Evan Pope
Evan has deep roots in the Cokeville Rodeo. In 1950 Evan was 10 years old and he got to help build the fence around the Cokeville arena. At that time and for the 45 years to follow the arena ran from north to south. Still on the same property as it is now. At that time the railroad stockyard bordered the property. There were many local ranchers who took turns donating stock for the rodeo and beef for the dinner. Friends from the valley got together to celebrate their rich pioneer heritage.
Throughout the years there have been some changes and some variables that haven’t changed much. The Pioneer Day Celebration has always been celebrated on a hot dry day in July around the 24th with a parade, dinner, baseball or other games, a rodeo and a dance. No matter where you worked or how you made your living you usually took the day off to celebrate with friends.
Evan has had the privilege of driving a horse drawn carriage in the 24th parade for many decades. He recalled having the honor of having at least 40 Grand Marshals ride with him, with several of them being general authorities.
When it came rodeo time there was not much water, it was hard to see through the dust, and the mosquitoes would come out for new blood. Evan was a hand with a rope, and made roping a pig on the loose look easy. He liked to bring the biggest healthiest beef calves he could gather off the range in for the calf roping. He knew he may not be running on finesse but he could rope them quickly and man handle them with strength and determination. He said when he was in his prime a 20 second calf run was a pretty dang good run. He remembered a few years when his dad was over the rodeo and they would give prizes and not money. He remembers winning spurs and ropes, things that all cowboys need.
Evan carried the flag for many years before the Cokeville Stock & Saddle Company was established. His most memorable time was when the National Anthem had just gotten over and he touched his horse to circle out of the arena. His horse leaped into the air and landed in full stride. He knew his horse was feeling all the excitement and was celebrating too!
He was a pickup man for several years with Sim Weston by his side. They worked well together even when the bucking horses would go to the corner they could get cowboys off safely. Yes the arena, at that time, had corners like a rectangle.
Some may say he was always up for an adventure, Evan really enjoyed taking part in the wild cow milking. Maybe it was because most of the time he had one of his sons as his teammate. He always had a lot of trust in his boys and a proud cheerleader of his girls.
The day wasn’t complete if he didn’t get to take his beautiful sweetheart DottyJo, out for a night of dancing. They loved to dance, they love this community, and they love to celebrate this incredible tradition with their friends and family.
He donated his time, his stock, and his talents to help shape the Cokeville Rodeo to be what it is today. He tells of so many others who helped and did their part to make the Cokeville Rodeo exactly what “We Remember” it to be. As a kid growing up in Cokeville, the 24th was the best day of the year, even better than Christmas.
We Remember and want you to also.
*Story contributed by Jody Keetch, Evan’s daughter
I don’t think there is much more that we can add about Evan. Jody covered his contributions so beautifully. What a great Cokeville Rodeo Honoree we have in Evan Pope and his decades of service to the entirety of the Cokeville Pioneer Day Celebration! A Cokeville parade isn’t complete without Evan leading out, ushering the Grand Marshal.
So many of us have Evan imprinted in our memories of the 24th weekend. We Remember. We have not forgotten.
Thank you Evan, for your nearly 70 years of service.
