Jerry J. Louis, Sr.
Year Inducted: 2007
44 Ranch | Kaua'i
Jerry founded his own ranch in 1962 and has been both manager and ranch hand there ever since. He put together a mother cow herd on 300 acres, which he has meticulously maintained through grazing rotation, control of noxious weeds and keeping his fences and water systems in excellent condition. His good stewardship is visible in the top grade calves that he produces.
Those who work with him say that Jerry is very particular about how his cattle are handled. He is very gentle with the animals, and moves them by call. They say that if he wanted them to, they would follow him to town.
Jerry is known as quite a hand on horseback and has made his mark at many a rodeo. He has claimed the title of All Around Cowboy on Kaua`i.
He has been an active member of the Kaua`i Cattlemen’s Association, serving as chair of the membership, brand and theft committees.
Jerry’s skills aren’t limited to working cattle. He is a very skilled welder and can fabricate almost anything, big or small. He is overseeing the welding fabrication stage of the cattle loading ramp at the Kaua`i Cattlemen’s Association’s cattle staging facility. This infrastructure has become a very important key to the survival of the cattle industry on Kaua`i.
While running his own ranch, Jerry also worked for McBryde Plantation, from which he is now retired. But he remains a working paniolo on his 44 ranch, which he decided to call it after he had worked it for 44 years. He will probably still be out working it, when it becomes the 54 ranch.