558 N. Main St., Prineville, OR 97754 | (541) 447-6205
2013 Crooked River Roundup Grand Marshal Jerry Brummer
When Jerry Brummer was given the news that he was selected to be the 2013 Crooked River Roundup Grand Marshal, it caught him by surprise.
“Dean Noyes (Roundup Board president) called me about 9:30 one evening and said, ‘Congratulations,’” he recalls with a chuckle. “I was already in bed and I said, ‘Congratulations on what, and who the heck is this?’”
The 64-year-old Brummer never dreamed he would ever one day be selected for the honor.
“I guess it’s one of those things you never think about,” he mused.
Nevertheless, he was thrilled that they selected him.
“In my mind, the past grand marshals — it’s really an elite group of people in our community.”
Each year, the Roundup Board chooses a grand marshal who has a history of contributing to the lifestyle that the Crooked River Roundup represents, Noyes said. As far as he is concerned, Brummer was the perfect fit.
A fifth generation Crook County resident, Brummer has deep roots in the community and its country heritage. He comes from a long lineage of farming and ranching, dating back to his paternal great-great-grandfather, Hiram Smead, who first set foot on the hills above Post as he came through the area as a member of the Lost Meek Wagon Train of 1845.
Brummer spent his childhood years working on the family ranch, situated near some of those same hills.
“I have a great desire to continue that heritage and make sure that the values and honesty and everything that goes with that — that we maintain that,” he said.
Other members of Brummer’s family played a role in building some of the landmark structures that adorn the downtown corridor of Prineville. His paternal great-grandfather, Henry Brummer, was a stonemason on both the Crook County Courthouse and the Bowman Museum building, just two blocks to the west.
“I feel a sincere sense of pride every time I drive by those two buildings or step within their walls,” he said.
Brummer spent his earlier adult life working in the local timber industry. He worked for Pine Products for 23 years, and stepped away only after the mill shut down in 1992. He then took a job with the City of Prineville in their public works department.
“I was there 20 years,” Brummer said, “working my way up from the bottom to become superintendent of that department.”
After concluding that phase of his career last year, Brummer made a long overdue return to his roots.
“When I retired, one of the things I wanted to do was a little buckaroo-ing again — help brand calves and move cattle,” he said. “That is something that I have always missed and wanted to get back to.”
Since October 2012, he has pitched in on the Breese ranch, working with the cattle, just like he did during his early days on the ranch.
“It is the type of retirement that suits me just fine,” he said.
Meanwhile, Brummer has stayed heavily involved in his home community. He has served on the Crook County Historical Society Board for the past 15 years and on the Crook County Pioneer Queen selection committee for 22 years.
As the Roundup approaches, life has gotten even busier for Brummer. He has already visited rodeos in Spray and Sisters and will soon participate in a full slate of Crooked River Roundup events, including a cattle drive, three days of rodeo, and a parade.
“It’s just going to be a really busy two or three weeks with the rodeo and Pari-Mutuel (horse) racing,” he said.
Not that he minds the packed schedule. As far as Brummer is concerned, it’s all part of the deal, and he looks forward to participating in all of it — especially as the Grand Marshal.
“I can’t think of any other honor you can get that would be greater in the community.”
