2022 Show Dedication
Rick Boles
KCSSA DEDICATION Rick Boles, a 3rd generation farmer and rancher, grew up farming with his dad and brothers in Winters, Texas. He was a member of Winters FFA, the nation’s first FFA program. After high school, Rick attended and graduated from Tarleton State University and began teaching Ag Science first in Holcomb, Kansas, and then in Whitney, Texas. His passion for ag mechanics grew out of his experience in these exceptional programs. In 1980, Rick and his family moved to the Hill Country to help care for the family ranch.
He and his wife, LaVerne, a Kerr County native, became charter faculty members at Ingram Tom Moore High School. He advised and taught Agriculture Science for 17 years as a solo Ag teacher, training leadership teams and judging teams. In the early years, Mr. Boles advised livestock, dairy, and poultry teams, earning numerous local, district, and state awards and achievements at judging contests all over Texas. In 1984, Mr. Boles also helped found the West Kerr County Stock Show. Rick’s greatest passion has always been preparing students for the world of work. He invests in his students by coaching and advising them in Ag Mechanics team competitions. He led teams in building projects like gooseneck and tongue-pull utility trailers, gates, grill guards, shop tables, and truck receiver baskets. His teams competed in the San Angelo, San Antonio, and Houston Shows. His Ag Mechanics teams’ greatest success was winning the Sweepstakes Award at the San Angelo Ag Mechanics Show in 2003. That team developed two prototype metal projects that year.
After his retirement from teaching Ag for 31 years, Rick sold trailers at Back 40 Supply in Kerrville. In 2010, with the encouragement of owner Charlie Bierschwale, Rick started the first Ag Mechanics contest at the Hill Country District Junior Livestock Show. The Show has grown from 15 project entries to over 100 entries in just 10 years. Rick continues to serve as fundraising chairman. Rick has also been a member of the HCDJLS board member for more than 40 years. Ag Mechanics competition remain a passion of Rick’s-judging in San Angelo, Houston, and county shows around the state. Most important of all to Rick is Jesus Christ, serving Him as a Youth teacher for more than 30 years at Trinity Baptist Church and 16 years of Texas Baptist Men Chainsaw Disaster Relief. He is also a devoted family man, married to LaVerne for 53 years, a Proud Dad to a daughter and twin sons and a grandfather of 9 grandchildren. He is a dedicated Army Veteran of Viet Nam and receiving the Bronze Star.