nate jacob
Nate Jacob has nearly been a lifetime resident of Union, moving from Milton Freewater in 1946. Nate’s involvement with the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show began in 1958 and continued through high school being a member of the Union FFA program under Don Stewart. With old worn-out wood stalls and no show barns, the Union FFA chapter spent many hours cleaning and repairing the old structures, Nate helped until graduation in 1962.
After some army duties, Nate returned to Eastern Oregon College in 1971. He was then recruited to help in the pari-mutuel race program by the Evenson, Snyder, Lincoln CPA Firm. There he helped figure odds and pay-outs on races at EOLS in the early 1970’s. This was the start of 50 plus years of helping to put on the annual event. Nate has watched tremendous growth in new facilities, PRCA Rodeo, adding the PRCA Xtreme Bull Riding and continuation of the Horse Racing at EOLS.
The ground improvements first began when the Braseth family added a new auction sale building, followed by a memorial gift from Pete Davis which enabled EOLS to build the FFA Show Barn. Recognition of the Earl Marshall Memorial brought in funds leading to the construction of the Earl Marshall Pig Barn with restrooms on the 4-H side. The Knott family provided funding for a new 4-H office, stall facility for 4-H steers, concession eating area, showers, and restrooms. Also, in this time frame the Pepsi VIP Water-n-Hole and an additional 20 stall horse barn were added. What a change in the buildings and facilities on the EOLS grounds these improvements made!!
In 2014 the Schram family added the Mace’s Starting Gate to supplement the EOLS Clubhouse. Nate’s contributions and leadership have been instrumental in all these improvements. In 2017, 3 horse barns and a goat barn were destroyed by an unfortunate fire. This was near and dear to Nate as it affected the horse racing portion of EOLS. However, this brought the community together and with lots of help, 3 new horse stall barns and a new multi-purpose barn were built. The multi-purpose building, known as the Becker Family Sale Pavilion, houses the junior market auction and a show ring during the show, and many other events during the year. This building was made possible thanks to the Mike Becker Family and R&M Steel. In 2022, with donations and local business supporters, the lighting system in the arena was replaced.
Now, with another great group of supporters and many donations from our community, a new barn is being constructed and will be ready to go by the time Stockshow week begins. This will hold all of the 4-H sheep and goat projects during the show. Last year's grand marshals, Ray & Lynn Randall, said it best… ”It has been impressive to have witnessed and been a part of helping to make the improved changes to the facilities and grounds over the years.”
Nate served on the EOLS board of directors for many years and was elected president in 1996 & 1997 and served as one of the past still living presidents during the 2007 centennial show. In 2006, Nate was asked to serve on the newly formed Eastern Oregon Livestock Show Foundation Board. Nate says it has also been very rewarding to watch this organization grow and see that the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show Association will be in good hands and have the foundation available to help with improvements and operation costs if needed.
Nate says he has had great pleasure in working with so many 4-H leaders and FFA Advisors throughout the years. He has worked with many leaders of 4-H such as Ralph Hart, Carole Smith, Karie Kelley and others. The list of FFA advisors is long, starting with the advisors from Union, Don Stewart, Dennis Clark, Chelcee Mansfield, Karie Kelley and current advisor, Hailee Jameson. Other FFA advisors, like JD Cant, Daniel Bolen, and Brendan Kelley have also given so much support to the EOLS operation. Nate’s appreciation for all the volunteers giving their time to put on the weeklong EOLS event is immeasurable.
Nate wants to thank the Baker Family & Eagle Carriage and Machine for allowing him time to support the EOLS activities while working for them. He also wants to personally thank so many volunteers such as the Hefner family, the Titus Family, the Yeargain Family, the Hansen family, friends and volunteers Ron Droke & Dave Billings, his late friend Ray McDaniel, and especially his family. Let's keep on giving and volunteering to make the EOLS even greater!
After some army duties, Nate returned to Eastern Oregon College in 1971. He was then recruited to help in the pari-mutuel race program by the Evenson, Snyder, Lincoln CPA Firm. There he helped figure odds and pay-outs on races at EOLS in the early 1970’s. This was the start of 50 plus years of helping to put on the annual event. Nate has watched tremendous growth in new facilities, PRCA Rodeo, adding the PRCA Xtreme Bull Riding and continuation of the Horse Racing at EOLS.
The ground improvements first began when the Braseth family added a new auction sale building, followed by a memorial gift from Pete Davis which enabled EOLS to build the FFA Show Barn. Recognition of the Earl Marshall Memorial brought in funds leading to the construction of the Earl Marshall Pig Barn with restrooms on the 4-H side. The Knott family provided funding for a new 4-H office, stall facility for 4-H steers, concession eating area, showers, and restrooms. Also, in this time frame the Pepsi VIP Water-n-Hole and an additional 20 stall horse barn were added. What a change in the buildings and facilities on the EOLS grounds these improvements made!!
In 2014 the Schram family added the Mace’s Starting Gate to supplement the EOLS Clubhouse. Nate’s contributions and leadership have been instrumental in all these improvements. In 2017, 3 horse barns and a goat barn were destroyed by an unfortunate fire. This was near and dear to Nate as it affected the horse racing portion of EOLS. However, this brought the community together and with lots of help, 3 new horse stall barns and a new multi-purpose barn were built. The multi-purpose building, known as the Becker Family Sale Pavilion, houses the junior market auction and a show ring during the show, and many other events during the year. This building was made possible thanks to the Mike Becker Family and R&M Steel. In 2022, with donations and local business supporters, the lighting system in the arena was replaced.
Now, with another great group of supporters and many donations from our community, a new barn is being constructed and will be ready to go by the time Stockshow week begins. This will hold all of the 4-H sheep and goat projects during the show. Last year's grand marshals, Ray & Lynn Randall, said it best… ”It has been impressive to have witnessed and been a part of helping to make the improved changes to the facilities and grounds over the years.”
Nate served on the EOLS board of directors for many years and was elected president in 1996 & 1997 and served as one of the past still living presidents during the 2007 centennial show. In 2006, Nate was asked to serve on the newly formed Eastern Oregon Livestock Show Foundation Board. Nate says it has also been very rewarding to watch this organization grow and see that the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show Association will be in good hands and have the foundation available to help with improvements and operation costs if needed.
Nate says he has had great pleasure in working with so many 4-H leaders and FFA Advisors throughout the years. He has worked with many leaders of 4-H such as Ralph Hart, Carole Smith, Karie Kelley and others. The list of FFA advisors is long, starting with the advisors from Union, Don Stewart, Dennis Clark, Chelcee Mansfield, Karie Kelley and current advisor, Hailee Jameson. Other FFA advisors, like JD Cant, Daniel Bolen, and Brendan Kelley have also given so much support to the EOLS operation. Nate’s appreciation for all the volunteers giving their time to put on the weeklong EOLS event is immeasurable.
Nate wants to thank the Baker Family & Eagle Carriage and Machine for allowing him time to support the EOLS activities while working for them. He also wants to personally thank so many volunteers such as the Hefner family, the Titus Family, the Yeargain Family, the Hansen family, friends and volunteers Ron Droke & Dave Billings, his late friend Ray McDaniel, and especially his family. Let's keep on giving and volunteering to make the EOLS even greater!
