Thomas
C Pedroli (1913- )
Tom was born in Winnemucca, Nevada in 1913. He was one of seven
children born to Peter and Sibbali Pedroli. Tom, his sisters, Rena
Risi and Veronica Bois are the three left in his family. He attended
Winnemucca Grammar School and Humboldt County High School.
His love of horses is in his memories of his early years. When around
age six he rode a white mare during the Fourth of July Winnemucca
Rodeo Parade. He remembers the rodeo grounds in four different locations.
First on East Second Street where they had a baseball park, then
behind the Humboldt County School Administration building formally
Humboldt County High School building, then at the end of the cemetery
about where Jerry’s Restaurant is located. This was the rodeo ground
for many years; it was built around 1930. During his growing up
years Tom was involved in Rodeos, racing and roping. He was always
involved in the McDermitt Rodeo’s participating and helping. Horses
have always played an important part in his life.
Growing up he visited and worked on many ranches during the summer
months, especially in the Jackson Mountain area ranches such as
DeLong, Deer Creek, Pine Forest and Capelli’s. He rode for Miller
and Lux under the Cowboss Harry Wilson. During his school days he
worked for his brother Pete at the Winnemucca Market Spot, cutting
meat. Not liking town life he left after graduation, to work haying
and riding.
On July 13, 1932 he stopped at the Nouque Ranch in McDermitt and
got a job. This led to 62 years at the Nouque Ranch and a partnership
with John Nouque. In 1993 Tom married Honorine Bengoa, and had 4
stepchildren, Margarita and Tim DeLong, Kathy and Frank Bengoa and
four grandchildren; Timmy Lyn and Rita Delong, Colleen and Ross
Bengoa.
After horses Tom loves sports and the kids involved. He was the
score and timekeeper at McDermitt Combined School for 27 years.
He retired in 1987 having missed only one game. He served the State
of Oregon as Brand Inspector until 1982, 44 years in all. His life
was happy and full. Horses, ranch work family and friends all made
it great. At the time of this writing, Tom still lives and works
on the ranch out of McDermitt, Nevada with his partner John Nouque.
Tom was inducted into the Buckaroo Hall of Fame in September 1999.
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