Kenneth Marion Field
Marriages
Bety Francis Ford - 1942
Jocey Stryker - 1961
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3C - October 24, 2010
Kenneth Marion Field entered
his life journey in Ouray, CO on
August 11, 1916. Ken was the
second child of Alve and Ethel
Field, later to total eight children.
He was a fourth generation Field
in the Uncompahgre Valley, his
Great Grandfather Dexter having
moved to the valley in 1879, at a
time that the Utes still inhabited
the area. Dexter moved to an area East of Montrose near the Coffee
Pot Range at the mouth of the Black Canyon. He had created the
Coffee Pot brand for his ranch, which remains in the Field family
today, and the range eventually would bear it's name.
Ken grew up in the Great Depression era, his family raising sheep,
and working for anything and everything they could to survive, like
the majority of other rural people of the day. As a young teen, as
would be the case for his brothers as well, he would spend thirty
days in the mountains shepherding sheep with no other human contact,
and then only temporary for supplies and necessities. If not for
his own family, he was hired to different sheepmen in the area. He
spoke of many years "trailing" sheep from Uncompahgre Peak to
near Cisco, UT., returning in the Spring via the same route.
During these formidable years living basically an indigenous life,
his connection with nature was formalized. Ken's every day was his
nurturing of those in his care, his horse, dog/dogs, and the flock. He
had a natural eye for each of these species his entire life. He bred the
animals that he had or had control of to his personal specifications.
The first horse that he registered in the American Quarter Horse Association
(AQHA) was a mare, the year was 1936. He continued to
breed and register horses in both the AQHA and American Paint
Horse Association (APHA), for the next 70 plus years. His mare
line went back to "Red" and "Steel Dust", to eventually include
"Bold Ruler", "Three Bars", and some of the greatest foundation
bloodlines available.
In 1934, he graduated from Montrose High school, however wasn't
able to get a diploma as he was with a band of sheep and couldn't
attend the ceremony. By not attending he never received a diploma.
Decades later after extensive work by his daughter-in-law, Carol
Stryker, he was part of the 2003 Montrose High School graduating
class, finally receiving his diploma. He said, "most people don't take
almost 70 years to get out of high school".
He continued working with the family sheep ranch until, as he put
it, in the latter part of 1941 he received a letter that stated "…your
friends and neighbors have selected you to serve…". He entered the
Air Force in January of 1942, to later be stationed in the European
theatre, his base in Scotland reaching the rank of First Sgt. There he
met Betty Frances Ford at a dance, a native Scot. At the time President
Roosevelt's wife, Eleanor, donated wedding dresses to War
Brides, Betty was one chosen. Time magazine covered the event,
with thousands in attendance. The children especially were taken by
him, the local paper touted, "Scottish Lass marries American Cowboy.",
and they couldn't get enough of him. How could they? He
was a shepherd. Ken and Betty were married in the Summer of
1942, and would eventually move back to the States and have two
children, Sandra born in 1946, and Jim in 1951. Ken went to work
for Pixler Distributing, and sold Coors beer for years.
Their marriage ended in an amicable divorce, which led Ken to
work for a number of the larger, founding ranches on the Western
Slope. Including but not limited to, the OXO, Redd Ranches, and
Marie Scott, to name a few. In November of 1961, Ken married his
wife Jocey, formerly Stryker, a widow of Bob Stryker. Jocey had
three sons, Dee, Dale, and Keith born 1943, 1945, and 1951
respectively. They worked and ranched together until the Summer of
1969 when their son Stoney was born. Almost immediately, they
moved to Utah to work for Deseret Livestock, with Ken hired as the
Sheep Foreman. This was an immense opportunity, working for one
of the largest Western ranches in America. At that time they owned
well over 650,000 acres, were running 15,000 plus cattle, and he
would be in charge of 20,000 plus head of sheep. Being a fluent
Spanish speaker his crew really related to him, his unconditional
love and tolerance drew people to him even to his final days.
Within only a few years his techniques of breeding, grazing, and
tending sheep, created an extremely quality animal, with all of the
desirable characteristics. At that time the quality of wool earned him
an exclusive contract to supply Pendelton. Their specifications for
their fine clothing set a benchmark , that the sheep under Ken's care
consistently produced for years. In 1974 he moved on to work for
Broadbent Sheep Ranches, another 20,000 plus sheep ranch. Within
four years of him leaving, Deseret Livestock was completely out of
the sheep business.
By 1977 Ken was retirement age, he, Jocey, and Stoney, moved
back to Montrose. They built their current home and Ken did
multiple stints with the BLM and Forest Service, who utilized his
knowledge, and livestock experience, as he was appointed a range
manager. He also did other work for sheep ranches in the Valley and
even passed time driving onion trucks. Jocey and Ken became
integral in the Black Canyon Racing Association, which brought
back horse and mule races to the Montrose County Fairgrounds. At
that time he began his work as an artist, drawing western, horse type
works. Kenzart was formed and they sold prints, jackets and cups. In
to his 80's Ken was still spending time horseback and working with
all the animals he loved. He was a lifetime member of the Elks
(BPOE), with well over 50 years of membership.
He celebrated his 90th Birthday the commensurate Cowboy, hat,
boots, pressed shirt. There wasn't a day that he didn't dress the part.
This year would have been the 49th Anniversary of his marriage to
Jocey.
Ken is survived by his wife, Jocey and brothers, Dean, Bob, and
Gerald, as well as sisters, Marilyn and Marge. His surviving children
include Sandra Field, Jim Field, Dee Stryker, Dale Stryker, and
Stoney Field. Both parents; brothers, Shirley and Dale, as well as
son, Keith Stryker preceded him in death. He had ten grandchildren,
19 great grandchildren, and six great great grandchildren.
Anyone whom had the opportunity to have a relationship with Ken,
it will be always treasured. His honest, loving way was impressed on
every person he came in contact with. Ken will be truly missed, yet
his lessons and love are eternal gifts to us.
Funeral services will be held at the Holiday Inn Express conference
center, at 10:00 a.m. Saturday October 30th. The family requests
that all gifts and flowers be delivered to; 500 J Road, Montrose, CO
81401. Thank you in advance for all of your thoughts and prayers.
Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home &
Crematory, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO 81401.
