Jerry King, Butler, Missouri
The recipient of the 1983 Dairy Leadership Award is Jerry King, Butler, Missouri.
Jerry is associated with his brother-in-law, Ed Steele, in the Steele and King Farms, Inc. operation, Rt. 4, Butler. He has a long and active career as an officer and leader in Missouri and national dairy programs.
Mr. King was born in 1935. He graduated from Adrian High School in 1953 where he was a State FFA officer and recipient of the American Farmer Degree in 1955. He graduated from the University of Missouri, Columbia, in 1956 with a degree in agriculture and was a member of the 1955-56 dairy cattle judging team. Jerry married Jeanette Steele in 1956 and in 1957 entered into partnership with Ed Steele. The Steele and King Holstein herd is nationally recognized as a leader in production and show ring winning animals.
The King family consists of: son Richard (Rick) who graduated and received a masters degree in dairy science, University of Missouri 1981, and is now associated in the Steele and King farm operation; daughter, Julie Ann (Mrs. Steve Lewis) and daughter Jana Lea, a student at the University of Missouri. Both Julie Ann and Jana Lea, as was Rick, were very active in the Missouri Junior Holstein Association.
Jerry King served as a Missouri State Holstein Director for eight years and two years as president. He is now a National Director, Holstein Association of America. He is an approved Holstein judge and has served as a member of the All-American selection committee. In recent years he has judged Holstein shows abroad. Among his other offices are: Director of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce; Bates County Fair Board; County Agricultural Extension Council; FFA Advisory; Board; 4-H Club Leader, 8 years; Director Kansas City Division , Mid America Dairymen, Inc.; an-d member of the Executive Council, Kansas City Dairy Council. He received the Butler Chamber of Commerce’s “Man of the year” Award in 1974.
Jerry is a member of the First Christian Church, Butler, where he is a deacon and past chairman of the board.