ABOUT THE YUMA JAYCEES

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE YUMA JAYCEES:

In 1945, twelve Yuma area men, Bob Hodge, Cocky Power, Howard Varner, Ray Smucker, Linwood Perkins, Floyd Stewart, Floyd Newcomer, Lyod Brown, Frank Brown, Paul Bradford, Charlie Gilpin and Howard Mayberry met in the Superior Courhouse of Yuma to form the Yuma Jaycees.  Their first elected president that year was Bob Hodge.

A year later, the Arizona Jaycees were formed, and Bob Hodge was elected as the first Arizona Jaycees President.  The young Jaycees rented an office on Main Street in Yuma where they continued to meet until the Chamber of Commerce was built.  The meetings were held in that building until 1959, when the Yuma Jaycees built their first clubhouse on Arizona Avenue.  The decision for the Jaycees to hold an annual rodeo was made shortly after the club was formed, and the first Silver Spur Rodeo was held at the Municipal Ball Park.   Cocky Power was elected as the first Silver Spur Rodeo Chairman.

In 1946, land was purchased at the intersection of Arizona Avenue and 16th Street.  The planning and building of a new rodeo arena was done by Howard Mayberry with manpower supplied by many local businessmen, ranchers and farmers donating time and materials.  Rodeo Dances were originally held at the Yuma National Guard Armory, and later at the Joe Hunt's Sports Arena, until the clubhouse was completed.

In 1975, the Silver Spur Rodeo had outgrown the Arizona Avenue arena, and was moved to the Yuma County Fairgrounds.  Two years later, the Yuma Jaycees supplied more than $100,000 in funding and materials to purchase 6,000 additional seats, a new arena fence, and new facilities for the rodeo arena at the fairgrounds.  The Jaycees still hold the rodeo there today, and the dances take place at the new clubhouse during the 3 day, 4 event rodeo each year.

In 2001, the Yuma Jaycees purchased a new section of land near the intersection of Avenue 3E and County 14th Street, and built a new clubhouse at this location.  Board meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month with General Meetings taking place the 2nd and 4th Tuesday.  Come on by and check us out any time.

 From those early beginnings in 1945 until now, the Yuma Jaycees have strived to be an integral part of the Yuma community, and help to develop the young leaders of tomorrow.  From helping to put Yuma, Arizona on the national map with the endurance flight, to supporting local charities and organizations, the Yuma Jaycees live true to the last line of the Jaycee Creed:

SERVICE TO HUMANITY IS THE BEST WORK OF LIFE!

JOIN US EVERY 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the Month at 7PM

Our Location is:

2577 E. County 14th St
Yuma, AZ 85365
(928) 344-5451
Get directions