Kerry Boren-- a renaissance of the man who has left The Outlaw Trail' I'-'.-rr I K I" . y ; KERRY BOREN strikes a relaxed pose for a moment away from his busy writing schedule. - "K. " I , 111 r-.-' Iff, : v . - : WITH A MAN of many talents ai,d the ability to write on several topics at one time it uld be hard to guess just Jiich genealogical character Boren is contemplating f He views the Vernal coun-We coun-We from the back of wmaker Dam Photos and article by Margaret Bason, Feature Writer '"The Outlaw Trail', Butch Cassidy and Sundance are all behind me now. When I found where Butch and Sundance Sun-dance were buried, it ended my research association with them," states film production leader and famed author Kerry Ross Boren. With the organization of Boren Productions, the near completion of three books and two coming national television appearances, Kerry is coming to an end of a two year period of recluse. In 1978, Kerry left a four year association with a production company in Salt Lake City called Wild Bunch Productions. He was one of three equal partners in the company and the person involved with its organization and birth. After completing the book and a National Geographic trek with Robert Redford on "The Outlaw Trail," his plans did not develop in the same direction as his partners. It was at this time that there were many personal, business and social pressures in his life. Once his struggling days as a writer was over and the world wide fame of his knowledge on outlaw genealogy was known, his schedule became extremely demanding. He was completing 100 magazine articles weekly and writing outlaw genealogy news releases for such mediasas: Chicago Tribune, New York Times, London Weekly Times, Los Angeles Times, True West, Frontier Times, Arizona Highways, Salt Lake Tribune, Deseret News and over 20 more mass media newspapers and magazines. In addition to these writings he was contributing writer to over 15 books and major publications. If this was not enough to keep him busy he has been contributor for his history knowldge in over 15 films, videos and documentaries. documen-taries. When he found a few spare seconds from his typewriter he was guest on such television appearances including The Today Show, the Johnny Carson Show and the London Weekly Television. Working in a capaicty of supply and demand, he also has over 10 movie location scouting credits to his name encompassing such films as: Jerimiah Johnson, both Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid movies, Seven Alone, and Against a Crooked Sky. Fifteen years ago he became an accredited genealogist in Southern States Research. He presently holds the honorary title, Contributing Editor to the Genealogy Club of America as contributing editor to Genealogy Digest. Genealogy Digest was founded by Alex Haley. The founding research on the fact that King Arthur did exist was all based on Kerry's penetrative sense of inquisition. After doing a genealogy investigation on his own family lineage, he discovered he was by right of descent and title an inheritant to accept the title of Prince Kerry of Ireland. After petitioning the country of Ireland, the country agreed with his declaration. He is by birthright Prince Kerry of Ireland which is publicly displayed at Dublin Castle in Ireland. Since this is a birthright, bir-thright, he did not have to renounce American citizendhip to petition and accept the claim. In looking over the public and private lives of people in spotlighted success, nearly everyone will show periods of times in their life where they "dropped out" to re-discover themselves and where they are going. Kerry's demanding life proved no different. In remembering his reasons for leaving society he adds, "I killed every outlaw I wanted to kill. I had completed a 25 year research and found where Butch and Sundance had been buried. I grew up with Butch's families. Butch's genealogy was a very personal thing to me. I can't describe the feeling I felt when I stood at his grave. At that particular time I lost interest in writing and research." Raised in Manila, Utah, he grew up with the families of not only Butch Cassidy but many of the other famed outlaws of the west who were Butch's partners. The subject of Butch was close to his emotions. He comments, "I knew many many of the people I wrote about. It was not the research but a personal obsession to find Butch's grave. The outlaw's families were real people that I knew and cared about. I grew up hearing stories about a variety of famed characters." The chapter on Buch Cassidy is over for Kerry. He would rather decline in public comment about Sundance and Butch's life. He obtained his goal, he found their graves. It was a personal experience which he shared with the entire world. There are several publications due to come out yet