SA Rodeo Names 2013 Hall of Fame Inductees

November 16, 2012 Off By Roberta Johnston

The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is proud to announce the 2013 Inductees into the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Hall of Fame. These three outstanding volunteers have given their time and dedication to the Show since the early 1980’s. These individuals will be highlighted in ceremonies held on Thursday, January 10, 2013 at the Expo Hall on the Freeman Coliseum/AT&T Center Grounds.

Jackie Van De Walle

Jackie Van De Walle began as a volunteer for the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo in the early 1980’s. She has served in many different roles, devoting countless hours of time to promoting the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and its mission as “a volunteer organization that emphasizes agriculture and education to develop the youth of Texas.” She has also been a top buyer in the Junior Livestock Auction.

Jackie became a Life Member of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo in 1984 and a Director in 1986. She began her work with the Ambassador Committee in 1985 and served as its Vice-Chairman from 1987 to 1988 and Chairman from 1988 to 2005. Jackie was an Assistant Vice-President of S.A.L.E. from 2005 to 2012, became a Lifetime Assistant Vice-President in 2012, and currently serves on the newly-formed San Antonio Livestock Exposition Educational Fund Board. Her enthusiasm and energy are often unmatched and she doesn’t seem to have the words “no” or “can’t” in her vocabulary. Known for her ability to multi-task, she also participated on the Auction, Souvenir and Raffle Committees.

One of Jackie’s most significant contributions was assisting in the 1999 Saddles and Spurs Campaign. Jackie devoted hours of personal time contacting businesses and individuals to help them understand the importance of passing the bonds necessary to build the SBC Center (now named the AT&T Center) as a new home not only for the San Antonio Spurs, but also for the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Her pitch was “more seats, more scholarships!” Jackie continues to be an advocate for S.A.L.E. through speaking engagements and supporting S.A.L.E.’s various fundraising activities. Jackie was married to John Thomas Haas until his death in November, 1977. Jackie and John had one son, Jason Haas. Jason is married to Andrea Lyons Haas and they have one son, (Jackie’s grandson) Jacob Taylor Haas. They live in Bandera, Texas. Jackie was remarried in 1981 to Bob Dreher. Bob has one daughter, Wendy Webster Bliss. Bob and Jackie reside in San Antonio, Texas.

Richard M. “Tres” Kleberg III

Richard M. “Tres” Kleberg III is a native of Kingsville, Texas, and has been serving and volunteering for the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo since the early 1970’s. “Tres” became a Life Member in 1972 and Director in 1973.

“Tres” served on the Executive Committee as Vice-President from 1994 to 1997, from 1999-2003, and again from 2010-2012. He was President from 1997 to 1999 and Chairman of the Board from 2003 to 2010. In 2005, during his tenure as the fifth Chairman of the Board, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo received the first of seven consecutive PRCA Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year awards. In addition to leadership roles with S.A.L.E., he also served on the Auction, Calf Scramble, Executive and Past Presidents Committees. Tres is currently Chairman of the Past Presidents Committee.

His involvement during the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo’s transition from the Freeman Coliseum to the SBC Center (now formally known as the AT&T Center) was invaluable. He has been instrumental in engaging our rodeo contestants and soliciting their feedback to improve our rodeo and has prompted a deeper relationship between S.A.L.E. and San Antonio’s military community.

“Tres” is married to Olive Anne Musgrave Kleberg and they have three Children: Anne Marie Kleberg Bailey, Christina Kleberg Jonker and Richard M. “Cardo” Kleberg, IV and eight grandchildren. He has served for many years as a Director of Frost Bank and is a member of numerous civic and charitable organizations. Tres is currently serving as a board member of Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. and as a trustee of Trinity University. Tres is also the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for the Texas (South). He is a recipient of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Freeman Award and an inductee into the San Antonio Business Hall of Fame.

Danny R. Adams

Danny Adams began his involvement with the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, Inc. in the late 1980’s. He became a Life Member of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo in 1989, a Director in 1993 and an Assistant Vice President in 2005. Danny served S.A.L.E. in many different capacities until he succumbed to illness on May 6, 2012.

Danny was the Chairman of the Fall Fest Committee from 1996 to 2005. Throughout his volunteer years at S.A.L.E., Danny was able to serve alongside his father, Dan, on the Horse Show Committee and his brother and sister, Dawn and Charles respectively, on the Horse Show and Fall Fest Committees. In 1998, Danny accepted the challenge of starting the Mutton Bustin’ event at the Rodeo. Danny is also credited with helping to organize the early Horse Shows and being an early champion of the Trailblazers Committee, but his greatest contribution might have been the work he did beginning in 1995 with his wife Tracy L. Adams in starting the Rodeo Contestant Hospitality Committee.

The purpose of the Rodeo Contestant Hospitality Committee includes doing whatever it takes to ensure Rodeo contestants and their immediate families are welcomed to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and are provided with whatever is needed to make their stay here as comfortable and memorable as possible, including transportation assistance, meals, a place to relax and a Contestant Autograph Session where they can interact with their fans. Under Danny’s leadership, the contestant hospitality room grew from a small room in the corner of one of the cattle barns to its current home of almost 3,000 square feet that can accommodate more contestants and their families.

Danny’s wife, Tracy, and children Justin and Holly, have been active members of S.A.L.E. for many years, serving alongside Danny on the Fall Fest Committee and on the Rodeo Contestant Hospitality Committee. Justin became a life member in 1996 and Holly followed shortly in 2000. Tracy became a life member in 1997 and was elected as a Director in 2002 before going on to become Chairman of the Rodeo Contestant Hospitality Committee in 2005. Tracy is the still chairing this committee and Justin and Holly remain involved as well.

Please join the S.A.L.E. family in congratulating these three outstanding examples of integrity and giving. Their biographies and photos will be amongst many distinguished individuals on the walls of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is open for visitation during the 64th annual San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo February 7-24, 2013.