R Wendell Johnson

     R Wendell Johnson, at 87 years old, passed peacefully on June 12, 2024, entering the Great Pasture to push a big herd of cows and rush on to the arena to announce the Granddaddy of Them All, as Rod caught steers and Kathryn timed beside him!

     Wendell was larger-than-life and he made the Energizer Bunny look slow. He was always on the go, up before dawn, running the ranches, heading to one of a multitude of board meetings, then on to announce a rodeo, parade or auction for a fund raiser. Wendell never met a stranger and he absolutely loved kids, evidenced by his passion for announcing three generations of high school rodeo athletes. He was gritty, tough, kind and encouraging to all, always up for an adventure.

     Wendell’s rodeo life started during the time of open range, work horses, haying and thrashing crews and steam engines. At a young age, he enjoyed working for a rodeo producer, gathering stock. He discovered that his “butt was too round” to ride rough stock but it never dampened his enthusiasm for the sport of rodeo. In those days, the arena consisted of cars parked in a circle and when an announcer failed to show, Wendell stepped into that role, starting a lifetime of announcing. That included the Outlaw Day Rodeo for forty-five years, High School rodeo at the district and state level for thirty-five years, chariot races for Silver Creek, at Idaho State Finals and in Wells, Nevada, the All Indian Rodeo for four years in four locations, a multitude of junior rodeos, pig wrestlings, demolition derbies, mud bogs and many parades. He enjoyed being the head announcer at Ketchum’s Wagon days for fifteen years and loved helping the Big Hitch through town. Along with all the other fun, Wendell team sorted, jamboreed, chariot raced and at one time put together a Shetland bucking horse string.  

     In additional to announcing and ranching, Wendell held many jobs. He sold real estate, did farm and ranch appraisals, Assistant Manager for Big Wood Canal Company, Lincoln County Assessor, Lincoln County Planning & Zoning Administrator and Richfield P & Z Chairman, Mid Snake Water Resource Commission, operated two power plants and managed two other ranching operations. He was proud of a thirty-one-year association with Big Wood Canal Company and American Falls Reservoir District No. 2. He served on the Committee of Nine to build the American Falls Reservoir where he testified before congress to facilitate the project.

     He was inducted into the Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2011, was a longtime director of District 5 High School Rodeo and a founding member of the Richfield Riding Club.

     Wendell is survived by his wife, Cathy Gilbert; brother, Frank [Vicky] Johnson; daughter, Brenda [Doug] Butler; step-daughter, Acee [Mitch] Lucero; eight grandkids; ten great-grandkids; and two great great grandkids..

     He is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Kathryn; sister, Faye Chatfield; son, Rod Johnson; and many special relatives.

     In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Idaho State High School Rodeo Scholarship Fund, % Luann Swainston, Box 163, Richfield, Idaho 83349.

     A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 10:00 am at the Gooding Pro Rodeo Arena at the Gooding Fairgrounds with lunch to follow.     

     Cremation and funeral services are under the care of Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel.

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