about Butch as well as a TV special in which Robert Redford narrates one half of the film and Kerry the other half, but no new material will be written on the famous outlaw unless he happens to stumble across something uniquely new. Seven months ago Kerry moved back to his home ground of Vernal after coming across some discoveries which spirited him into forming Boren Productions and once again writing. He has formed his publishing and film production company with Jack and Dene Chivers. He is working on several projects, one of which Robert Redford has expressed interest. When he recently called Redford to explayi to him he was beginning to come out of his solitary life, Redford had a humorous comment waiting. Redford's secretary has a billboard with several addresses but no phone numbers for Kerry on her wall over her phone. Redford on several occasions has tried to reach him through the addresses, but Redford told Kerry that "none of them worked." He explained to Redford that he had quit writing for two years. Selecting Vernal was another step in "coming out" of his hermit way of life which has not yet transpired into a full social scene by any standard. He comments, "I can live a personal life in Vernal without much hassle. In other areas of the country I am constantly confronted with people after me for magazine articles, research and movie productions. My name is fairly well respected in Vernal. I like that. I think it's important. People here know who I am. My family is here. I am resolving many things from my past that are coming to an end." Kerry avoids involvement with many people. He lives in many worlds due to the wide range of subject matter he is working on. He enjoys the mountain areas of Brown's Park and Little Hole ; he likes to explore places he's never been before, he likes movies, ad- . venture, finding a dusty manuscript in f the basement of a library, guiding river trips and back packing into the high country. s In speaking to Kerry when one hears ' him make an outrageous statement in his quiet reserved way, it is very easy I to say, "I don't believe you." He does not shout and he does not pound on ' tables, but he has a known reputation due to his factual research to make 1 bizarre statements which defies history ) itself. As a rule he will not make a statement unless it is true to his research references. "It seems like many places I go I have to prove this or prove that. It gets tiresome after awhile," he confirms. Presently he is working on three major projects and two coming TV appearances. One of his present publications will be the completion of a book titled, "High Uintas." He summed that the book would probably be published in a limited amount of 1,000 copies in pre- subscription. Mail order will be the only way to purchase the book. If it sells ( well, a second edition will be published. His second project is that of genealogy background working with Alex Haley toward a book and TV series. ..-Third on the agenda he is completing j a book to be made into a movie script of the life of Art Acord. Art Acord was a ; silent movie cowboy star. The in- ; troduction of the movie was written by John Wayne. Due to his interest in the environment and historical preservation of ' geographical landsites, he is involved in historical society interests, has fought against gun laws and is an active participant in preserving history but not in a limelight type way. "I don't like being in the limelight. I feel as if 1 have an obligation to my community if I am in recluse or not. I am active in obligations where I feel as if I do the best. But being on a pedestal is not comfortable to me. I work by myself. I don't like to be on boards and committees. I like free lancing. I can get results from that," he stressed. Real People will be one of the TV engagements that he may be doing in the summer of '81 for release in the fall as well as a pending Johnny Carson guest spot. Whatever style in which Kerry decides to slowly emerge back into more public appearances, he states it will be different this time, "No schedules, no time limits." Welcome back Kerry Ross Boren. ?( i t- -i I m j '" f I " f K 1 M - -Jv 111 .4 a."n i i m mini niiiiiTiw'im nii'raifcii. KERRY BOREN, left, and Brent Boren, right, share smiles atop Steinaker Lake viewpoint an hour after their first introduction. Kerry and Brent are fourth cousins but had never met until the afternoon of March 29, 1981. Kerry was raised in Manila and Brent in Jensen. Brent is a serious student of history and a mountain man. - A .' r. jS . a v ' v" :v ' fx?" J hi' i i ty y AUTHOR, PRODUCTION LEADER, writer, actor, movie location scout Kerry Boren uses his dry sense of humor for the camera pretending not to see the rock under his foot and yet keep a straight face while posing for photographs near Steinaker Dam.