Big, tall and tan, he excelled at being an announcer and was loved by the cowboys, the clowns and the crowd. His personality, mannerisms, true gentlemanly ways, and love for the west and all things rodeo were his way of life.
He grew up working with his father in rodeo production, and began his announcing career in 1956 with Vern Oyler’s “miniature rodeo” in Garland, and went on to announce The Little Buckaroo Rodeo throughout Idaho and Utah. For over 40 years he announced at all levels of rodeo in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and Nevada.
His wife, Nancy was by his side keeping track of the riders and ropers names, along with their stats, which allowed Val to keep talking, using his own quips, banter and knowledge to present an event like no other.
He was a monument to generations of youth as he felt rodeo was one of the few sports where the individual could compete on his own against the world.
His booming voice was a legend. He was master of the “mic” for rodeos, horse shows, chariot races, horse pulling contests, ball games, fashion shows, talent show, auctions and western style competitive games, who promoted the western lifestyle from his signature neck scarf to his humble cowboy ways.