Each year, the Fourth of July Parade celebrates a local individual or individuals who represent the heart of the community.  This year, that honor goes to the proprietors of Malad’s downtown landmark the Dude Ranch, Gary and Sherma Shepherd.

Gary was born in Malad, and went to school here while working for his parents at the Dude Ranch, which they opened on July 3, 1945, just in time for that year’s Fourth celebration. After high school, Gary decided to attend trade school for training as an electrician in Pocatello.  While working there at a service station, he met his wife Sherma, who grew up in a house on Pocatello Creek. In 1969, the couple was married, and moved permanently to Malad.  In 1978, they purchased the Dude Ranch and have been running it ever since.

In that time, Gary and Sherma have seen a lot of changes come to the valley, and especially to Main Street where the Dude has served as a strong anchor to the community’s downtown area.  They reminisced about all the businesses that have come and gone over that time, including Jack’s Books, Ernest’s barbershop, the Star Theatre, Tommy’s Lunch, Davis Shoe repair, and many others.

The business of running a restaurant has also changed over the intervening years, and even more so in the last several.  The Dude Ranch is an iconic fixture of Malad city, so much so that many times people visit town from far flung areas just to eat there.  People who were raised here and moved elsewhere often make a specific point of stopping in “for lunch at the Dude” while visiting for Memorial Day, the Fourth, Graduation, and other town events.  “Out of towners are definitely important to us—if it weren’t for them we’d have a much harder time,” Gary says.  Locals, passersby, and those who return to the Dude Ranch when passing through all love its carefully prepared, high quality meals, with most having a go-to favorite.

Despite all the changes, some things have remained consistent, like the importance of the Fourth of July parade and events.  Gary, who has been with the Fire Department since 1981, remembers lighting off fireworks at the school before safety regulations changed where they could be deployed from.  “We’ve scared an awful lot of dogs in our time,” he laughs.  “But we always put on a great show for the money we have.  Even on years when it's cold—and we’ve had a few cold ones, I remember it snowed one year—we still do it.”  This year, as has been the case for many years, the fireworks will be set off from the Fairgrounds, including, as Gary was happy to mention, a 16” shell.

Gary and Sherma are the parents of three daughters, Lisa, Chan, and Nicole; four grandkids, Shaylise (Shay), Taleesha (Teesh), Sadie, and Ryan; and three great-grandkids to date, Noah, Riley, and Lydia.

The Fourth of July Grand Marshal is an important part of the parade, designed to highlight those who have gone above and beyond in making the city what it is.  Mayor Joan Hawkins stated that “We felt the Dude Ranch has been an essential fixture of Malad for many years.  We appreciate Gary and Sherma not only for keeping the Dude Ranch open, but also for their community service.  When my kids are planning to come visit, their first question is always ‘is the Dude Ranch open?’”

The question is one familiar to anyone in town with visitors on their way, and one that will hopefully always be answered in the affirmative!