Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Atkinsons ride as grand marshals

Atkinsons’ Markets have bought Carey’s prize livestock for 50 years


By TONY EVANS
Express Staff Writer

Don and Judy Atkinson have a long, rich history in Blaine County. Photo by Willy Cook

Don and Judy Atkinson are grand marshals of the 2009 Blaine County Fair this week, celebrating the history of a family with strong ties to ranching and commerce in Blaine County.

Don Atkinson arrived in Picabo, Idaho, in 1936 at the age of two. His parents, Chuck and Floss, purchased the Silver Creek store and later worked for the Kilpatrick brothers, who owned the K-K Ranch.

Chuck Atkinson helped build the Sun Valley Lodge and worked at its very first ski shop. He later ran the grain elevator in Picabo, where his son, Don, learned the ins and outs of taking care of livestock.

"During World War II, the kids did a lot of work on the ranches," recalls Don, who attended school in Carey until 11th grade. "I got involved in 4-H as soon as I could lead a steer on a rope."

Don won several grand-prize beef championships during his 4-H years.

The Atkinsons opened the first Atkinsons' Market in 1956 in the old gambling casino, The Christiana, in Ketchum. Today, the Atkinson family operates three grocery stores in the Wood River Valley.

Although the Atkinsons have called East Fork home for 45 years, Don has never lost touch with his roots. For 50 years, Don or one of his representatives has traveled to Carey for prize beef and lamb for his stores. He understands what it takes to raise and care for an animal, and how animal husbandry can lead to an education for Carey youngsters.

"4-H gives kids a sense of responsibility. They have to feed and wash and brush their animals. In the end, they can also make a good profit. For many kids, 4-H can be a ticket to college. Every year we go to Carey to bid on the prize champions to support those kids."

Don Atkinson graduated from Hailey High School in 1956 after participating on the football, basketball, track and boxing teams. He worked for longtime rancher Bud Purdy at his Picabo ranch during the summers. Don graduated from the University of Idaho with an accounting degree and completed a four-year Army ROTC program. He was commissioned as 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army and joined the 3rd Armored Division in Germany until 1959.

In 1961, he married a young lady from Los Angeles by the name of Judy, who attended UCLA. Her father owned several large ranches in the area, including Cove Springs and Spring Creek.

Don managed the Ketchum Atkinsons' Market until its expansion in 1968 and then became president of the company until he retired in 1998. The Atkinsons also built Ketchum's first cable TV system and the Christiana Motor Lodge.

Judy Atkinson was one of the founding members of The Community School, and served as president of its board and also served on The Community Library board in Ketchum.

She worked to raise funds to bring St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center to the valley and served as president of its board of directors.

The Atkinsons' three children, Chip, Whit and Tory, live in East Fork near their parents, along with five grandchildren.

"They all went away to school, but they all came back," said Don. "I have them all so close I can hit them with a baseball."

Tony Evans: tevans@mtexpress.com




 Local Weather 
Search archives:


Copyright © 2024 Express Publishing Inc.   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy
All Rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Express Publishing Inc. is prohibited. 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.