MT Cowboy Hall Of Fame Announces 2024 Inductees

The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center (MCHF & WHC) has announced their 16th class of inductions into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. The inductees were chosen from a field of candidates nominated by the general public. Inductees are honored for their notable contributions to the history and culture of Montana. "The Hall of Fame exists to honor those who have made an impact in their part of the state and represent Montana's authentic Western heritage for future generations," said DuWayne Wilson, MCHF & WHC president. "Our volunteer trustees around Montana vote on nominations that come from the district in which they reside. This process gives the local communities a strong voice in who will represent them in the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame." The MCHF & WHC board of directors has designated 12 trustee districts across the state from which up to 20 trustees may be appointed. Nomination criteria established by the board for the Class of 2024 inductions allowed the election of one Living Inductee and one Legacy Inductee from each of the 12 districts.

District 1 District 1 (Daniels, Phillips, Roosevelt, Sheridan, & Valley Counties): Living: Henry "Gary" Danelson, Scobey; Legacy: David C Funk, Frazer.

District 2 District 2 (Dawson, Garfield, McCone, Prairie, Richland, & Wibaux Counties): Living: Harold Lee Isaacs, Jordan; Legacy: Donald Goodman "Don" Holt, Sidney.

District 3 (Carter, Custer, Fallon, Powder River, Rosebud, & Treasure Counties): Living: Wayne M. Morford, Miles City; Legacy: Miles City Bucking Horse Sale of Miles City.

District 4 (Blaine, Chouteau, Hill, & Liberty Counties): Living: Leon LaSalle, Laredo; Legacy: Clarence Basil Cuts The Rope, Hays.

District 5 (Cascade, Glacier, Pondera, Teton, & Toole Counties): Living: Alvin "Dutch" Lunak & Stuntmen, Blackfeet Country, Valier; Legacy: Joe DeYong, Great Falls.

District 6 (Fergus, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, Musselshell, Petroleum, & Wheatland Counties): Living: Durl J. Gibbs, Buffalo; Legacy: Donald Elton "Don" Abarr, Grass Range

District 7 (Big Horn, Carbon, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, & Yellowstone Counties): Living: Lynn "Jonnie" Jonckowski, Billings; Legacy: Elmer E. Slim" Kobold, Kirby.

District 8 (Broadwater, Jefferson, & Lewis and Clark Counties): Living: Lenore McKelvey Puhek, Helena; Legacy: Paul B. Hart, Helena.

District 9 (Gallatin, Meagher, & Park Counties): Living: Delbert & Janice High, Bozeman; Legacy: Raymond P. "Ray" Ansotegui, Livingston.

District 10 (Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, & Sanders Counties): Living: Betty Mae Wemple Schall, Arlee; Legacy: Alvin Garth "Al" Merritt, Pablo.

District 11: (Mineral, Missoula, & Ravalli Counties): Living: Paul Zarzyski, Missoula; Legacy: William E. "Bill" Mytty, Lolo.

District 12: (Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, Silver Bow, Granite, Madison, & Powell Counties): Living: Walter Elroy "Walt" Shaw, Cardwell; Legacy: John William "Pat" McDonald, Philipsburg.

The MCHF & WHC plans to honor these inductees during the MCHF Annual Induction Ceremony & Western Heritage Gathering Feb. 10, 2024, in Great Falls at the Heritage Inn. Look for more information as it becomes available on our Facebook page and on our website.

Full biographies for past inductees are available on the MCHF & WHC's website, http://www.montanacowboyfame.org. This year's inductees will be added to the website in the near future.

For further information, contact the MCHF & WHC at 406-653-3800 or email [email protected].