Leonard Albert Walker born April 16, 1912 Saratoga, Wyoming to A. B. Walker and Madeline McPhail Walker. Died September 18, 1957.
Len attended the University of Wyoming and was a member of the ATO Fraternity. Won Cheyenne Frontier Days All Wyoming Bronc Riding in 1937.
Married Geraldine Ida Ashley of Encampment, WY September 22, 1935. Two children were born of this union, Mary Katherine Walker and Albert Ray Walker who died 1/21/2013 in Kennewick, WA.
Len worked for Andy Anderson at the ABarA as a dude wrangler. He also worked in the oil fields in Casper before buying his father’s interest out in the Freeland Cattle Co on Pass Creek.
He was very proud of the commercial Hereford herd he raised and if you came for a visit on the ranch you always got a personal tour of the herd and his prize horses.
He brought some of the best registered Quarter horses into the valley by purchasing a stallion — Dun Ding of Peter McCue blood lines from Dewey Noral of Colorado. At the time of Len’s death he had approximately 60 head of registered horses.
Len was an inspiration to many local boys with aspirations of being a cowboy. This list included, but not limited to, Billy Whitney, Jack, Bill, Bob Stew Runner, Bob Corpening and Tim Barkhurst.
Len was an avid hunter and at one time has 22 hounds. Two of his prize trophies are the lions mounted in the Rustic Bar which he and Charlie Gould killed.
Len judged many bronc ridings at local rodeos in the area over the years.
He was active in supporting and bringing the first Wyoming High School Rodeo associated with the National Finals Rodeo to Saratoga. His daughter, Mary Kay, was the All Around Cowgirl and Stew Runner the All Around Cowboy. Len and Gerry accompanied them to the National Finals High School Rodeo in Reno, Nevada.
One year in the cutting horse contest at the State Fair in Douglas his horse, Miss Pat, jumped the fence trying to stop the escaping steer. Len just laughed and said he should have won with the effort his mare put into that!
Len wanted to die with his boots on and was given his last wish. He had a heart attack checking his cows at summer ranch camp while riding Oscar, his favorite horse. Oscar came in without Len and the gun still in the scabbard on his saddle. Oscar showed the search and rescue team where Len was. That day sent a great 45 year old riding off into the sunset.