The Greenlee County Cowbelles honor a rancher every year around Father’s Day. This year, the Cowbelles nominated Douglas Stacy.
Op-Ed By Douglas Stacy – Greenlee Cattle Growers and Cattlemen Association
My name is Douglas Stacy. I came from a ranching family. My grandfather was Fred Austin Stacy. He was born in Kansas in 1876 and came to Arizona just before 1900. His first ranch was located at HL Canyon. Later on, he and his wife, Mary Eleanor Laney, moved across Blue River to the ranch on Johnston Canyon. From this ranching heritage is where mine began.
My father, Kenneth Ray Stacy, was one of 10 children of Fred and Mary Stacy. Fay Moore, a sister of my dad, was married to William Ellis Moore (Tulley). They ranched on the upper Blue River for approximately 56 years. My brother Dennis and I helped on their ranch ever since we were little boys. You might say, we practically grew up there. We learned valuable ranching skills from Fay and Tulley which we still use to hit day. While Tulley taught us how to ranch, Fay taught us how to keep books on all of the cows. (Not to mention, she was a great ranch cook!) Fay and Tulley have since passed on many years ago, but Den and I still carry on the ranching legacy at the Bar-8 Ranch. Our four grown children, Kimberly, Brent, Kambrah, and Kari were all raised with a ranching background. We still use the Bar-8 brand along with our own brands. Our children, grandchildren, and son-in-laws help us with some of the workload.
We’ve had our ups and downs with ranching as most ranchers do. For example, when the Wallow Fire broke out years ago, we had to move our cattle to Vernon, Arizona, on a private land holding. We have also had to move our cattle to the Mesa Allotment (4 Bar Ranch), which we managed for the Fillemans.
You might say that ranching has been in my blood for generations. I feel like I’ve passed on a wonderful opportunity for my children and grandchildren. It has taught them hard work, the value of a dollar, and the satisfaction of raising and selling livestock that helps feed this country.
Thank you for the recognition that you have given me and the gift certificate. I’m deeply humbled.
– Douglas Stacy
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