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My first Midwest sale was in 1972...
as a consignor I always felt the sale or-
ganization has been excellent and that has been a tribute to Larry and the
amazing staff that he has assembled. Many of the notable rams we have used
were purchased in the sale and as our family grew so did our presence at the
sale......being ‘old enough’ to travel w/ dad to Sedalia was a big deal to our son
and daughter and Larry always took time to speak to , kid and encourage them
and often find an odd job or errand for them to do....... I’m not sure all of his
recollections of their father were accurate, but then again maybe they were.
Larry always found a way to work out difficult situations ,and at a sale as big
as The Midwest, there are always plenty. Having been involved in a couple I
always appreciated Larrys’ concern for the consignor and their interests.
It’s hard to imagine anyone being involved today, in any activity, as long as
Larry’s leading of the Midwest sale---talk about seeing and managing change.
One constant however was his interest in and encouragement of sheep peo-
ple...Be they the largest consignor or the greenest seller or buyer---Larry un-
derstood that the sheep business is really the people business---it’s relation-
ships that count!!! My family has seen and benefited from Larry’s work with
the Midwest Stud Ram Sale and we wish he and Kathy nothing but the best
during the years to come.
--Lee Wheaton, Wheaton Hampshires
Tribute to Industry Great
and Past Sale Manager
LARRY MEAD
Best wishes
and good
health in your retirement!
--Kevin, Sarah and
Katherine Kuykendall
Continued on Page 138...
I once recall Larry Mead once saying, “If you find something you like to do
you’ll never have to work a day in your life. I like being around sheep peo-
ple and purebred sheep people are achievers.” There is no question that
his life’s undertakings and involvement with the sheep industry has been
a “labor of love.” His active interests in the industry went well beyond the
circles of the purebred sector to all areas affecting the sheep industry,
whether it be in promotion, legislation, support of research and youth
programs just to name a few. His engaging personality and memory of
people and detailed facts about them are amazing.
At the time when I was assuming a more active role with the NDSU sheep
program, Wes Limesand “reintroduced” me to him (I had not seen him for
a few years) he told me the exact place and time we had previously been
introduced, what was going on and what we talked about. It is truly a gift.
He has used that gift to engage PEOPLE! He remembers and acknowledg-
es birthdays, anniversaries, children’s (and grandchildren’s) names, their
interests, occupations (and occupational changes) and details that go well
beyond most everyone else’s memory. The list of those he has mentored
is truly too extended to be detailed but they include many in positions of
very high responsibility in all types of activities. His unique traits and ac-
complishments qualify him as an “icon” and I have greatly appreciated the
chance to interact , know and learn from Larry Mead. Thank you!!
--Bert Moore
Retired Professor and Judging Coach, NDSU
