Empty Saddles
Arlene MacKerracher
Acampo, CA
1940-2012
Arlene Joan MacKerracher, a "very young" 71, left this earth after a short battle with cancer on August 9, 2012.
Arlene was born September 22, 1940, in Pensacola, Florida to Arthur and Virginia Chatham. Arlene’s father was in the Navy for 32 years, making her a "Navy brat." A large part of her schooling took place in Hawaii. Her family moved to Cupertino, Calif. when she was a high school senior. It was there that she met the love of her life, William J. MacKerracher, better known as Buzz.
Read more: Arlene MacKerracher 1940-2012
Harry Cohn, Jr.
Portola Valley, CA
May 25, 1930-Aug. 28, 2012
By Kendra Cohn
Harry Cohn was a cowboy. If ever a man gave Roy and Gene a run for their money, it may have been him. Although he was not known as a crooner, his dark hair, olive skin, and piercing blue eyes made many, many women swoon. Born and raised around San Francisco, Calif., Harry went into the army right after high school. At 21, he came home and married for the first of three times. He had two children, Paula and Ed, and raised them to appreciate good horses and Italian cooking. Harry made his living as a carpenter, but was very involved in the equine industry. Harry was a team roper and a darn good one. Possibly this was best reflected by his winning the Oakdale 10 Steer many years ago. He also trained and showed state champion cutting horses. He even became a breeder, whose lines turned out multiple champions in various events. In these ways, Harry kept himself busy enjoying what life had to offer him.
By Walt Woodard
Special To Ropers Sports News
I admire bravery, I think we all do. It doesn’t have to be only on the battlefield. I hear stories about soldiers that have done amazing things under fire to save their men. Believing in a cause so strong that you no longer think of yourself first is something extra ordinary. During my life I have been extremely fortunate to have met so many amazing people with character and qualities that I would like to possess. Most of them you have never heard of. They are not famous or sports athletes, just everyday people. When faced with things that we fear they do and say the right thing.
Randy Clifford Robinson, age 58, returned home to his Lord and Savior on July 18, 2012, in French Camp, Calif., after a two-year battle with cancer.
Randy was born to the late Vaughn Robinson and Ruth Wisdom on December 11, 1953. He is also preceded in death by his grandmother, Murial Robinson; his mother-in-law, Ann Roberts and his brother-in-law, Jimmie Roberts.
Melvin A. Bettencourt, age 83, a devoted son and loving partner, passed away on July 7, 2012. Mel, a 65+ year resident of Merced County, was born in Snelling, Calif., on Nov. 3, 1928, to Joseph and Amelia Bettencourt.
Mel spent his early years in Snelling working his parents’ dairy farm. As a young man, he moved to Oregon, where he worked for many years driving logging trucks for the timber industry. Throughout his life, he held a variety of jobs including rancher, cattle worker, truck driver, farmer, arena operator, and roper.