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Pinedale
Wyoming Local News
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Sublette
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WYCF awards $55,000 to nonprofits in Sublette County (posted 12/23/2025) Happy Endings Animal Rescue asks for donations (posted 12/22/2025)
Covill Funeral Home Funeral services for Darrell Walker will be held Saturday, December 27th at 11:00 a.m. at the Pinedale Community Church. Interment with military honors will follow in the Pinedale Cemetery. Obituary – Darrell Walker November 8, 1930 - December 19, 2025 Darrell Dee Walker, a beloved husband, father, and "Papa," passed from this life on December 19, 2025, at the age of 95. Darrell was born on November 8, 1930, in Sheridan, Wyoming, to Jay Arthur and Opal Allen Walker, joining siblings Kenneth Wayne Walker and Joan Walker (Whyte). He attended Sheridan schools and graduated from Sheridan High School in December 1949. He joined the Navy in September 1950, serving four years as a dispersing clerk at the San Diego North Island Air Station and aboard the USS Baroka and Point Cruz, CVE-class aircraft carriers, traveling to Japan, Pearl Harbor, Hong Kong, Okinawa, and Guam. While stationed in Japan, Darrell flew in a helicopter over the iconic cherry trees in full bloom at Atsugi. Later in life, Darrell was the recipient of the Ambassador for Peace medal from the Republic of Korea and their people, expressing "everlasting gratitude for the service you and your countrymen have performed in restoring and preserving our freedom and democracy," an honor given to 23 servicemen in Sublette County. Following his discharge in 1954, he attended NW Community College in Sheridan for two years, taking classes in the same hospital building where he had been born. There, he fell in love with Verna Lindsey, a Sheridan native, and they married on June 1, 1956. The couple moved to Laramie that fall, where Darrell earned a Bachelor of Science in Soils in 1958 and a Master’s in Soil Science and Agronomy in 1960. He began working for the USDA Agricultural Resource Service in mountain meadow research, traveling to ranches in Carbon, Laramie, Sweetwater, Sublette, and Teton counties, where many clients became lifelong friends. Darrell was then given the opportunity to join the 'Wyoming Team" and establish a Soils Laboratory for the University of Wyoming in Mogadishu, Somalia. When he telephoned home to ask Verna's opinion, her only question was "Where's Somalia?" An immediate decision was made to take their three children, Jay, Kathy and Jon, and go to Somalia in early January 1968 (right after Wyoming played in the Sugar Bowl). The children attended the American School with international peers, while Verna worked as Business Manager. The Walker family returned in May 1970 and made Sublette County their permanent home. After living in Boulder for three years, they leased the Swanda Ranch in Daniel until they built a house on the hill above the Daniel Junction in 1978. The road to that property is now known as "Walker Drive." Not long after returning from Somalia, longtime friends Norman and Barbara Pape went on their own African adventure to hunt "big game" and asked the Walkers to stay at their ranch while they were gone. Darrell and Verna were charged with their own children, three Pape children, and two hired hands, during one of the worst winters in county history. Amid this backdrop, Darrell and Verna were blessed with their fourth child, Patrick, in February 1972. After settling in Pinedale, Darrell established Mountain Meadow Improvement, providing livestock and veterinary supplies, irrigation systems, general ranch supplies, and liquid fertilizer sales and application, which grew to serve ranches throughout southwestern Wyoming. In 1990, his son Jon joined the business, and it was renamed Walker’s Agri-Service, Inc. Darrell spread fertilizer each spring and fall until the age of 90. He continued to lend his expertise to Jon, helping him during fertilizer season, but was not particularly happy that he wasn’t driving the spreader. Darrell was a devoted conservationist and lifelong community leader. He was elected to the Sublette County Conservation Board of Directors in 1973 and served continuously, including as Chairman for many years. He also served eight years on the State Association of Conservation Boards, three as President, and as Vice-Chairman of the Coalition of Local Governments. He served as an Elder in the Church of the Resurrection, Chairman of the Pinedale Planning and Zoning Commission, Precinct Representative of the Sublette County Republican