Karl Gaius Udall
Karl Gaius “Gay” Udall
Eager - Apache County
Inducted in 2019
Karl Gaius “Gay” Udall had a reputation of being an honest man who spent his life furthering the interests of agriculture for his family and his community.
Born into a ranching family in Eagar in Arizona’s White Mountains in 1891, he was the fifth child of Joseph and Emma Udall. The only life Gay knew was that of ranching. His father and other family members were in the cattle and sheep and associated businesses.
Gay served his country as a private in World War I, but luckily for him the war ended soon after his arrival in France. He loved the ranching life and was soon able to return home to his wife Blanch and their first child Gaius.
Gay attended Brigham Young Academy, now Brigham Young University, for a time.
An enterprising young man, at one point Gay worked for a rancher by the name of Ben McKie while at the same time working as a cattle inspector and operating his own place from 1922-26. Around 1935, he and his brother went into the cattle and sheep business. Later he dropped the sheep and concentrated on cattle, horses and acquiring land.
Over the years Gay used several brands, including the Rocking Cross. He finally settled on the Flying Box, which was what used to brand most of his cattle. He started using the name for his ranch in around 1941.
A community oriented person, Gay served on a number of boards and committees, He and his wife had six children - two daughters and four sons.
He died in 1965 at the age of 74.
Affiliations
1922-26 Springerville Grazing Association
Arizona Hereford Breeders Association (helped organize)
State and National Cattle Growers Association served on forest committee and tax and resolutions committees
Springerville/Eagar Airport Association - Treasurer
US Highway 60 Association - Member
Round Valley Water Users mid-40’s
Round Valley Rodeo
Home grown pickup race
Awards
1963 50th Anniversary of the Round Valley Rodeo Dedicatee
