Submitted photos

Betty Morgan was honored for her years of service to the Harney County Fair & Rodeo.

The late Betty Morgan was named Grand Marshal of this year’s Harney County Fair & Rodeo.

Betty was a true Harney County pioneer who always put her county and community first.

As a youngster, she participated in the youth livestock steer show, winning a few championships. She and her sister, Doris, were the first fair court for Harney County, following the war.

Betty was the behind-the-scenes trooper for her husband, Mike, who was always trying to improve the fair in some way. When Mike returned from a fair in Northern California, he wanted to start a stock horse futurity. Betty did what she could to help him make it happen. She even participated with her prize horses in her younger years. Mike hauled the youth livestock animals from fair to their final destination for 25 years, and Betty always handled the book work and kept things running smoothly.

Betty was addicted to quality cattle. Over the years, she sent 4-H show steers all over the country. She also helped kids achieve their dreams of a purple banner.

In 2014, the Morgans made a sizable contribution to the Fair, and the “Morgan Arena” was born. The Morgans also gave generously to the Senior Center for needed improvements.

The Morgans’ final wishes outlined additional contributions of sizable sums to the Fair, Senior Center, and Morgan Scholarship (for young people interested in some form of agriculture).

We will never know how Betty would have reacted to being asked to accept the honor of Grand Marshal because she didn’t help people for the “attaboy”. Her family believes she would have accepted it with grace and a proud heart.

Betty never missed the fair. For years, she and her sister, Doris, could be seen trotting from the grandstands, watching the stock horse futurity, and in the livestock show arena. They didn’t want to miss any of the kids’ events. Betty endured the last 10 years by herself, but she was always there, cheering for her people.