Page 105 - January_2023

YEAR in 202 REVIEW 2
“There are some who bring a light so great into the world that even after they have gone the light remains.” - Unknown
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COLE JUNGERS MARCH
WILLIE S. HICKMAN
(March 15) Willie S. Hickman, who served in numerous capacities in the Texas/Louisiana Racing industry, passed away in Houston at the age of 64. Hickman was involved in many roles in the racing community from training racehorses to serving in a variety of duties in the Sam Houston Race Park racing office for more than 20 years – as a stall superintendent, jockey room coordinator, jockey agent, and stakes coordinator.
APRIL
JIM NEBEKER
(April 20) Longtime Utah horseman James ‘Jim’ Dale Nebeker, 81, passed away following a long battle with cancer. Born in 1940, Jim married Loya Jeanne Lemon in 1962 in Roosevelt, Utah. He owned and operated JN Trucking since 1987 and continued to be active there until his illness. Jim enjoyed horse racing, rodeo, farming, and hunting. He was ranked a leader by wins in 2020 and 2021, with earnings of over $960,000. Perhaps his best horse was Jess Ought To Flash, who won the Grade 2 Zia Derby for him,
and No Hesitation, winner of the Utah Bred Futurity. After his passing, his 2-year-old filly All Tyme High won the Hadley-Giles Futurity and his 3-year-old filly Tynacious won the Nevada Racing Circuit Non-Winners of Two at Weber Downs on April 30.
LES HORNER
(April 30) Oklahoma horseman and businessman Les Horner, 83, passed away. Born in 1938, Les married his childhood sweetheart in 1956 and together he and Leah raised two children. As a teenager, Les played steel guitar in the Sooner Swing Band before becoming an entrepreneur. He opened Food City Red Bud, developed Horner Foods, built six Price Mart stores and
STEVE HOLLAND JACK MANNING
nine Horner Apple Markets. He served on the Board of Associated Wholesale Grocers Kansas City, Century National Bank, Oklahoma Baptist University, and Gatesway Advisory Board. He was a Deacon at Southern Hills Baptist Church. Horner, who was known for his generosity and integrity, retired in 1999 and sold his six Price Mart stores to Reasors and his nine Horner Apple Markets to Homeland. Les was the breeder of 110 AQHA foals, 86 starters and the earners of over $850,000, including five stakes winners. Perhaps the top horse he bred was 13-time winner Tinys Rose Bud ($238,430), and he purchased her dam Running Rose in 1977. Runnin Rose offspring have produced Champion Tinys First Effort, and Grade 1 winners Strawflyin Buds and Terrific Energy. Horner was also a partner in leading sires Desirio, Dean Miracle and La Jollaroid.
MAY
HELEN KLEBERG GROVES
(May 6) Longtime horsewomen Helen Kleberg Groves, 94, passed away. Helen, the only
child of Robert Justus Kleberg Jr. and Helen Campbell Kleberg, was raised on the King Ranch. She graduated from Foxcroft School and attended Vassar College. Her passions included ranching, horses, and family. She was a skilled rider and competed across the country, winning many championship awards, and she was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1998. ‘Helenita’ oversaw King Ranch’s Buck and Doe Run Valley Farms in Pennsylvania; owned Silverbrook Farms in Virginia and Silverbrook Ranches in Texas; led King Ranch’s Assault into the winners’ circle after his 1946 Triple Crown victory; was devoted philanthropist; served as President of the Robert J. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation until 2020; served on many boards of educational institutions as well as the National Sporting Library and Museum; and was a Director of King Ranch from 1956-1988.
JERRY SHOEMAKE
MARGARET MCKERLEY
(May 19) Breeder Margaret Langford McKerley passed away in Louisiana. Margaret graduated with a master’s degree in Special Education
and worked as a teacher. She met C.O. “Mac” McKerley in 1952 and they were married for 59 years, and together they had three children. Mac was an AQHA director and Margaret enjoyed racing. She was the breeder and owner of 2021 LQHBA Louisiana Million Invitational winner Flying Adelia.
CALLAN JOHN LEJEUNE
(May 28) Longtime horseman Callan John Lejeune, 83, passed away in Rayne, Louisiana. Lejeune owned and operated BSC WaterCare for 38 years and Lejeune Cash Grocery for 18 years. He was a breeder, owner and trainer of racehorses for over 55 years, and was a member of the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association and Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association.
JUNE
STEVE HOLLAND
(June 1) Longtime horseman and rancher Robert Steven Holland, 82, of Florida, passed away. Holland was involved in horseracing, mostly
in Louisiana, in the name of T M Ranch with earnings of more than $2.4 million. His leading money earner was Ol Time Preacher Man, winner of the LQHBA Futurity-G1 and $565,933 in earnings, as well as G2 winners Heza Louisiana Dash ($531,041) and JLS Dash N Fire ($209,891). Steve is survived by a son and daughter, many grandchildren and great grandchildren, and other family members and friends. A supporter of the Orlando Police Department, family members suggest donations to the Hometown Heroes Alliance in Steve’s honor.
JACK MANNING
(June 12) Jack Manning, 96, passed away peacefully in Odessa, Texas. Manning joined
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