South County Profile: Vic Woolery

Vic Woolery

Vic Woolery was born and raised in Shasta County. He attended Anderson Union High School and then went on to college earning his bachelor's degree in agriculture at Chico State University then continued on to the University of California at Davis to get his teaching credentials.

Woolery spent three years teaching agriculture classes at Los Molinos High School then left his job to come back to Shasta County to help run the family business, Woolery Livestock Transportation.

Woolery spent 30 years working with the family business before he began working at the Branding Iron at the Cottonwood Livestock Auction Yard. He is now there seven days a week, eight hours a day.

Woolery has been working on the Shasta District Fair Board for three years. He is currently president. of the board.

During the fair, Woolery works in the livestock area helping to keep things running smoothly and helping Missy Lockie-Edwards do paperwork. He spends approximately 50 hours at the fair grounds during fair week. Since 1984, Woolery has taken a week off of work each year to spend time working with Junior Livestock and the youth of Shasta County to make sure each year is a positive experience for them.

Woolery showed steers at the fair in 1958 and 1959.

"It is a good experience for the kids, socially; working with the animals; training; feeding and all the other things that go along with it. My favorite part is being able to deal with the kids," stated Woolery.

When Woolery is not spending time at the Branding Iron or working at the fair, he can be found barbecuing at different events in the local communities.

Woolery is thankful for community support during the Shasta District Fair.

"The kids have the opportunity to build a nest egg from selling their projects at the fair. It takes a huge amount of community support to make a successful livestock sale. This year there are 400 animals," said Woolery.

He is a 1963 graduate of Anderson High School and has been married to his wife, Jeanette, for 44 years. The two have three children and five grandchildren.

Name: Vic Woolery.

Born where and when: Redding, 1945.

Occupation: Manager of Vic's Branding Iron Restaurant.

Marital Status: Married to my wife, Jeannette, for 44 years.

Family: Children: Ed, Cathy and Wendy. Grandchildren: Sam, Brian, John, Stephen and Nick.

Pets: None, since my Irish Setter Dakota died.

My worst job: I've never had a worst job.

My first job: Feeding hay at the Red Bluff Auction Yard in 1959.

In my spare time I: I never have any spare time.

My favorite book: The Big Sky by A.B. Guthrie Jr.

My favorite movie: Paint Your Wagon with Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin.

My favorite recording artist: Ian Tyson.

My dream car: A Mini Cooper. It is an English Car.

My friends like me because: They can count on me.

If stranded on a deserted island, I would want: A boat.

The one thing in life I've learned is: Don't stand on the sidelines and watch. Get involved and do your part. Enjoy what ever you are doing.

The best advice my parents gave me: Work hard and hold up my end.

My most embarrassing moment: There are too many to talk about.

My most irrational act: Quitting teaching after only three years.

My most valued material possession: My barbecue.

What I like best about the North State: The people.

My hero is: My uncle, Floyd Mulkey, and my dad, Vic Woolery.

My pet peeve is: People who are only interested in themselves and give no thought to the good of the group.

My fantasy is: to lose 20 pounds.

If I could change one thing about myself, I would: Be more excepting of other people as they are.

The one thing Shasta County need most is: More opportunities for young people.

The most enjoyable thing about life is: Living life and enjoying what you do.