2010 Appanoose County - Tom and Janet Demry

Tom and Janet Demry of Centerville have been involved in the Appanoose County 4-H program for over 35 years.  They are the parents of four children, have eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  

Tom and Janet have been an integral part of the livestock auction at the Appanoose County Fair and have auctioned, clerked and worked the sale ring for at least 35 consecutive years.  During this time they have helped raise thousands of dollars for Appanoose County youth.  Their family owned business, Demry Auction Service, also sponsors many trophies and awards during fair week including the Grand Champion Market Beef.  

Janet was a 4-H leader for many years and also worked at the local Iowa State University Extension office as the youth coordinator.  Besides helping with the livestock auction Tom has volunteered in the barns and around the fairgrounds for as long as he can remember.  In 2003 Tom proudly accepted the honor of having the fair dedicated to him.  

Tom and Janet’s four children were all involved in 4-H and exhibited projects at the county fair as well as the Iowa State Fair.  During their time in 4-H Tom and Janet helped their children achieve great success at the fair.  They raised many class winners in the market beef division and multiple Grand Champion market lambs.  The children all spent time as officers in their 4-H club and one daughter represented Appanoose County in the 1984 Iowa State Fair Queen Pageant.     

They have had great pleasure in watching their grandchildren participate in 4-H.  The grandchildren have also achieved success at the local and state level.  Two have served on the State 4-H council.  They have exhibited numerous Grand Champion market lambs and market hogs at their county fair and have had class and division winners at the Iowa State Fair.    

Tom and Janet are pleased to accept this award and look forward to many more years of working with the youth of their community.  They will continue to support 4-H and hope to see the program flourish in Appanoose County.