Amidst the festive atmosphere of the Stockyards City Cowboy Christmas Parade, Oklahoma Farm Reports’ Maci Carter had the chance to visit with Parade Marshal, Pake McEntire. A member of the legendary McEntire clan, Pake McEntire is as synonymous with Oklahoma agriculture and rodeo as the Stockyards themselves.
While the McEntire name is globally recognized for music, Pake made it clear that his heart belongs to the land and the livestock of southeastern Oklahoma.
Deep Roots in Oklahoma Soil
“I’ve been in every state in the United States, and there’s no place I’d rather be than right here in Oklahoma,” McEntire told Carter.
For McEntire, the Stockyards are more than just a parade route; they are a part of his personal history. He recalled dining at the Cattlemen’s Steakhouse as far back as the 1970s, a tradition that has spanned decades of family gatherings.
Currently, McEntire resides near Coalgate, operating a cattle business that spans Coal, Atoka, and Pittsburg counties. “This is my 57th year in the stocker steer yearling cattle business,” he noted. He reflected on the drastic changes in the industry over that half-century, contrasting the markets of 1974—where cattle delivered from Florida cost $38 a head—to the record highs producers are seeing today.
A Unique Musical Education
While ranching pays the bills, music remains a beloved hobby. McEntire shared a fascinating piece of Oklahoma music history regarding his time at Kiowa High School.
Unlike most schools that fielded a marching brass band, Kiowa had a specific “country music band class.” The class, which met one hour every day, included Pake, his sisters Reba and Susie, and classmates like Roger Wills—who has now played with Alan Jackson for over 36 years.
“We even got a grade on our report card,” McEntire laughed. However, he expressed regret that the program was discontinued after their graduation. “I hated to see them shut it down… You don’t shut a basketball team down just because you won state one year and you don’t win it the next.”
Today, McEntire still plays the fiddle and sings, viewing it as a way to “stay out in the public and have a good time” rather than a grueling industry job.
The Rodeo Legacy: From Pendleton to the Hall of Fame
McEntire also opened up about his family’s storied history in the rodeo arena, specifically regarding the prestigious Pendleton Round-Up in Oregon. The tradition began with his grandfather competing there in 1931, followed by his father, who won the All-Around in 1947.
Pake etched his own name into the history books in 1984, winning the steer roping at Pendleton the very same year his father was inducted into the Hall of Fame. “I actually won a trophy with his picture on it,” McEntire recalled.
He drew a direct parallel between the arena and real life, noting that rodeo taught him resilience. “It’s about competition, hard work, dedication… and getting out there and starving with the rest of the cowboys.”
A Christmas Message for Oklahoma Families
As the interview concluded, the conversation turned to family values. McEntire expressed immense pride in how he and his siblings—Reba, Susie, and Alice—handled their parents’ estate.
“Me and Alice and Reba and Susie settled that estate without even a disagreement,” he said. “We’re very proud of that.”
His holiday message to Oklahomans was simple but poignant: cherish the time you have.
“Stay close, stay warm, keep your family close,” McEntire advised. “Spend every day with your mom and dad that you can. Because someday they won’t be around.”
