Gerald York posted on June 28:
Sad news today, John Ascuaga, 96, died today. John was the founder and owner of John Ascuaga’s Nugget Casino and Resort, Reno, NV. John was at heart a stockman with Hereford cattle and always some sheep. So many good memories of this man. He was an extraordinary man.
I wrote: Jerry, many thanks for sharing the sad news. Lots of memories of John, the Nugget Bull Sale, and the many CCA/ CCB/CCW Conventions at the Nugget.
Abbie Nelson: John Ascuaga was an icon in the livestock industry not to mention his impact on Nevada gaming.
Jeanne Todisco: Many good memories at the Nugget and the feeling you got as the curtain raised with all the Hereford bulls lined up on stage and Leroy Van Dyke singing the auctioneer song. John Ascuaga was always, everywhere making you feel welcome.
Gary Kendall: So sad to hear. He was a remarkable person. Had great name memory. John sat with me when I was honored at 50 year anniversary of the Nugget Hereford sale. Sharp as a tack and a great business man and patriot.
John Rodgers: Our first Reno Western Video Sale was held there and for many years after. John was a great man and a cattleman through and through.
Pat McCord: I have a lot of fond memories of my Dad (Tom McCord) working with John Ascuaga and Joan Verdugo to get ready for the Nugget Bull Sale. I believe the Nugget Bull Sale was one of Dads favorite events and John was a big reason for that.
Connie Jess: He was special to our Hereford Breeders. Some of our best vacations were spent in Reno at the Nugget Hereford Show & Sale. John made our stays there special. We will always remember him fondly.
Gail Jensen: A lot of great memories about the unique Hereford bull sale held on the theater stage at John Ascuaga’s Casino in Sparks Nevada. John was a self made man and always a great supporter of good Hereford cattle.
Celeste Settrini: So sorry to hear this – many years spent at the Nugget enjoying Hereford activities and his hospitality. My years as Hereford Queen were some of my fondest anticipating the rise of the curtain and John being backstage with us gearing up for the big sale.
Jed Block: Dick Graves, the owner/founder of the Sparks Nugget offered it to John, No money down 7.2 million with a ten year term. John had it paid off in 7 years.
Sherry Colyer: A great man passed today. His dedication to the cattle business and the Hereford breed was inspiring. He promoted beef from hoof to plate. His enthusiasm radiated when he spoke of his business ventures but even more so when talking about his beloved Jacks Valley Ranch. His influence and support helped start the National Hereford show in Reno and the iconic sale on the Celebrity Showroom Stage. He opened his doors to Hereford people each year for over 50 years. Condolences to the Ascuaga family.
Robert Kathleen Buchanan: Sad news, he was a great supporter of the cattle industry and a generous contributor to many scholarship programs. He would remember your name and stop to visit for a few minutes wherever he was in his Casino. He’ll be missed by all that knew him.
Debra Cockrell: How sad. We were just talking about him. A true legend. A cattlemen’s friend.
Reno Evening Gazette Feb. 28, 1955. “Appointed manager of The Nugget in Sparks is John Ascuaga. The Nugget will open March 17. Mr. Ascuaga has been associated with Dick Graves, owner of The Nugget, for the last four years as food supervisor.”
In 1960, John purchased the coffee shop with slot machines from Dick Graves in Sparks, NV, and for 58 years he was “The Nugget,” until he and his family sold the casino/hotel in October 2013.
Remember the Nugget’s famous Golden Rooster? Dick Graves in 1958, had a gold rooster displayed in a glass case at the Nugget in order to promote The Golden Rooster Room, a new restaurant that specialized in fried chicken. In 1960 U.S. marshals confiscated the 14-pound solid gold rooster under the justification that it violated the 1934 Gold Reserve Act. After spending nearly two years locked up until a trial in 1962, the golden bird was saved from being melted down by the jury, which ruled in favor of the rooster. In 2014, the gold rooster was sold for $ 234,000 at auction.
1970, John and Rose, his wife and family moved to Jacks Valley Ranch, Carson City, with their registered Hereford cattle.
From 1961 to June 1966, Bill and I with our daughters, Linda and Kendra lived at the Jacks Valley Ranch, when Bill was ranch manager or foreman. It was a historic commercial cattle ranch with irrigated pastures and pine trees, sage, bitter brush to the west, with Lake Tahoe on other side of mountain.
Living in Nevada, we would see shows in the Celebrity Room with the elephants Bertha and Tina as opening act.
Then when we moved to CA there was the Nugget Bull Sale each February. Wesley & Jacqueline Leininger, Jerry & Patty Stephens, Bill & I would attend each year. When Linda, Kendra were seniors in high school we would take them, and a high light was dinner in Trader Dick’s with Baked Alaska for dessert.
It was a thrill to see the Hereford bulls, with glitter on their heads and backs, the men at the halter kneeling by the head, as the curtain went up and Leroy Van Dyke singing The Auctioneer song.
When Bill and I were on the CCA convention committee, I remember the way John Ascuaga greeted everyone when we were at the Nugget for our annual convention. Great memories.
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Good Morning Red Bluff, the Chamber of Commerce Mixer was resumed the last Thursday of June and it was wonderful seeing familiar and new faces once again. We learned about coming events during our “elevator speeches” of 30 seconds. Mine was: “Jean Barton, Tehama County CattleWomen, we are going to have Beef ‘n Brew, third Saturday in September, tickets will be limited to 1,250; none at the gate, available Pay-Pal, or The Loft, Plum Crazy.”
Jean Barton has been writing her column in the Daily News since the early 1990s. She can be reached by e-mail at jbarton2013@gmail.com.
