Ennis resident Johnny France will be the Grand Marshall for the Ennis Fourth of July Parade. Photo by Kurtis Koenig
Johnny France, the 2010 Fourth of July Parade Marshal, is a man of many parts.
Not only does France’s history include being a rodeo star, officer of the peace, cowboy and local hero, but sharing a peaceful cup of coffee with him also provoked in me a sense of awe and wonder. France is a living reminder of the quintessential American cowboy and a part of a dream and a mystique long out of colloquial popularity and drifting toward obscurity.
Our conversation, lubricated by some strong coffee, led in directions I have not often pondered. Sitting before me was a man hardened by the winds of the west, softened by the love of a woman and tempered in the fires of feast, famine and everything in between.
“What I’m giving you here,” he said, “is a few ideas. It’s not necessarily about what I say, but what you can do with it.”
Ideas, advice, theories to live a just life were the talking points in our conversation. My prodding and poking into the details of his life yielded an alarmingly bright and disarmingly boyish glimmer in his eyes, a shoulder shrug, a contagious laugh, but few details.
France did speak of his wife and children with tenderness and pride. Shortly after he graduated from Harrison High School in 1959, France Married Sue Maynard, a local girl and Ennis High School alumni.
“Meeting and marrying my wife,” he said, “is the greatest memory I have.”
The couple recently celebrated their 50th anniversary.
The Fance’s started from humble beginnings.
“When we were first married, we didn’t have two nickels to rub together, since then I’ve spent one of those nickels I guess,” he said, “We couldn’t even take a honeymoon.”
During these lean times, France entertained the role of the American cowboy. For his daily bread he punched cattle and broke mustangs. When the occasion allowed, France rode bareback in the Montana Rodeo Association.
France’s rodeo career produced several accolades.
One of his fondest memories was when he earned a “top six” at the Ennis rodeo. He was also a champion bareback rider.
“I was a contestant of the rodeo for 10-15 years,” he said, “A lot of times I would watch the parade as a part of my entry fee.”
According to France, he has seen more than 50 Ennis Fourth of July parades.
With true cowboy humility, France offered few specifics about his life as a bronc stomper. Instead he hit me with his classic grin, which seemed reminiscent of the hero riding into the sunset, task completed.
However, France did display a great deal of pride as he reflected on his book, “Incident at Big Sky,” which he co-authored with Malcolm McConnell. The book tells the true story of France’s dramatic, single-handed capture of the infamous Mountain Men, published in 1986. A movie was later filmed titled, “The Abduction of Kari Swenson.”
In 1971 France took a job as a county deputy sheriff. His fondness of wearing the badge was manifest.
“When you put a badge on you are saying ‘I am dedicated, even to put my own life before the citizenry,’” he said. “This was the code of the West.”
A code France lived, and modeled, for 15 years.
France loved his job as a peace officer and took very seriously the words emblazoned on the side of every patrol vehicle, “protect and serve.”
France protected and served the people of Madison County as the County Sheriff from 1980 to 1986.
“We were the front line between the law and the citizenry,” he said. “And I always tried to be as good a guy as I could.”
Tragedy struck France in 2003 when his head came into contact with the business end of a horse hoof.
“When I was injured they said I wouldn’t live,” he said.
France suffered a cerebral hematoma, which required that his skull be tapped in two locations.
France’s reaction to the doctors’ prognoses was predictably wry.
“When I went ahead and lived, they said I wouldn’t walk or talk. I don’t do those things very well,” he said through the sheepish creases of his cowboy grin, “but it’s better than the alternative.”
France’s story mirrors cowboy tales about characters with names like Shane, Reid and Gene. Admittedly, France is no former gunman like Shane, or masked ranger like Reid. He didn’t create the “cowboy code” like Gene Autry; instead he has lived by the romantic ideals championed by cowboys, the architects of the west, who are no longer found on the range, but may only be revered and remembered on the television screen.
As a cowboy, a lawman and a human being, France reminds us that the values of the cowboy are still present, and need only to be acted upon.
“I am honored,” France said of being unanimously selected to marshal the parade. “The parade is an introduction to the rodeo, and I was a part of the rodeo for years. I can’t rodeo anymore, but now I feel like I’m part of that rodeo again.”
On July 4, Johnny France will mount his steed one more time, rest upon one of his trophy saddles and ride, but not into the sunset.
“This year’s parade will be my favorite,” he said, “The people of Ennis have been good to me, but the best times in my life, I think, are yet to come.”
Great article. I loved his book. He is a hero. I felt badly about the way he was treated by the family of the girl who was kidnapped. I have sent the book as gifts to several friends. Two of my friends who received the book are coming to visit this year for the 4th of July parade and sent them a link to the article. Thanks.
Hi Johnny & Sue, It’s me…Judy from Chicago. Wish I could have been there to celebrate the festivities with you. Patti sent me the Madisonian. Johnny, last time I saw you in Ennis, we were both recovering from serious surgeries & we could not ride a horse, or even walk a straight line down Main Street. We laughed & cried at the same time. And I still value the ride you shared with Neville & me on my way to the airport. You pointed out the landmarks & shared stories of your life. I recall asking if you ever take the beauty that surrounds you every day for granted. You simply answered “Never.”.
So, there you are leading the parade on your horse. Yippee! Know how happy this makes me. When I come next year, maybe you could lead me around on a lunge rope behind you?
Sue, I miss you & all of the folks that are so special to me in Ennis. Thoughts of the good times we have shared still brighten my days here in downtown Chicago.
Love, Judy
Hi Johnny
This is Dan & Barb From Wisconsin, you married us in 2000 in Ennis Montana in front of the sculpures of The cowboy and the pack horse and the 3 bears , We tell our story all the time about our wedding and how we met you and your lovely wife Sue. You folks are always in our thought and prays. We still have the horse Johnney the grandchildren are riding him and at our trail rides other people ride him if they don’t have a horse, he is a great horse. The article is great!!!! about you a Sue I would love to see the new movie you have out. We have about 5 of the Book called Incident in Big Sky that is a great book we share it with our friends. You Folks take care and we love you guys!!!!
What a happy coincidence! I just Googled the Madisonian and this article was the first hit. Johnny, I cried like a sentimental fool when I saw you riding again. Some of my favorite Ennis Rodeo memories are of watching you riding pickup for the bronc riders. That’s some of the greatest horsemanship around in my opinion.
It’s been a long time since I left Ennis, but you and Sue have always been in my thoughts. I hope when you get to heaven, you get to see just how many people you touched and influenced for good. It’ll be quite a crowd.
I would like to know who it was the helped Young Buck and Smokie Brannaman to learn how to trick rope?
Hey Johnny, hadn’t thought of you and Sue for awhile now, but woke up this morning with Ennis on my mind. Glad to see your doing well. Give everyone a big Hello from Minersville Utah. Oh, by the way, I have retired from the Sheriffs Office. Hope to one day head your way. Keep a look out.