Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame Inducts Chuck Plymale at Great Falls Ceremony
 | Author:
Nancy Marks
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame Inducts Chuck Plymale at Great Falls Ceremony Nancy Marks Broadwater County rancher, Chuck Plymale, was inducted into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame in a ceremony on Saturday at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls. Chuck was among eleven men who received the honor.
Chuck has ranched all his life on his family’s place on Duck Creek east of Canyon Ferry Lake. His family came to the area in 1899 to begin a cattle and sheep ranch. He learned the trade from his Uncle Hubert Plymale, who taught him how to break horses and tend to cattle.
He purchased his first cattle herd (two cows) which he used for his 4-H project at age thirteen. He worked on the ranch for $3 a day and paid his folks $3 a month to pasture his animals. His 4-H experiences served him well when he was involved again in helping his children in 4-H.
Chuck graduated from Broadwater County High School in 1961 after playing football for four years on a state championship-winning team. He graduated from Montana State University with a degree in range management. At college, he was involved with the rodeo club and the wool judging team. He served in the United States Army Reserve as a medic.
Chuck has served his community in many different roles. He was involved in the construction of the Broadwater County rodeo grounds where he now helps maintain the chutes. He is a forty-year member of the Broadwater County Rural Fire Dept serving as a battalion chief for ten years.
He now serves as president of Broadwater County Farm Bureau and has been a deputy brand inspector for forty years.
He served as a School Board member for twenty years. During that time he was able to present his children Francie, Jennifer, David, Suzanne and Carrie with their high school diplomas.
Chuck and his wife, Carole, continue to actively run the ranch and take care of grandchildren.
Asked what he thought of the ceremony and whether it would change his future, Chuck said “There are a lot of great cowboys out there. I was glad to be included with them. I was so glad all my family could be there. But, no, it won’t change anything for me, like retiring. I’ll just keep on doing what I’m doing.”
Article Images
Click on Image Thumbnail(s) to view fullsize image
PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks
Image 1 Caption: Chuck Plymale
