The 2011 McCleary Bear Festival Grand Marshal & Dignitaries represent the history that is so important to the McCleary Bear Festival & the City of McCleary.

2011 Grand Marshal
Phil McCully

2011 Grand Marshal Phil McCully

We would like to nominate our father, Phil McCully, to be the Grand Marshal of the 2011 Bear Festival.


Dad will turn 91 years old on July 15th. He has lived in McCleary for 66 years, moving here after serving in WWII. He is a Pearl Harbor survivor, having served in the Marine Corp on the USS Enterprise


He has been a very active participate in McCleary's past. Some of the activities he has participated in are:

  • Member of the original bear festival committee
  • Cub Scout and boy Scout leader
  • City Council Member
  • Mark Reed Hospital Board member
  • McCleary School Board memeber
  • Ambulance Driver (Ambulance was owned by Simpson Timber Co)
  • Held several VFW officer roles
  • Active member and help construct the historic Methodist Church

In his younger years he volunteered many hours to the Bear Festival. He cooked many pots of Bear Stew and would never "share" the secret recipe. In 1971, his son Mac shot a bear for the stew, his daughter Sharla was the Bear Festival Queen, and he was the chef. It was a real family affair.


Dad worked for Simpson Timber Company from the time he moved into town until his retirement in the early 80's, working his way up to Superintendent of Production. Many "young" people credit dad with giving them their opportunity by hiring them into the mill. Many of them have since retired


In the past we celebrated many of Dad's birthdays during the Bear Festival. Honoring Dad as Grand Marshal would be a memorable way to celebrate his upcoming 91st birthday.


Thank you for your consideration,
Sincerely,

Mac McCully, Steve McCully, Sharla McCully Mauhar, Laurie McCully, and Shelley McCully Little

2011 Dignitaries Grovers & Frances Prowse - nominated by son Darrell:

grover and francis prowse I would like to nominate as this year's Grand Marshall Grover and Frances Prowse. Grover came to McCleary in 1937 when his father came to work for Henry McCleary in his mill during the depression. Grover attended McCleary Grade School and also worked for Henry McCleary at the mill. He entered the US Army in Feb of 1942 two months after Pearl Harbor. Corporal Prowse served during WWII as a medical aid man at the Hospital at Fort McArthur, in San Pedro CA where he met and married his war bride Frances. Both are members of the Greatest Generation. They moved back to McCleary after the war. Grover returned to work at the mill and eventually retired from Simpson. They still live in the first house they owned on "Arkansas Hill". In the 1960's their home was honored as the most improved in the town. Grover also volunteered and retired from the McCleary Fire Department. Grover was the one who set off the Bear Festival Fireworks over the park during the early years of the Bear Festival. Grover played baseball prior to the war, was on the Fort MacArthur baseball team, played in the McCleary city team, and volunteered for youth baseball for years. Frances has been a long time community activist. She volunteered at the McCleary Hospital, the McCleary PTA, and was a member of the McCleary School Board. When voting was done in person, Frances volunteered at the McCleary VFW on election day. Even now, Frances volunteers at the McCleary Food Bank where she is a board member. Every week she's there to assist in handing out food without question to those in need. They have both done their best to make McCleary a safe and desirable place to live.

2011 Dignitary Jeff Geer - nominated by Terri Geer Goveia Jeff's sister.

Jeff attended McCleary Elementary K-8. He even got the Outstanding Leader award from Mr. Dent, no small accomplishment! As an adult, Jeff gives his time and effort to numerous community activities. Jeff has been a volunteer fireman and truly gives his heart and soul to this important community organization. Jeff serves on the city council, he has helped out with Bear Festival, cooking stew and organizing the softball tournament. While the rest of his siblings moved away from the area, Jeff has remained in McCleary. He is always there to help anyone who needs it. I am so proud of the man my brother has grown up to be.