JIM BOB IVEY ~ HAPPY 85th BIRTHDAY TRAILRIDE ~ JULY 12, 2008

McCOWN VALLEY PARK - LAKE WHITNEY, TEXAS

JULY 10 - 13, 2008

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(Article on this ride is below photo gallery.)

JIM BOB IVEY 85^TH BIRTHDAY TRAILRIDE

by Redhorse

            Four score and more trailriders, family and friends of Jim Bob Ivey of Kerens , TX gathered at McCown Valley Park on Lake Whitney to celebrate his 85^th  Birthday. It was a fun weekend of trailriding and reminiscing about the many miles and trails shared with Jim Bob.

            Riders rode out at 8:40 on Friday and toured the Lake Whitney shoreline and the shade covered sandy trails of the Army Corps of Engineers property. On Saturday, they and the solo wagon rode out about 8:30. Trailrider Linda Deas turned back just as the ride left camp to request her neighbor pick up some ice cream for the party. The fender on her saddle broke, and the event resulted in Linda being taken to the hospital for examination. She later returned to camp diagnosed with a couple of broken ribs.  Special THANKS go to her camp neighbors for escorting her to and from the hospital and her son for coming to drive her rig home. We all wish Linda a full and swift recovery.

            The wagoneer, Kelly Boesen set some new driving records and his three-up team deserves some recognition as well! Jim Bob said it was one of the most “exciting” wagon rides he’d ever had.

            Jim Bob was blessed with two gatherings on Saturday; one for lunch and one for supper. A video was shown of Jim Bob’s many adventures riding his wonderful horses, BD and Prince. Among the locations were Arizona , Big Bend country, South Dakota , Oklahoma , Mexico and miles and miles of Texas . Gifts included a beautiful patriotic camp chair and carrying case with “Jim Bob” embroidered on the back from Linda Deas. A steel silhouette of a horse head was from wagoneer Kelly & Sue Boesen. He got something dear to his heart; a bumper sticker that says, “Bob Wills is still the King” from Betty Straten . A t-shirt was signed by all the females in camp that reads, “Chick Magnet” and given to him by Sandy Smith and Rhonda Cole.

            Jim Bob gave the crowd an enlightening history of his life from his days playing football at Navarro College, through his years in World War II in the 454^th Air Service Group (working with soaring planes), his marriage to his lovely wife Betty and his wonderful children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; his many years with Texas Power & Light and the 1986 Sesquicentennial Wagon Train that kicked off one of the best trailriding lifestyles around.

            Photos from this fun weekend of trailriding, fellowship and good home-style cooking to celebrate the memorable 85 years of Jim Bob Ivey can be found at www.trailridersjournalonline.com.

            A highlight of the day was when Jim Bob came riding out on Francis; a young 35 year old mule belonging to Mark “Hippy” Morton. He enjoyed a ride around the campsites in his own saddle and said it sure brought back some great memories and made him want to find a horse for future rides!

            We will look for all those that were able to participate in this year’s big 85^th Birthday Trailride Celebration (and those that didn’t get to make it) to join us in 2013 for Jim Bob’s big 90^th Birthday! 

Happy Trails!

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