Norene Thompson

It was about the year of 1958 when Norene Murdock Thompson would become a part of something that would bless the lives of many people in Cokeville. Norene moved to Cokeville from Ogden, Utah in 1947, when she was nine years old. Her father was a miner, and her mother, a talented musician (piano player). It wasn’t until she was married that she was around animals.

Norene became the secretary of the Cokeville Rodeo Club when her husband, Stan Thompson Sr., decided to help with the newly formed club, which was the forerunner of the Cokeville Stock and Saddle Club. The club had just been organized and Stan, who was always a cowboy, wanted to be involved. So, Norene was there to help out. Her talents were put to use as the secretary of the club.

Norene was a 24/7 on-call secretary. At home, she would keep her notebook by the phone and she would take it with her when she went to town. She was available at any time to do what was required to make sure the rodeo would run smoothly. Norene was involved with the rodeo during the time it was used as a fundraiser to help pay for building a chapel for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that stands on 725 East Main Street in Cokeville. Every year in July, a Pioneer Day celebration was held to help raise funds for the new chapel. The day of the celebration, you would find Norene at the program, either leading the choir or singing in it. Because she was indispensable at the rodeo grounds, there was an understanding that she needed to be one of the first people in line for the dinner where she would quickly swallow her food and then head off to the rodeo grounds where she would, in her words, “eat dust.”

One of the things Norene remembers the most is how, after the rodeo had ended for the night, she would go to the old town hall and pay the winners. This took a LONG time (hours) and she never did make it to the dance that was held in the evening. She would sacrifice a fun time of dancing to finish a job that needed to be done. During her years as secretary, some of the people she worked with were Virgil Bailey and Joe Deromedis who was a sponsor of the rodeo when he owned the gas station. And of course she worked with her husband who would work the chutes and check the register to make sure the cowboy was there to perform.and do other behind the scene things. She also remembers getting to know the contestants well. At first they  were mostly from Cokeville, Randolph and the surrounding area, but then they started coming from Jackson, Pinedale and Big Piney.

When Stan passed away in 1974, Virgil Bailey asked her to stay on as the secretary for one year. Her knowledge of the program and her management skills were irreplaceable and they needed her expertise. The following year, Virgil again asked her to stay on for one more year, which she did. Then, after 18 years of serving as the secretary, Norene retired from the position in 1976.

We can thank Norene for her contribution that made it possible for a countless number of people to enjoy a wonderful church building to meet in. Even with all of her experience of helping with the rodeo, Norene doesn’t remember ever riding a horse. Thanks to Norene, who was willing to sacrifice her time and personal comfort for many years, others have been able to compete, riding their horses, in the Cokeville rodeo arena. 

SUBMITTED BY CHRISTINE TEICHERT