Obituaries

Gordon W. Bray

Graveside services were held for Gordon W. Bray Sr. on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2007, at 1 p.m. at the Plainview Cemetery in Big Piney.

Gordon passed away Feb. 26 at his home in Big Piney. He was born in Kemmerer on Dec. 21, 1939, to Frank and Helen (Webb) Bray. Gordon’s first five years were spent at the Winkelman place on Cottonwood. The next five years were spent at the Sykes place on South Piney. The rest of his years he lived at the Bray Ranch on Middle Piney where he did what he loved – ranch.

Two years after graduating from Big Piney High School he married Beth A. Parsell at the Community Congregational Church on Aug. 6, 1960. They had two children, Katherine Jean and Gordon William Jr.

He was a member of the Community Congregational Church, Big Piney Lodge No. 47, Big Piney Order of Eastern Star No. 42, Korein Shriners, Knights Templar, Commandry and Green River Cattlemen’s Association.

Gordon is survived by his wife Beth A., daughter Katherine (Wayne) son Gordon W. (Paulette), and grandchildren Tucker, Hadley, Shae and Wes.

He is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Helen (Webb) Bray and brother Frank.

Memorial contributions may be sent in memory of Gordon W. Bray Sr., C/O Community Home Care, P.O. Box 4460, Marbleton, WY 83113.

How Green Was My Valley:

Men like our husbands, fathers, and granddads cannot die.

They are with us still, real in memory as they were in flesh, loving and beloved forever.

Robert Holly Chase

Robert Holly Chase, age 69, Benton City, Wash., died at his daughter’s home in Laramie on Feb. 20, 2007, from cancer.

He was born in Ainsworth, Neb., on Dec. 28, 1937. He grew up on the family ranch near Elsmere, Neb. He attended country schools through elementary and graduated from Halsey High School in 1955. After graduation Robert enlisted in the Air Force. When his service with the Air Force was complete, he moved back to Nebraska where he met Coleen McIntyre in Broken Bow. They were married in 1962. They moved to St. Francis, S.D., where he worked on a large cattle ranch. It was there he met Jack Schwabacher from Wyoming. Jack had several cattle quarantined at the ranch in St. Francis due to some blood samples being frozen. Robert tended to these cattle, and Jack was impressed with his abilities. Jack mentioned if he ever wanted to work in Wyoming, he could get him a good job. Not much later Robert received a letter from Buss Fear inviting him to come to Big Piney and work for Fear Ranches. Robert and Coleen moved to Big Piney with their two small children, Lesa and Gerry, in 1965. They worked with Buss Fear for four years, and during that time a strong friendship developed between Robert and Buss.

In 1970, Robert and Coleen built Chase’s Drive-In. This occurred after a Sunday trip into town when the local restaurant didn’t have any ice cream. Robert proclaimed he would build his own restaurant so he could have ice cream whenever he wanted. Robert and Coleen owned and operated the drive-in for 12 years. During this time Robert also worked in the oilfield on drilling rigs. They sold the drive-in in 1982 and then retired to Leavenworth, Wash., in 1983. While in Leavenworth, Robert helped people train their horses, drove teams of horses for sleigh rides during Christmas, helped a local outfitter with hunting and camping trips and worked with orchards grafting fruit trees and helping out during harvests. In 1991, Robert and Coleen divorced, and Robert moved to some property outside of Benton City where he raised goats to satisfy his need to work with livestock. He would give his goat’s milk away to the senior citizens so they wouldn’t have to pay high prices. In addition to grain and hay, his goats also consumed plenty of discarded breads, pastries, licorice and other grocery items, which had outlived their shelf life. He also made sure there was apple bark for them to browse. The senior citizens in the West Richland area would often comment on how delicious his milk tasted. Robert enjoyed firearms, working with leather, animals and helping people. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Laramie, and he was instrumental in helping to establish Peace Lutheran Church in Marbleton. He passed this faith on to his children.

Robert is survived by his siblings John (Twila) Chase of Washington, Ken Chase, Erma (Mike) Davis of Nebraska, Emma (Ralph) Grimes from Florida; sister-in-Law Janet Chase of Missouri; one daughter Lesa (Gary) McQuay; one son Gerry (Debbie) Chase; four grandchildren Charles Chase, Zachary Cary, Chelsea Chase and Mac McQuay; two great-grandchildren Taylor and Hailey Cary, all from Wyoming.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents Rex and Revia and one brother Gary Chase. The “Cowboy” will be remembered as a gentle person.