Stanley and Susan Rorex have been named Grand Marshals for the 2014 Labor Day Parade.
Their recognition might have come as a surprise to the couple, but it sure didn't to anyone who's associated with the Tri-County Fair & Stampede.
Fair Chairman Darrel Field said producing the annual event would be nearly impossible each year without the help of the dedicated duo.
"They are both filled with ideas and enthusiasm and positive energy about the fair," said Field. "When they set their minds to do something, they do it; I never have to worry about their follow through."
Field said over the past seven years, the couple has contributed untold hours to the planning and execution of the fair.
He said Stan has worked very hard to include the Nevada National Guard with static displays and lots of hands-on stuff for kids. Oftentimes this includes soliciting commanding officers directly.
Field said Susan has an artist's eye when it comes to laying out the exhibit hall. The fountain and seating area have always been her idea with Stan jumping in to get it done to her vision.
The two are no strangers to community service. In addition to a long list of volunteer contributions over the years, the pair currently head up two of Winnemucca's most respected organizations.
Susan is currently the chairman of the Humboldt Hospital Auxiliary, which oversees volunteer efforts at Humboldt General Hospital as well as operation of the Poke & Peek Thrift Shop.
Stan is chairman of the Winnemucca Ministerial Association which, in addition to many other functions, oversees operation of the Winnemucca Food Bank and the Winnemucca Soup Kitchen.
Plus, Susan is a regular exhibitor at the Tri-County Fair.
Stan was born in Mecca, Calif., where his father was a city police officer and date farm foreman, and his mother was a school teacher.
He grew up in San Dimas, Calif., where he was very involved in scouts, earning his Eagle Award and two palms. He also played football for Bonita High School, and worked at one of the original McDonald's restaurants.
In 1961, he attended Mt. San Antonio College where he received his associate's degree in fire science with a minor in geology and political science. While there, he played two years of college football - and he met Susan Irene Olson.
Susan grew up in southern California and also attended Mt. San Antonio Junior College.
She and Stan were married on March 26, 1966 - what Stan calls "the happiest day of my life."
Stan had worked at various jobs for the U.S. Forest Service and California Division of Forestry during those early years.
After the two were married, they attended Humboldt State College until Susan graduated in 1968 with a degree in history and minor in Spanish. She then earned a master's degree in history at the University of La Verne, an extension of Claremont Colleges.
For the next 4.5 years, Stan worked for the Pomona Fire Department as a firefighter, rescue squad EMT and member of the bomb squad.
During this time, Stan and Susan were blessed with two sons: Andrew Russell Rorex and Joseph Arn Rorex.
In the spring of 1973, Winnemucca Police Chief Les Jones offered Stan a job as a police officer. It was a big move for the two, but it gave Susan the chance to finish a minor in art at the University of Nevada Reno.
It also gave her the chance to begin teaching art at Lowry High School, where her extracurricular duties included coaching volleyball, being senior class adviser, Block L adviser and Art Club adviser.
Under her direction, the Art Club organized the first Humboldt County Student Art Show to showcase the work of all county students; the event has continued each year since.
In 1976, Stan transferred to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office under then-Sheriff Frank Weston, where he worked as an investigator - a position he held until 1983, having been involved in investigating some major homicides.
In 1980, Susan was named the Humboldt County Teacher of the Year and was one of five finalists for Nevada Teacher of the Year. Two years later, she left art and began teaching government, history, stagecraft and drama.
As a drama teacher, her students presented the first children's play as a gift to the children of Humboldt County - a tradition that continues today. She also painted a mural in the library as a present to the newly established Children's Library.
From 1983 through 1986, Stan worked for the Bureau of Land Management as a fire crew foreman and incident commander. He received an Exemplary Act Award from the BLM during this time for saving Earl Horton.
During their time in Winnemucca, two more sons were born to the couple: Jason Alan Rorex and Nicholas David Rorex.
From November 1986 through December 1989, Stan worked full time for the Nevada Division of Forestry as a foreman and fire instructor. That was followed by a more than 10-year career with the Nevada Department of Public Safety as a State Adult Parole and Probation Office.
Stan officially retired as a public servant in 2000. Susan also retired from the Humboldt County School District in 2000, although she says she will always be a Buckaroo!
Following retirement, Stan worked part time as a contract firefighter/foreman for several years. He also acquired his private investigator's license, which is still current.
Susan threw herself into volunteer work, supervising the Winnemucca Soup Kitchen, managing the Christmas food basket program and working with many others to create the Winnemucca Food Bank.
She also continued to help then-drama teacher Janet Kennedy at the high school and became involved in the White Sage Productions of Arsenic and Old Lace and The Pink Panther.
Susan also directed and/or staged numerous plays, which she says "are best forgotten."
Additionally, she served on the Parks and Rec Board, the Library Board, the Fair Board, as a charter member of Delta Kappa Gamma, and as a member of the RPEN and the Northern Nevada Dive Rescue Team.
She was also named the 1998 LHS Homecoming Grand Marshal, a 2006 Red Cross Volunteer Hero, and in 2008 she was inducted into the Lowry High School Buckaroo Hall of Fame.
"Humboldt County has been very kind to a stranger from southern California," said Susan. "My family is the number one most important thing in my life, but I also care deeply about the children and young people of the county."
In addition to their four sons, Stan and Susan have three "extraordinary" daughters-in-law: Zwaantje, Courtney and Heather; and six "amazing" grandchildren: Brian, Savannah, Caden, Austen, Morgan and Bailey.
Stan and Susan will lead the annual Labor Day Parade down Winnemucca Boulevard beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30.
Before and after, Field said the two will be found hard at work at the Winnemucca Events Complex.
"They are both amazing workers with excellent people skills. They also keep an eye on the Exhibit Hall during the three days of the Fair," he said.
Field added, "We greatly appreciate their help and feel that the Tri-County Fair & Stampede just wouldn't be possible without their amazing energy and enthusiasm."
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