Rodeo dedication

This year’s SandHills Stock Show and Rodeo was dedicated to Calvin “Bod” Bond and Suzahn Smith.

Calvin Smith, son of Harold and Williford (Bond) Smith, is currently chairman of the Area’s Farm Service Agency and serves on the Crane County Land Appraisal District.

He became an official member of the SandHills Hereford Show in 1973, and he has served in a variety of capacities throughout the years.

He has served as director of the Baby Beef/Steer Division and Sales Team in the Livestock Show, Baby Beef/Steer chairman, stock show vice president and rodeo vice president.

Lillian Smith, daughter of Pierre and Mary Jo (Luna) St. Romain, has also served in a variety of capacities throughout the years.

She has served on the judging panel for the SandHills Rodeo Queen Contest, became member of the SandHills Queen Association, chairman of the SandHills Sidekicks, director of the board, helped co-produce the 60th anniversary of the SandHills documentary in 1993, P.R. committee member and SandHills School Days Rodeo chairman.

The Smiths continue to be rodeo committee members through today.

The couple met in the fall of 1968 at West Texas State University in Canyon and married in August 1969 in her hometown in Plains.

Following college graduation and Calvin’s service in the Texas National Guard, they soon returned to his home in the SandHills at the J Bar Ranch of Crane County.

They raised three sons, Jason, Justin and Jordan in the ranching lifestyles and their four grandchildren, Lauren, Leah, Nathan and Daniel.

A few of Calvin’s Pioneer Ancestors were the Smiths, Rhodes, Coopers, Dunness and McGees who settled in Crane and Ector Counties. Some of Suzahn’s pioneer ancestors were named Hurst, Grimes, Luna, Power and Earnest settling in Yoakum and Ector Counties. Both their families have more than 100 years and six generations of ranching.

As a couple, they have helped with 4-H events and livestock shows in Crane when their sons were younger and then provided years of Chuck Wagon Meals and Bunks at Texas A&M events for their sons and their corps and Calvary Units.

They have always been active in their church and serve on various boards like the Parker House Ranch Museum in Odessa.

However, their concentration of volunteer activities and main focus continues to be the preservation of the traditions and heritage of the SandHills Stock Show and Rodeo.