Gary Zabokrtsky
Gary “Mitch” Zabokrtsky received the 4-H Alumni award on Nov. 19 for his financial assistance and support of the youth and 4-H programs in Washington County.
He joined 4-H in 1948. At that time, you had to be 10 years old to become a member. He and a couple of his siblings belonged to the Prairie Home 4-H Club at Hollenberg. Mitch’s first project was a Hampshire sow and her litter of pigs. His memory of his first fair was that he got to spend the night. What was so exciting about that was that his pigs got out and took a tour of the Midway before being rounded up and returned to their pen.
That was the only year he belonged to a 4-H club in Kansas. His family moved to Steele City that December and he and siblings joined a rural Diller club.
He taught at Washington Grade School from 1959-1960. Then he went off to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., for basic training in the U.S. Army. He taught several places after his military service and retired from teaching in 1993 after 36 years.
He has provided financial support to the Washington County 4-H Council for many years. His generous donations have helped to provide scholarships for camp, Discovery Days, Regional Leadership Forum and other activities. His donations also help pay for enrollment fees, member record books and a scholarship to all graduating seniors.
