belle. When Van Belle’s rodeo-queen daughter, Charlot, returned home on semester break, the youngsters were smitten. After a whirlwind romance, they married on Sept. 3, 1947. With a growing family, Beard cut back on rodeo competition, becoming a top-notch pickup man. He continued to trade and train horses and was a highly skilled farrier. In the 1970s, Beard founded Beard Rodeos, earning a reputation for good stock. Beard Rodeos joined the PRCA in 1987, providing stock at Northwest rodeos including Ellensburg, Wash., Pendleton, Ore., Lewiston, Idaho, Sisters, Ore., and Hermiston, Ore. Beard owned bucking horses and bulls that won many go-rounds at the NFR. His wife, Charlot, preceded him in death on Aug. 17. Beard is survived by sons Casey (Anne), Tim (Val) and Pat (Stephanie); and daughter, Shannon (Don) Stewart; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Beard requested that contributions be made to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund.

RONALD GENE LILLARD

PRCA NOTES Ronald Gene Lillard, a longtime announcer for the Redding (Calif.) Rodeo and a PRCA Gold Card member, passed away Sept. 12 from complications of Alzheimer’s, a disease he valiantly battled for more than a decade. Lillard was

born in Medford, Ore., on March 6, 1936, to Charles and Mary (Gomes) Lillard. Lillard grew up in Fort Jones, Calif., and moved

LEE MARKHOLT Lee Markholt, who qualified for the 1970 National Finals Rodeo in bull riding, passed away Oct. 3. He was 81. Markholt

Lillard

to Redding to attend Shasta College. In 1954, he started announcing sporting events for the Shasta College Knights. Following graduation, he got a job as a disc jockey at KSDA during the birth of rock and roll. Lillard moved on to television as a sportscaster for KVIP-TV in Redding and later became production manager and account executive as the station transitioned to KRCR-TV.

finished third in the 1970 world

Markholt

standings and was seventh in the average. That year he had an 83-point ride on Christensen

ProRodeo Sports News 10/30/2020

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