Fair holds tribute to ‘Dr. Jack’

• What: Clark County Fair.

• Hours today: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

• Where: 17402 N.E. Delfel Road.

• Admission: Adults, $10; seniors 62 and older, $8; kids 7-12, $7; kids 6 and younger, free. Parking, $6; C-Tran shuttle, $2 per person round trip from area park-and-ride lots; children 6 and younger ride free. $1 discount on admission with a bus fare stub.

• Carnival: Opens at noon; unlimited rides today, $30.

• 99.5 The Wolf Grandstands: Monster trucks, 2 and 6:30 p.m.

• Other highlights: The Black Pearl Friesian Dance Troupe, 1 and 7 p.m.; Toddler Trot Contest, 1 p.m.

• Pets: Not permitted, except for personal service animals or those on exhibition or in competition.

• More information: http://clarkcofair.com or 360-397-6180.

• Online: View The Columbian’s mobile website for the Clark County Fair at: http://columbian.com/fair-mobile

“He’s probably up there, doing vet checks on all the pets who are up in heaven,” Clark County Fair manager John Morrison told the crowd, many of whom wiped away tears.

4-H president Stephanie Hope said there was no way she could summarize the good Giesy had done for the youth club in her allotted two minutes. She said one of his best attributes was, when a child had a question, Giesy would pause, look at them, and ask, “What do you think?”

“Dr. Jack touched their hearts and lives,” Hope said.

On the memorial board posted to one wall in the arena, that showed. A boy named Spencer penned, “I always loved having you around,” in a small child’s handwriting. Another, signed “Suz,” said, “I can’t even imagine having a horse without you around.”

Fair Board President Sharon Crouch said she took a poll of people’s one-word memories of Giesy. Among them were: encourager, friend, coach, confidant, fun, humble, warm-hearted and smiling.

“He took his duties seriously, but he didn’t take himself seriously,” Crouch said.

4-H leaders then handed out the coveted Jack Giesy Golden Horseshoe awards to this year’s most accomplished junior, intermediate and senior participants in the horse division. Accepting the gold buckle engraved with Giesy’s name was made bittersweet for the three champions.

After the memorial, Ann Jones, the eldest of Giesy’s five children with his wife, Dorothy Ann, accepted hugs from friends and family.

“He did all this because he loved it,” Jones said. “The one thing he kept saying before he died was, ‘I really appreciate the community and all the support they have given me and my family.’ “

Andrea Damewood: 360-735-4542; http://twitter.com/col_cityhall; andrea.damewood@columbian.com.