Roger Kreis and his sons have played a pivotal role in the auctioneering world

John Kreis said he was “just a little fellow,” when his father, Roger Kreis, started his auctioneer business, Roger’s Auction Barn, located at 7255 Knicely Road in Adamsville.

“I’m pretty proud of him,” said John with a touch of emotion in his voice. “I watched him build this from nothing. It was a lot of hard work, but it’s been good.”

Roger, now 83, said he remembers loving auctions as a child.

“I always loved listening to the auctioneer,” said Roger. “My dad worked at Mosaic Tile and somedays I didn’t want to go to school. I’d ask if I could go to the sale barn.”

Roger said his dad would drop him off at the sale barn at 8 a.m. and wouldn’t pick him up until 6 p.m. Eventually they let him catch bids.

“Everybody just loved that,” laughed Roger. “A little boy down there catching bids.”

Roger eventually went to auctioneer school at the Holiday Inn in Cambridge, then worked for Jim Everett for 10 years before building his auction barn in 1981.

“We’ve been there ever since,” said Roger. “We’re just swamped with sales.”

John and his brother, Ronnie, now “technically” also own and operate parts of the business, he said, but to John, it will always be his dad’s pride and joy.

“That’s my dad’s deal,” said John. “My passion is driving trucks, but I love the auctions as well.”

John has been a full time truck driver for Zimba Brothers for 25 years, in addition to working the auction business, specifically the Junior Fair Sales at the Muskingum County fairs. His brother, Ronnie, is a world champion auctioneer. He won the Livestock Marketing Association’s World Livestock Auctioneer Championship in Tulsa, Okla., June 18, 2005, on his third try. He was the first Ohioan to win it. Now he travels all over the world as an auctioneer selling heavy equipment and registered cattle, among other things. But he’ll be back for the Junior Fair Sales this year, along with his family.

“The fair is the ending to a yearlong 4-H project. It’s like the test for these kids,” said John, noting that he and his brother grew up in 4-H at the fairgrounds. John even met his wife, Lisa, there and the two have been married for 20 years. “They have to buy feed for that animal all year long. They take care of the animal. And on the final end of it, that animal is going to bring good money.

“They’ll find all they work they put into it is all worth. They’re seeing what the value of their time is when they get a check for that animal.”

And as the Junior Fair auctioneer, he said he tries to get them top dollar.

“I’ve been in their shoes; I’ve been in front of the auctioneer,” he said. “We’re trying to be teachers to help them sell their product. It’s pretty special.”

John said the highlight of his auctioneering career was about six years ago at the fair doing the Junior Sales.

“My brother’s daughter had either a champion or reserve champion at the fair and I got to sell it,” he said with pride. “I’m pretty proud of that.”

He was able to engage the crowd and get good money for it, he said, which is the most important part of his job.

“If you’re just rolling your numbers along and not keeping your audience engaged, they’re not going to bid,” he said. “If an auctioneer is dry, he’s not getting top dollar.”

He and Roger both said a sense of humor goes a long way in keeping the crowd with them.

“The crowd is always waiting for the next crack,” said John. “It’s fun.”

Roger said he gets along with everyone and will talk to anyone — being a showman at the auctioneer’s table comes naturally.

“When I was young, I wouldn’t say hardly anything to anybody,” he said. “And now I don’t keep my mouth shut.”

Roger said the joy of the people and helping them get top dollar for their goods is something he loves to do.

“It’s a blessing to help people,” said Roger, whose wife, Diane does the book work and clerks most of his sales. “It gives you a good feeling.”

He said people keep asking him when he’s going to retire.

“I always say, ‘I’m not ready to die yet,’” he laughed.

Roger said he’s especially anxious for this year’s fair since he missed last year due to the flu.

“I love seeing the kids and the farmers and everyone,” said Roger. “It’s a great life.”

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Roger Kreis and his sons have played a pivotal role in the auctioneering world