PENDLETON – Initially Finley Graybeal was hesitant to the idea. But, with prodding from his son, Jay, Finley soon decided to jump headlong into the beverage distribution business in 1955, 50 years ago.

Jay Graybeal, an accomplished athlete known as the “Pendleton Jackrabbit” had retired his University of Oregon football helmet years earlier. He returned from Marine service in World War II on the shores of Okinawa, and was ready for a new challenge.

Finley Graybeal, having brought Olympia beer to the region for the Gilanders and Burroughs grocery chain, was asked by the Olympia Brewery to open a distributorship.

“It is a story of determination and dedication,” said Maryl Featherstone, the youngest of Jay’s daughters, and acting manager of the family business. “I remember my dad working long, hard hours to keep the business going. It was never easy, but dad worked hard enough to make a living for our family.”

Later, Jay’s role in guiding the company to success was passed down to the Graybeal children, as Gary, Mark, and now Maryl have played active rolls in managing the company.

The Graybeal family has come to appreciate the importance of mixing hard work with the power of relationships, Featherstone said, adding that the family would not have been as successful had it not made and kept the relationships they have had over the past 50 years.

“Our family is very thankful for the people and the relationships that we have had in this community,” she said.

Today, Graybeal Distributing is operating from a new warehouse on 57th Drive. The staff distributes 1,500 beverage brands and packages, from the Coors, Miller, Pabst and Hamms beer products to Diet Rite cola and Snapple iced teas to boutique wines and micro brews from around the world.