In Memoriam: Russell Crockett

July 9, 1906---August 12, 1999

Russell Crockett is Round Valley's own true life legendary frontiersman.

Poem about Russell Crockett's Life

He'd been around these parts since he was two years old, ninety-one years to be exact, and probably knew more about the hills of Round Valley then the coyotes themselves. From Eden Valley to Hammerhorne Ridge, from Cow Mountain to Anthony Peak, he'd traveled and camped the land on horseback, muleback, and foot, and most of the time it's just been part of his job.

As Round Valley's proverbial cowboy and trapper, Russell worked on almost all of the major ranches and rode almost all the trails in the area.

Russell Crockett came over the hill from Eden Valley to settle in Round Valley in 1908, joined by his father, grandmother and sister. They purchased 100 acres along Dobie Lane, near Mill Creek. There the three set about ranching the land, mostly with hogs and cattle.

Russell learned well and developed a reputation working with animals and riding the trails. He broke and rode many good saddle horses. He owes his success with horses to a simple formula: "You got to be firm and gentle." Up to a couple of years ago, Russell shoed his own horse and took to the trail with Bill Hurt.

After graduating from RVHS in 1925, Russell refined his skill with animals so ranchers around the valley then began seeking his help. He ranched for Jim Hurt for awhile and then he was hired as a foreman on the Bar Z Ranch in Williams Valley, and latter he worked as a foreman for sixteen years on the large Newhall Ranch (now called the Diamond-H Ranch) in the southern part of the valley.That was from 1944 to 1959.

Eventually Russell began looking for a bit of security, but he shied away from giving up his life on the trail. In 1960 he found the perfect job as Round Valley's local trapper which lasted for thirteen years. It afforded him a pension and gave him the hills, and the freedom that goes with them. He was good with dogs as well and had several favorite hounds to accompany him on his forays into the hills.

After retiring from the county as a trapper, Russell took up with Jim Strong. Locals may remember Strong's plan for a zoo here in the Valley back in the late 60s, first on Hill Road and then out by Short Creek. Russell accompanied Strong on numerous trips across the country (Canada, Texas, South Dekota) looking for animals for his zoo. Russell would train and feed the animals and was particularly good with Mountain Lions. Although the zoo idea was eventually abandoned, Russell enjoyed the experience and soon had a job managing the large Lang Ranch, north of the valley which he did for nine years until he finally retired, so to speak.

Over the years Russell served on many organizations including being the director of the Covelo Community Park and on various rodeo committees. He was honored as the grand marshal of the Covelo Community Park's Rodeo in 1989 as well as the FFA Field Day parade and rodeo in 1990.

Russell donated much of his time to the local community through the FFA and the building of the Covelo Community Park's rodeo grounds which he says is "one of the best in the country," with its three inch welded pipe construction. He enjoyed working long hours with Wes McNutt and Quinto "George" Giorgetti and numerous other community volunteers putting it all together.

Russell meet his wife, Doty (Gertrude) Crockett, in school during the 1920s. (See photo of Doty's seventh grade class, page ) They regularly attended evening dances held at the school„"it's the only time you'd see people," he says„and they've been a couple ever since, marrying in 1929.

Doty's maiden name is Brown, daughter of Albert and Emma Brown and related to several other local Browns in the valley. Many relatives and friends refer to Russell as "Uncle Russ."

Russell and Doty found their own place in 1936, located on Henderson and Tabor, but they couldn't build on it until 1937 because the snow was two feet deep in the valley that winter. Every ten years, it seems, the winters get pretty onery. Russell remembers the cold dry winter of '49 when "even the grasses froze."

Doty Crockett has been a companion of Russell's for many years and in more ways than one. She has her own skills with horses and together they started the Round Valley Riding Club in 1954 with the first meeting in their living room. They enjoyed riding the high mountain trails together and proud to have known the time when the trails were more pristine. Together they frequently attend parades and rodeos, winning numerous ribbons for their horsemanship and as the most handsome matching pair.

Doty also has her own knowledge of the valley, its people and events.

She was a leader of the Junior Riding Club back in the fifties when the rodeo was on the south end of the valley near Poonkinney. She has helped Russell in many of his projects and has often been seen cooking a big pot of beans at the FFA Field Days and local rodeos. Together they can be seen regularly at the Senior Center as well as the Assembly of God Church, to which they attribute, in part, their longevity and good health. They also believe that abstinence from vices such as smoking and drinking had no small part in keeping them in the saddle. And, it's generally agreed, whether its high on the trail or simply sitting around their living room, if only for their honest and friendly natures, they'll always be riding high in the saddle around here.

Poem about Russell Crockett's Life

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