Mary Kay Walker holds the award given to her father posthumously. She is with Sen. Mike Enzi, left, and Tim Barkhurst, who was inducted into the hall last year.
More than 1,200 people attended the Cowboy Hall of Fame at the Casper Events Center Sept. 27 to honor 54 individuals being inducted into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Mary Kay Walker's father, Leonard Albert "Len" Walker was one of those inducted and she came from Reno, Nev., to accept the award on her late father's behalf.
Walker was among the cowboys and cowgirls who represented a cross section of the state of Wyoming and its cowboy history – trail driving, building ranches, breeding fine cattle and horses, packing and outfitting, rodeoing and chariot racing to name a few.
According to his obituary in the Sept. 18, 1957 edition of the Saratoga Sun, Walker was born in the house that was owned by Henry Flohr, his brother-in-law.
Walker graduated from Saratoga High School in 1929 and attended the University of Wyoming for one year.
He spent most of his life in ranch work, employed for two years at the A Bar A Ranch, then for several years was employed at a dude ranch near Dubois. After working for an oil company in Casper for two years, he returned to Saratoga in 1939 taking over management of the Freeland Land and Cattle Company on Pass Creek. In 1941, Walker purchased his father's interest in that property.
Walker died of a heart attack after riding out on horseback to check on an ailing cow and to check on gates and and fences on his adjoining land. He was found at Kennaday Ranch on Cedar Creek.
The Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame is rapidly outgrowing its virtual presence and is seeking a permanent dwelling where memorabilia of the honorees can be displayed. Communities that are interested can contact their regional board members with ideas or suggestions.
The Class of 2016 will open Jan. 1, 2016 for nominations.
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