GV man pays tribute to ‘The Duke’

There was not a greater presence in the “Golden Era of Hollywood” — the 1930s and ’40s — than John Wayne.

“The Duke,” as he was called, was a giant off-screen as well as on — his stature, (6-foot-4), his style and his convictions conveyed enduring strength. In more than 200 films made during a 50-year career, Wayne became the greatest figure of one of America’s greatest native art forms, the Western. And there is no greater or more enduring fan of his than Ron Locke of Green Valley.

Locke has a collection of John Wayne memorabilia that fills an entire room in his home, a space approximately 12-by-13 feet. Adjacent to the front foyer, an open doorway bids you enter the John Wayne room.

Over the doorway is a framed replica of a saber from Wayne’s “Calvary” trilogy. In the room is a framed replica of a rifle Wayne used in a 1939 stagecoach scene. There are also framed replicas of his pistol and gun belt.

In each corner of the room, standing tall, are life-sized cut-out statues of the great cowboy. Locke also has a separate life-sized statue of Wayne executed in metal.

The walls are covered with beautifully framed pictures of the famous star. They consist of photos, metal cuts, wood cuts, oil paintings and a very nice charcoal pencil drawing “done by my daughter-in-law, Kathy Locke,” he says proudly.

Over the interior doorway is a familiar-looking green street sign which says “JOHN WAYNE DRIVE.” Framed under glass are two complete Life magazines featuring Wayne. Locke also receives a John Wayne calendar every year.

Locke and John Wayne both grew up in Iowa. Wayne was born on May 26, 1907, in Winterset, and christened Marion Michael Morrison. His family home in Winterset is now preserved and open to the public. Intrepid collector Locke has a shingle from that house.

Says Locke, “I started my collection in the ’70s. I was always a John Wayne fan. I saw ‘True Grit’ and ‘The Sands of Iwo Jima’ three times!”

Locke relates how when his children were young, he and his wife bundled them in the car to go see the latest Wayne movie at the local drive-in theatre.

Locke’s wife, Janelle, avidly pursues John Wayne memorabilia, too. She says, “Many of these items we were able to find at the 4th Avenue Street Fair, such as a glass etching, pictures from his movie ‘Rio Bravo.’”

Incidentally, the movie “Rio Bravo” was filmed at Old Tucson Studios just west of Tucson. There is a wonderful watercolor painting of Wayne by Western artist Buck Taylor. “We found many of these photos in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico,” Janelle notes.

The collection also sports a J.W. lunch box, salt-and-pepper shakers, belt buckles, a talking mannequin and a baby doll.

The John Wayne Room blends perfectly with the Lockes’ tastefully decorated Southwest interior.

Locke comments, “It is commendable that the John Wayne Foundation’s monies go to the Cancer Foundation.” Wayne suffered from cancer in his last years.

Ron and Janelle Locke came to Green Valley after visiting friends here. The climate was a big factor, giving Ron better health.

Another interesting facet in Locke’s life: Children growing up in the ’50s and ’60s tuned in to TV’s “Bozo’s Circus” out of Chicago. Ned Locke, ringmaster for many years, was Ron’s uncle.

Lois Weinart is a freelance writer for the Green Valley News.