Obituaries

James King

James “Jim” King passed away Thursday, July 29 at St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson Hole. King had been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease over a year ago and finally succumbed to the illness at the hospital with his loved ones by his side.

A loving husband, father and grand-father, King was a third-generation rancher, manning the King Ranch along the East Fork River in Boulder and branding with the K-9 iron for over 50 years.

Jim was born on June 10, 1930 in Rock Springs to parents James Sr. and Vera King. Throughout his younger years, King came to embody all that is Boulder. In addition totending to the everyday duties of the ranch, Jim snowshoed in the winters to trap beaver and bobcats, explored the buttes around his ranch discovering ancient Indian artifacts, guided hunters out of the Wolf Lake area for 12 years and was a state brand inspector for almost 20 years.

In 1952, James wed Roberta Velvick and the two ran the King Ranch for over 30 years.

Their only child, Debi, was born Oct. 8, 1953.

In 1989, Jim and Roberta sold the ranch and moved to Pinedale. After leaving behind a long life of ranching, outfitting and trapping, Jim busied himself with new “hobbies” during his retirement. He purchased wrecked cars from county auctions and fixed them up in his shop; driving them for awhile and then selling them when it was time to start a new project. He took up the game of golf and played almost every summer morning with Roberta, and his grandson Tim.

He also participated in local turkey shoots, made leather belts and spent most of his free time in the winter snowmobiling in the back-country with friends from Boulder.

In 2004, Jim and Roberta were recognized as lifetime membersby the Green River Cattlemen’s Association.

In 2005, Jimwas diagnosed by doctors as having Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig's disease.

Despite being told he had only a short time to live, Jim fought the rare disease for over a year.

King is survived in death by his wife, Roberta; daughter Debi Ruland of Pinedale; grandson Tim Ruland of Pinedale; grand daughter Michelle Longmire and great-grandchildren Logan and Deanna Longmire of Weatherford, TX.

Services for King were held on Wednesday, July 5 at Hudson's funeral home in Pinedale.

Charlotte Virginia Eaton

Charlotte Eaton died June 29 at the Sublette Center in Pinedale where she had been a resident for the past five years. She had been in ill health for many years, suffering from multiple sclerosis.

Charlotte was born in LaHabra Heights, California on December 31, 1924. She graduatedfrom Eden High School in Farson before attending nursing school in Laramie. She married Robert B. Eaton on February 14, 1942. Together they raised two sons, Walter and James “Toby,” on their ranch in Farson. After leaving the ranch Bob and Charlotte enjoyed 10 years of retirement in Cottonwood, Ariz. before returning to Wyoming where they resided in Lander until Charlotte entered the Sublette Center in 2001.

She worked at the hospital in Rock Springs and later drove a school bus in Farson for many years. She was also employed as a secretary for the ASCS, University Extension Office and Capitol Savings and Loan before becoming disabled from multiple schlerosis.

She is survived by her husband Robert of Lander; two sons Walter Eaton and James (Karla) Eaton, both of Farson; grandsons Bruce, Dustin and Zak Eaton and granddaughters Ginger Eaton, Tamra Foy and Lauren Reed, along with 13 great-grandchildren.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents Ida and Art Keeler, two sisters Grace Tanner and Ellen Ferrell and two brothers Robert and Gilbert Keeler.

A graveside funeral service was held at the Eden Valley Cemetery in Farson Saturday July 1. Bradley Thoren conducted the services.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Wyoming Division of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 525 Randall Ave. Suite105, Cheyenne, WY 82001.

Graveside services set for Mary Hanson

Graveside services for Mary Hanson will be Monday, July 10 at 12 p.m. at the Pinedale Cemetery. A luncheon will be served immediately following services at the VFW Post 4801 in Pinedale.