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Colonel Ralph Wade
Sulphur, Oklahoma
Ralph was born in a small farming community in Callaway County Missouri. Growing up around cattle and farming at a young age he grew a love for livestock. He attended school in New Bloomfield, a small country school with only 15 in his class. At the young age of 12 he realized he had a God given talent for the "gift of gab" which translated to an auctioneer chant. In those days, Lions Clubs and churches had mutton barbeques to raise money. After the bbq feed there was always plenty of mutton left over, it became known that Ralph was the one for the job of auctioning it off. They would feed him and he would auction. Next came the square dance clubs, they all found out that Ralph had picked up a rhythm that worked with calling square dancers.
Upon graduating from high school Ralph hauled hay for 2 cents a bale. He saved money to go to auctioneer school. That fall he boarded a Greyhound bus. On his first trip out of Missouri he landed in Mason City, Iowa. His first taste of success was when he was selected to sell first at the graduation auction of 227 students at the school.
Upon returning home to Missouri, he began selling at any type of auction he could get. Then, in 1965, a big break came his way. Ed Bruckner, the first World Champion Livestock Auctioneer, called and asked him to come work at Central Missouri Livestock Auction. The first three years found Ralph working the ring, sorting and cleaning pens. He finally got his big break and got behind the mic and became second behind Eddie. He also ran the radio and country soliciting.
In 1971 Ralph got his first taste of real competition when CMLA sent him to the World Championship in Seely, Texas. Finishing second behind Ronnie Woodward was no defeat.
In 1974 a phone call from Ray Winter landed him in Colorado where he went freelance and sold at four markets a week. He journeyed to Spokane Washington to the World's Fair to compete in the WLAC where Ralph found success in winning the coveted title of World Champion Auctioneer. In 1995, competing in the International Championship in Calgary Canada, again found success at the top.
Ralph's career was well underway selling purebred cattle, livestock auction markets, exotic animals, a turn at promotion auctions for Tri-Star Pictures and a highlight, when he auctioned off Central Missouri Livestock Market, where he got his start. Also, as the founder of North American Cattle Co., Ralph was flying his own Bonanza all over the country buying and selling cattle, trading cattle on the Mexican border and ranching and feeding cattle. All of this was highlighted by the Ralphie doll in his image designed by wife Karen.
Without a doubt, one of the most rewarding aspects of his auctioneering career was when Jim Odle called and asked Ralph to become a part of Superior Livestock auction in 1987. He still presides over 50+ auctions for them each year helping market over 1.5 million cattle each year.
In 1990, George Hall of Oklahoma Stockyards gave Ralph a call and asked him to become the lead auctioneer for them where Ralph helped market cattle for 17 years.
"There are many other journeys along the way, some successful, some not so much, to a career spanning over 65 years and still counting. The most rewarding of all is the opportunity to work with other auctioneers and helping them reach their success and giving back from what the Lord has blessed me with.
My talent for life is not about the journey but the DESTINATION!" - Col. Ralph Wade