Sky King Ranch Avg Information

Sky King Ranch is owned and operated by Tom and Marilyn Zone. We are located in Sanford , North Carolina, which is nearly the geographic center of the state. I began breeding angus cattle in 1955 when I received the gift of a cow from my grandfather. I have been a member of the American Angus Association for 44 years. Upon graduation from high schooI, I sold the small herd that I had built to attend college at the University of Notre Dame. After college there was a tour of duty with the Air Force as an instructor pilot and then as a pilot with Trans World Airlines . It wasnt until 1977 that the move to Sanford, North Carolina allowed us the opportunity to return to the breeding of select Angus cattle. In 1977 the farm was purchased, barns built, and fences erected. It was then time to get started . With the selection of three ,fine, bred cows from the herd of Sam Greenwood and the fortunate coincidence that all three had heifer calves, the herd was underway. Our youngest daughter Maria, joined in the operation during her school years and showed our cattle at the county fair with great success. We are proud to be active in the North Carolina Angus Association and I have served on the Board of Directors and as President of the organization for two terms . In 1998 I was the recipient of the dedication of the Association s annual handbook. This honor from my fellow breeders was the most overwhelming and appreciated honor in my Angus career.