I happened to stumble upon this hanging on the wall of an old ranch house. I was at a loss for words. For anyone who knows who this is, you will understand.

Sorry the picture didn't turn out very clear, it was taken with a phone. The info reads Herbert Lee Kokernot - Doctor of Agriculture - May 26, 1944.





[This message has been edited by mellison (edited 7/18/2009 11:09a).]

Fyi, Kokernot Field is once again home to the Cowboys baseball team.

http://www.bigbendcowboys.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=5&Itemid=3

Great story! Thanks for sharing.

Being a Panhandle guy, I really didn't know...here's a link for other ignorant people like me:

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1068638/1/index.htm

CanyonAg .... Another great story about minor league baseball in a West Texas town in the 40s.

My little piece of West Texas was not as fortunate as Alpine but I was a fan of Class D baseball and even oil company sponsored semipro baseball in West Texas in those post WWII years.

I was aware of the goings on at Alpine in those days but never had an opportunity to see it. Interesting article ... thanks for sharing.

Great read. Thanks.

I did not know any of the Kokernots were Aggies. His daughter and my mother grew up together in Alpine. In fact, his daughter, Mary Ann Lacy, is my brother's god-mother.

For you Waco Aggies, she is married to Lawrence Lacy. Lacy-Lakeview and many other Lacy ventures in Waco.

The Kokernot ranch, the 06 Ranch, is not talked about very much. But it is a huge and historic ranch in the Alpine/Ft. Davis area.

Howdy West Tejas Ags,

A Cen Tex Ag here,...just read this thread yesterday.

I grew up in waYco with one of the daughters of Mary Ann and Lawrence Lacy. That, and the daughter had a best friend who was a neighbor, Mrs M. is her name...she has been teaching school in Alpine for over 25 years.

Mrs. M was just in town for Mr. Lacy's 90th Birthday party.

I've known these ladies for many years, since we were all in grade school together.

Mrs. Mary Ann Lacy, was one of the nicest parents I can ever remember. Ditto for Mr. Lacy,...as kids we played at their house, jumped on the trampoline...

On another note, Mrs. M and Mr. M, were hosts this summer to five baseball players of the Big Bend Cowboys. I spoke with Mr. M yesterday, it was the last home game of the season, and they were all headed to Kokernot Field for the finale. The Cowboys will make the playoffs, but will prob play on the road as they finished about 4 games out of first place in the Continental League.

I have been out to Alpine for visits a few times, and always went by Kokernot Field just to take a look. It is about a cool ballpark as there is,...

Every since we all were kids, we heard of the 06 Ranch. The daughter, I call her G. Lacy,...used to go there every summer when we were kids. Mrs. M went also...

Chris Lacy is the brother who runs the ranch, son of Mary Ann and Lawrence. He is mentioned in that Sports Illus article from 1989. I think I recall he played football for TCU.

From what I have read about 06 Ranch, it is still the largest working cattle ranch in North America.

I spoke w/ Mrs. M yesterday also, she confirmed what was in the article. Mr. Herb took care of his players. She said some made more money playing in Alpine than they would have in the Major Leagues. She also knew of the stories of the players that played there,... Norm Cash, Gaylord Perry, Jim Fregosi.

Throughout all these years, I never knew Mr. Herb was a Former Student. I know there is a Kokernot Hall on the Baylor campus, but I guess I never asked enough questions back then.

thanks for the stories here, as I did enjoy the 1989 SI article, as I know it is true

88, I bet we were at some of the same birthday parties at the Lacy's house in the early to mid 60s.

Yes, Chris did play at TCU.

Sounds like Mary Ann is still alive. Good to know. My mom died several years ago so we lost touch with her. Golda is my age, I believe, so you and I must be close in age.

Howdy SW

yes, it sounds like we probabaly were there. I am same age as Golda, and was in same grade with her and Marian.

M is in Alpine. Her and Mr. M are coming to town Labor Day to visit with Golda's family

Small world, aint it ?

BTW, even tho I am 88, I shoulda been a 79 or an 80 like you.

Sorry to hear of your mom. I came back here 4 years ago to help take care of my mom, she passed last year.

I didn't see Marian or Golda for like 25 years until Marian contacted me through a mutual friend in 2004, I think it was. Golda hosted a small party, got to see several people I knew from elementary school & junior hi school.

I will be moving from here very soon, to be closer to my work. Still will be in Cen Tex tho.

Have a good day SW, perhaps will visit again,...

When I told Marian about this thread, I mentioned I hadn't posted a reply, she said I should,....so I did...

petey, I was in Alpine last week. Brought back good memories. Was telling my wife about the 06 Ranch. Drove by Kokernot Field.