Party, and a member of the Green River Valley Cattlemen and Wyoming Farm Bureau. In 2021, the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) named the Darrell Walker Outstanding Supervisor Award in his honor, recognizing his dedication as Wyoming’s longest-serving District Supervisor. In the late 90's, Darrell discovered a huge cast iron pot at the Jack Jeffers ranch near Tensleep - just what he had been looking for! Uncle Jack had died recently, and Aunt Helen was happy that Darrell could use the pot. Then he found a second cast-iron pot at his sister-in-law's farm in Nebraska. It was the perfect time to pursue his dream of an outdoor cookout. He shared the idea for "Pitchfork Fondue" with a rancher near Jackson who said, "I have just the place for you!" Starting in the summer of 1997 at the Lucas Ranch on the Gros Ventre River, Darrell cooked steaks on pitchfork tines at either "rare," "medium," "medium well," or "ruined." In 2001, Pitchfork Fondue moved to the Pinedale rodeo grounds, where he hosted guests from all around the world for another ten years. Darrell and Verna always enjoyed having their granddaughters, Jessica and Katie, help them during the summers, and a young Taylor would join in when the Montana family visited, always questioning how much sugar Grammie used in her famous brownies and "helping" Papa make the homemade potato chips in the cast-iron pot. In the summer months, Darrell enjoyed tending his garden (though the deer often enjoyed it too) and haying for Kim at the Wapika Ranch on the Green River. His weeks were full with Men’s Breakfast, two Bible studies, two church prayer groups, and pinochle at the Senior Center on Tuesday afternoons. After Verna’s passing in 2019, Darrell continued to find joy in the routines he loved. He tended his garden in Pinedale and often spent a few weeks at a time in Montana with Patrick and his family at their cabin in the Crazy Mountains, where he proudly took charge of splitting firewood to keep the fire going through the cold months. He tagged along to MSU basketball games and rodeos, always quick to remind everyone that he was a WYO man. Time spent with Garrett, Keegan, and Landon brought him plenty of laughs, whether racing sticks down the small creek at Pitchfork or good-naturedly guarding the TV remote while the boys tried to change the channel from Papa’s ever-present golf and Fox News. In recent years, he especially enjoyed riding along with Keegan and Garrett once they were old enough to drive. He could always be talked into smiling for Patrick’s wife, Stephanie, knowing her photos were capturing special family memories. Fishing and exploring in Alaska, along with visits with Kenny and Leith, were always highlights for Darrell. He and Verna cherished watching Jessica and Katie grow up and start their own families, smiling at the antics of their great-grandchildren and enjoying being part of their lives. He loved watching Grammie teach Taylor how to bake and, of course, savoring all the treats they made together. He also cherished his daughter Kathy and her husband Kim, enjoying the times they would stop by to lend a hand, and looked forward to visits from his son Jay and his wife Cherie, who would travel from Iowa to spend time with him. The yearly Jeffers family reunion in Sheridan was another favorite, where Darrell enjoyed catching up with family and playing cribbage with his nephew Wayne, whom he held dear. A diehard Cowboy fan, he cheered for the players almost as much as he corrected the officials. He loved napping in the Arizona sun, spending winters with Jon, visiting his nephew Rick, Susan, and their family in Chandler, and taking trips to Lake Henshaw with Janice, always making new friends before returning home to gather seeds and plant his garden. No matter where he was, Darrell embraced his role as "the supervisor," keeping a watchful eye and guiding those around him with humor and quiet wisdom. He always said, "I'm blessed. First, I was born in America; second, in Wyoming; and third, I got to live in Sublette County, Wyoming." Darrell was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Verna May Walker. He is survived by his children, Jay Walker (Cherie), Kathy Bright (Kim), Jon Walker (Windy), and Patrick Walker (Stephanie); grandchildren, Rebecca Christy, Jessica Anderson, Katie Sherwood, Kenny Walker, Taylor Walker, Garrett Walker, Keegan Walker, and Landon Walker; and many great-grandchildren, along with countless others whose lives he touched and who loved him dearly. Funeral services will be held Saturday December 27, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Pinedale Community Church. Interment with military honors will follow in the Pinedale Cemetery. Related Links: Obituary –Darrell Walker Covill Funeral Home, Pinedale, Wyoming
