June 28, 1932 – October 27, 2012
Berry Blake Bequin was a cowboy from the moment he entered this world. He was born on the Bequin ranch twenty miles south of Rushville, Nebraska on June 28, 1932. He grew up on the ranch as the oldest of four ornery brothers. Blake loved ranching and the country way of life and had a great appreciation for the great outdoors.
Blake rode a horse to a one room country school through eighth grade. He then attended Rushville High School where he was an athlete, playing several sports. Following graduation he worked on the family ranch.
On September 9, 1952 Blake married Mary Jean Arthur also of Rushville. To this union two children were born. Theresa Lynn and Gary Klint. His son, Klint, died suddenly at the age of eight due to acute meningitis.
In March of 1953 Blake was called to serve his country. He served in the Army from March 1953 until March of 1955. He was stationed in Japan. Blake was proud that he had served his country and was an active member of the American Legion Post 161 for 59 years, He served as Sergeant-At-Arms for the Legion color guard for over twenty years.
Upon leaving the service he returned to the family ranch and ran it with his father and brother. He worked there until the family ranch was sold. Then he worked for his aunt Hallie Jackson and her on her family ranch. When his daughter Terry opened her veterinary clinic, he helped out there wherever he could. He enjoyed going on country calls and visiting with all the different clients who came into the clinic. He also worked at Sheridan Livestock.
He loved rodeos whether he was competing, judging or mentoring aspiring cowboys. When he was younger, he rode rough stock. Blake and his brother Blayne not only ran the ranch together but they were renowned team ropers, known as the Bequin Boys. They hit every jackpot rodeo in the area continuing to compete in the old timer’s rodeos.
Blake enjoyed all outside activities. He was the happiest when he was on horseback doing something Blake was always well mounted on a horse he had trained himself. Later on, he was proud to watch his daughter Terry carry on the tradition of rodeoing in high school and college. During his final years he proudly watched his granddaughter Charmayne in Junior Little Britches and High School rodeos.
Blake loved hunting and fishing and the great outdoors. He would drive along the creek hunting pheasants, ducks, deer and coyotes. He had a pack of coyote hounds and loved to go hunting. He helped a lot of deer hunters guiding them through the rough hills of the ranch.
Until the day he died, Blake Bequin, was the embodiment of a true cowboy, whether it was the cowboy who ranched, worked cattle and broke horses or the rodeo cowboy who loved the competition in the arena. If you ask anyone who knew him what comes to mind when they think of Blake, they will say a husband, a father, a grandpa and a COWBOY.