Obituaries

Charles Andrew Raper

Charles Andrew Raper passed away Oct. 8, 2005, in Homer, Alaska, of natural causes. He was born in Cotapaxi, Colo., July 5, 1914, to Charles and Edna Raper, a Colorado pioneer family. He enjoyed 52 years of marriage to Myrtle Beck Raper, who passed away in 1988.

Early on, Chuck worked in the gold and silver mines of Colorado, where he lost part of his hearing in an explosion that killed his cousin. In the 40s, work on seismograph crews moved the family around often and brought him to Pinedale. After taking a few trips into the Wind River Mountains, he decided this was where he wanted to stay and raise his family.

He first guided for Mary Faler and then started a fishing and hunting guide service with Monte Wight, eventually going out on his own for a few years.

In the 50s and 60s he worked as a heavy equipment operator for John Sulenta, drove cattle trucks for Pat Johnson and Blackie Shriver, and fed elk at the Scab Creek feedgrounds for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

His last working years, he and Myrtle purchased the WindRiver Sporting Goods store and retired when they sold it in the early 70s.

Chuck is survived by his two children, Charles Raper of Pinedale and Charlene Ditton of Homer, Alaska; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a half sister, Jean Sweeney of California; and niece Claudia Widick of Arizona, whom he helped raise.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Maxine Zimmer.

He was buried next to his wife in the Pinedale Cemetery with views of the Wyoming Range and Wind River Mountains he loved.

James Christopher Prather

James Christopher Prather, 81, of Rock Springs passed away on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005, at the Evanston Regional Hospital. A resident of Rock Springs for the past three years and former resident of Thayne, Mr.Prather died following a lengthy illness.

He was born on May 11, 1924, in Del Norte, Colo., the son of the late Ray Elton and Bertie Lee Brown.

Prather attended schools in Colorado.

He married Beverly Anne Allen in Pinedale on Feb. 22, 1958. She preceded him in death in 2002.

Prather was a United States Marines Veteran of World War II.

He was a carpenter for many years and was the owner and operator of the Star Valley Rock and Gift Shop for several years.

Prather was a member of the Gold Prospectors Association of America.

His interests included fishing, hunting, rock collecting, gold prospecting and spending time with his friends and family.

Survivors include one son, Tom Prather, and wife Shiree of Rock Springs; one daughter, Tammy Bredy of Cedarcrest, N.M.; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and one nephew, Larry Kilbourne of Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

Following cremation at the Vase White Mountain Crematory, private family services and inurnment in the Pinedale Cemetery will be held at a later date.