Mike Looney, Groomer Sunday, 10:35AM: Half Moon Tie-In, Kelly Park, Kelly Tie-In, Upper & Lower Surveyors, Moose Ridge, Old Road Trail and Tree Loop all groomed this morning. One to 2 inches of new snow. 28F degrees and overcast. The road is plowed. A lot of deer and moose hanging around, please control your dogs. Thank you for picking up after them. This Nordic ski trail grooming report is courtesy of the Sublette County Recreation Board. Related Links: www.sublettetrails.org Additional information on winter and summer trail recreation in Sublette County, including maps and requested trail etiquette White Pine-Kelly Park Ski Trail Map - (10.3MB PDF) CCC Ponds Ski Trail Map - (1.84MB PDF) Road and Weather links www.visitpinedale.org Pinedale tourism website (links to lodging, dining, area information) www.whitepinewyoming.com White Pine Resort, 307-367-6606, (Nearby alpine skiing, food services, restroom) www.greatoutdoorshop.com The Great Outdoor Shop, 307-367-2440 www.sublettechamber.com Local businesses & services, 307-367-2242 www.golfpinedale.com Rendezvous Meadows Golf Course (Additional Nordic ski trails, food services, restroom)
No services planned at this time Covill Funeral Home Our world lost a treasure when Tom Colerick passed away suddenly on Dec. 9, 2025 at his home near Boulder, WY. Thomas LeRoy was born July 5, 1940 in Alliance, Nebraska to Albert and Julia Colerick. He was drafted into the Army and served in Panama from 1963 to 1965, where he earned recognition for his sharpshooting skills and also trained as a cook, having worked in a bakery starting at age 15. He made his first saddle at an early age for Harry Younkin while still in Nebraska. After an honorable discharge Tom and his best friend Jerry Sterling came to Wyoming in 1968 to find work as cowboys. They found Rex Wardell at Arnold’s Cabin south of Pinedale where they had to prove their cowboy skills and were hired on the spot. Tom went on to become foreman of the Green River Drift where he hired Jo Ann (Olson) to cook and she became the love of his life. They were married May 3, 1974 in Jackson, Wyoming where Jo Ann was born and raised. He worked on Jim Noble’s ranch, then changed careers and worked for Joe Sondgeroth at Walt’s Plumbing. During that time, Tom and Jo Ann purchased land and started designing the home they would spend the rest of their lives in together. Then he achieved his lifelong dream and opened Tom’s Saddle shop in 1987. His saddles and leatherwork are treasured by cowboys and collectors worldwide. Though he officially sold his shop in 2010, he built saddles and mentored young saddle makers until the end of his days. Tom and Jo Ann loved to square dance with the Wind River Whirlers and Tom enjoyed trail riding with the Back Country Horsemen well into his retirement. Tom also drove a wagon in the Rendezvous Pageant for many years and participated in the Wyoming Centennial Wagon Train in 1990. Tom was preceded in death by both of his parents, an infant brother Albert, sister-in-law InSun Colerick, brother-in-law Gene Lienemann, and his loving wife Jo Ann. He is survived by sister Margaret Lienemann, brother Harold Colerick, sister Kathy (Roger) Yerdon, children Lane Raper (Millie Parks) and Kelly Ravner, as well as his faithful dog Katie and horse Mo. No services are planned at this time. Related Links: Obituary – Tom Colerick, July 5, 1940 - December 9, 2025 Covill Funeral Home, Pinedale, Wyoming
Covill Funeral Home Donald Paul Wilson, 65, of Big Piney, Wyoming, passed away on December 10, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on September 6, 1960, Donnie was known for his sharp wit, easy humor, and the remarkable ability to make friends wherever he went. He never met a stranger, only someone he hadn’t laughed with yet. Donnie spent his life in the outdoors he loved so deeply. Whether he was fishing, hunting, exploring the mountains, or talking about his adventures in Alaska, he was happiest under an open sky. A competitive cribbage player and a storyteller at heart, Donnie brought joy, laughter, and connection to every gathering. For his entire career, Donnie worked various positions in the oilfield, ending as a measurement technician, earning the respect of coworkers and friends through his dedication, knowledge, and strong work ethic. Donnie’s greatest pride and accomplishment was his family. He and Jalane poured their heart into raising and teaching their four children, guiding them with honesty, strength, and a desire to help them grow into the best versions of themselves. His love for his family was unwavering and immeasurable. He is survived by his wife, Jalane Wilson; his children Tiffany (Travis) Stevens and their children Jaydon, Jordyn, and Jarron; Savannah Wilson (Danny Winner) and her children Dali, Peter Rambacher, and Baby Winner; Trevor (Courtney) Wilson and their children Brooklynn and Rhylee; and Lacey (Justin) Mazurie and their children Brockand Colby Mazurie; and his brothers Danny and David (Julie) Wilson. Donnie is preceded in death by his parents, Bette and Lewis Wilson, and grandparents Anna Myerscough and Lewis L.A. Wilson Sr., Jimmie and Paul Virostko. