ELGIN – The Elgin Stampeders will honor Derv Fortenberry of Union

as the grand marshal to usher in the 65th Annual Elgin Stampede Rodeo

on July 7-10.

Fortenberry is well known in Union County as a pharmacist and a long-time supporter of the Elgin Stampede. He was born and raised in Colorado and attended the University of Wyoming (Cowboys) where he earned his pharmacy degree in 1960. He moved to Walla Walla where he worked for a time and then came to Elgin.

“Peg and I and the girls moved to Elgin from Walla Walla in October 1965,” he said. “I bought the city drug store and a house from Walt Stringham.”

Fortenberry settled into the community quickly, establishing Derv’s Drug Store that operated for40 years. He served on the city council in 1967 and as mayor in 1969. He was also involved with the Chamber of Commerce and was past president of the original Elgin Lions Club and Jaycees.

“I was also an active member and caller of the Indian Valley Paraders’ Square Dance Club and an active member of the Wallowa Mountain Appaloosa Horse Club,” he said.

As mayor, he and Jessie McDonald pushed to get the Elgin Community Center and Pool built in 1970. He was the first to take a swim in the pool with his clothes on, thanks to a heave-ho from the general contractor and the architect.

That same year, he purchased a 160-acre ranch on Valley View Road where he raised Appaloosa horses and some cattle. He loved the Western lifestyle, using his leisure time to go trail-riding, hunting, fishing, camping and attend rodeos. During Elgin Stampede week, he and other merchants dressed in Western attire to create that special rodeo welcome to all their visitors.

Derv’s Drug Store also became the hub for tickets sales to some of the Stampede’s social events.

“I always sold concert tickets at the store on the Friday before Stampede,” he said.

In recent years, he alsohelped the Stampeders to build their new VIP grandstand and Chute-9 concession stand. Before the new concession stand was built, he recalled the former food stand.

“I worked in the (old) food booth for several years,” he said. “The sun shone in there pretty good, and it got really warm inside.”

When Fortenberry’s girls were young, he participated in the Stampede play days.

“Our kids were in 4-H then, and we did that at the Stampede grounds.”

Of course he and Peg always attended the delicious crab feeds, and during the 50th anniversary of the Elgin Stampede, he bought a gold and silver commemorative belt buckle that he plans to wear as grand marshal this year. He will be introduced to the audience at the Mark Nichols Memorial Bull Riding night Friday and will preside over the parade on Sunday morning.

“I have announced the Stampede Parade for many years,” said Fortenberry, “but when you’re always reading off a sheet, you don’t get to actually see much of it.”

He said that he wants to ride in the parade on an Appaloosa, but he’s waiting on one of his daughters, Denise McDaniel of Wallowa or Therese Wiles of Elgin, to provide his mount for him.

Fortenberry lost his wife Peg in 2000, after 44 years of happy married life. He’s proud of his family and some of them have remained active with the Elgin Stampeders.

“Denise and her husband, Tim, have three boys,” he said, “and Therese and her husband, Bob, have four girls. Two of the girls, Chelsie Wiles Evans and Hailey Wiles have been queens for the Elgin Stampede. I now have five great-grandchildren.”

Fortenberry remarried in 2002 to Dona Schram and that same year he moved to Union. He sold his Elgin ranch and closed Derv’s Drug Store in 2005. He spends his retirement attending rodeos in Elgin, Joseph and Pendleton, and he and Dona go south for a couple months each winter. But Fortenberry’s heart will also remain in Union County and with the Elgin Stampeders.

“This is the 65th annual Stampede and a great parade will start at 11 a.m. on Sunday,” said Fortenberry. “We’ve got big things planned for the rodeo and the Mark Nichols Bull Riding night on Friday. There is something special for everyone.”

He said he looks forward to being the grand marshal for the most incredible rodeo yet.

“I’d like to thank the Stampeders for giving me the honor of being grand marshal for the 65th annual Elgin Stampede.”

Tickets may be obtained from the royalty court or at the gate. Call Kendall Case at 509-638-9726 or Alexeus Duffey at 541-605-0265 or Hailey VanArsdale at 541-786-5088. Advance tickets sell for $13 for adults and $8 for youths 12 and younger. Gate tickets are an additional $2 each.

Thursday, July 7

6 p.m., family night

(free admission courtesy of Community Bank in Elgin)

Friday, July 8

7 p.m., 14th Annual Mark Nichols Memorial Bull Riding

7 p.m., queen coronation (in the arena)

9 p.m., dance at Stampede Hall (21 and older)

Saturday, July 9

10 a.m., kiddies parade

7 p.m., PRCA Rodeo

9 p.m., dance at Stampede Hall (21 and older)

Sunday, July 10

11 a.m., grand parade

1:45 p.m., Stampede Challenge

2 p.m., PRCA Rodeo