Kermit Wendland's Tireless Dedication to San Angelo Rodeo Earns Him a Gold Spur in 2009

Selected in 2009, Kermit Wendland was the eighth recipient of the Gold Spur Award. When the Association is mentioned, it’s hard not to include Kermit in any conversation. Kermit diligently worked as a volunteer in the association’s cattle department from 1971 until becoming a staff member in March of 1988.

As a staff member Kermit has served several positions including Executive Vice President and is currently serving as Director of Operations, a title with many hats of which he wears impeccably well.

Explaining the many duties Kermit handles daily compares to explaining the “bright night glowing sky”, nearly impossible and definitely unbelievable.

Kermit’s day begins before the sun and ends well after the moon reaches it’s full potential. From locating a leak in the carnival grounds to tracking down an electrical issue, he’s on task.

For fear of leaving something unsaid, there are no words to explain the thoughtfulness and dedication of Kermit Wendland to the Association.

Past Winners

2001
Brian May

2002
Gary Hodges

2003
Richard Albert

2004
Chris Dublin

2005
Raymond Taylor, Sr.

2006
X.B. Cox, Jr.

2007
John Dublin

2008
Kermit Wendland

2009
Cynthia Wittenburg

2010
Ervin Schwartz, Jr.

2011
Matt Matthews

2012
Fred Ball

2013
No Award

2014
Jerry Bunyard

2015
Tony Churchill

2016
Beverly Gay

2017
Joe Collins

About The Gold Spur

The Gold Spur award began in 2001 and is noted for its story and history with San Angelo’s own Holland Jewelry Co. It is presented annually to an outstanding volunteer who has given of his or her time beyond the call of duty during the annual stock show and rodeo and the other events hosted by the association.

The selection committee has one of the most difficult tasks of the association. It must identify a candidate, out of nearly 1,000 people, that all share the same passion for the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. This deed is put on the shoulders of the Association’s best people. Any organizations best asset has always been its team and the Association’s team is as strong as ever in its 86th year.

Out of all the recognition given, this one earns the greatest appreciation from the peers of the award winner. It’s the Golden Spur award, and the award comes from Holland Jewelers with the reputation for “earning one’s spurs”. Dating back to 1936, with the country emerging from the difficult years of the Great Depression, Mr. Holland designed a miniature sterling silver spur tie clasp as a symbol of recognition, given to someone who had “earned his spurs.” Two of these first “spurs clips” were presented to President Franklin Roosevelt and Vice-President John Nance Garner.

The award recipient and the reputation of the Golden Spur go hand in hand. The previous winners of the award are a who’s who among San Angelo’s best. The bearer of this award is one of the best you will ever meet, and has “earned his spurs” making the organization you see today, one of the nation’s best.