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and countless memories that will live on through each of them. A memorial service will be held on January 10, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Sublette County Fairgrounds Event Center. Friends and family are invited to attend and celebrate Donnie’s life. Related Links: Obituary – Donnie Wilson, 9/6/1960-12/10/2025 Covill Funeral Home, Pinedale, Wyoming
Betty Fear passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. Services will be next summer in Big Piney. Obituary November 19, 1939 - December 3, 2025 Betty Louise Budd Fear was born November 19, 1939, daughter of Joe and Ruth Budd of Big Piney, Wyoming. She died on December 3, 2025. She graduated from Big Piney High School as Valedictorian of her class, then attended Loretto Heights College in Denver and went on to graduate from the University of Wyoming. She married Frank Fear and together they had three children, Mark, Susan and John. They later divorced, and in 1995 she married Rod Bennett. She lived in Big Piney most of her life, the main exception being the winters she and Rod spent in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, where they made many close friends. She will be well remembered and missed by many in Sublette County and throughout Wyoming. She was truly a warrior for her town and community, for Sublette County and for Wyoming. She had made a career of working towards "what’s good for Wyoming communities." She was on the local School Board, the State Board of Education, on the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees and was dedicated to the needs of education at all levels. She served as Sublette County Commissioner, as a member of the Sublette County Treatment Court, the Sublette Community Partnership Board and the Sublette Center Board. She founded the Big Piney-Marbleton Community Development Committee, hoping to inspire young community members and business owners to invest time and energy to keep the community she loved alive and make it thrive. She was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, playing the piano for weekly services for many years. She used her musical abilities to generously give her time to accompany many Big Piney High School (BPHS) aspiring musicians in school competitions and volunteered her time to be assistant director for many BPHS musical theatrical productions. In addition, she helped with 4-H activities, was the High School Rodeo sponsor, local rodeo Secretary as well as being the Secretary of the Wyoming Rodeo Association. She touched many in her life through her many professional roles. She worked at the bank in Big Piney, was both the Middle School secretary and Social Studies teacher, Justice of the Peace in Big Piney, Real Estate Broker, co-owner of The Country Cottage clothing store, original co-owner of The Marbleton Inn and Restaurant. She hired and trained many young people in various capacities; she was never a soft touch. Today, many of her trainees give her credit for their success later in life, because she expected and insisted that they do their jobs right. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Rod Bennett; her parents, Joe and Ruth Budd, and her granddaughter, Reagan Marie Nelson. She is survived by her sisters, Mary Budd Flitner and Nancy Budd Espenscheid; her children, Mark Fear, daughter Susan Fear Nessan (Doug Nessan), son John (Jody Alexander) Fear; and six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Ceremonial services will be held next summer at the Big Piney Cemetery. Betty will be greatly missed by friends of all ages, vocations and callings. Memorial contributions in Betty's memory can be made to the Green River Valley Museum, P.O. Box 12 Big Piney, WY 83113; or Sublette County Health Hospital, P.O. Box 627, Pinedale, WY 82941. Related Links: Obituary – Betty Fear Covill Funeral Home, Pinedale, Wyoming |
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