Clark Arthur Smith, 95 of Cheyenne passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on November 19, 2020.
Clark was born in Pine Bluffs on January 8, 1925 to Ralph H. Smith and Bernice (Beatty) Smith . His grandparents, Hubert and Laura Burns Smith ( Laura Burns direct descendant to Robert Burns, the Scottish Poet who wrote “Auld Lang Syne”) moved his family from Kansas to homestead and ranch in Pine Bluffs.
Clark’s father, Ralph Smith, a rancher and champion Bronc Rider, rode in early Frontier Days and also broke polo horses for F.E. Warren.
While attending Cheyenne High, Clark was an all around talent in athletics, played jazz trombone, and started an aeronautical club winning many competitions. He also was a Champion Rifle Marksman in ROTC -7th Region.
In 1943, Clark graduated midterm at 17. Received an appointment to NACA, at Langley Field, VA. NACA was a precurser to what is known as NASA today in Houston, TX. He worked with aeronautical engineers designing WWII Fighter planes (P-51) and the XP63 which were flown in the biggest free Flight Wind tunnel.
Clark was later selected by the Army Air Corp college training Flight Officer Program at Beloit College and became a Cadet Colonel.
As a WWII Army Air Corp trained single engine pilot, Clark was tagged a “hot pilot” because he liked flying acrobatics in the Stearman and A-6.
In1945 Clark, a cadet Colonel was honorably discharged while training Chinese pilots at Luke Airfare Base in Arizona.
After College at University of Wyoming and Beloit College, Clark played jazz trombone with the Wayne Morrison Big Band around the state. He courted
Ann Dinneen (1947 Miss Frontier, and daughter of William J. Dinneen). They married during Lent with special permission from Bishop Hartman in 1951.
That same year, Clark was called back into service for the Korean War, at the Northeast Air Command, stationed in St. Johns Newfoundland with his wife, Ann and first born son, Clark Jr.
Clark & Ann moved back to Cheyenne and opened Clark Smith Real Estate office. He served in the Wyoming Legislature and was appointed FHA Director.
Clark and Ann had seven children, Clark Jr., Timothy, Christopher, Paul, Amy, Annie and William. Later, Clark was offered a position to develop golf courses in Albuquerque, New Mexico and California including Pebble Beach. While living in California, he also owned Clark Smith Chevrolet in Martinez, CA. Later Clark and Ann became licensed brokers, owned and operated a Century- 21 Real Estate office in the Bay Area of California.
When Clark & Ann moved back to Cheyenne, they opened up some of the first Century 21 and ReMax franchises. They also started the multiple listing exchange and Real Estate Auction business for BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Oil and Gas Leases.
Clark was involved in various civic organizations in CA & WY: Past President of Chamber of Commerce in Martinez, Director of Northern CA Board of Directors & Auctioneers Assoc. In Wyoming: Past Director Greater Cheyenne Kiwanis Club, Past President Cheyenne Auto Dealers Assoc. and appointed State Representative of the Governors Committee for the employment of the handicap.
Clark is survived by children, Tim Smith (Sue), Chris Smith (Diane), Paul Smith, Amy Smith Meier (Scott), Annie Smith Jackson (Edward) and William Burns Smith; grandchildren, Casey, Katie, and Alisa; step grandchildren, Jack, Maggie, Caroline; Micheal, Patrick, Philip; and great grandchildren: Eliza, Levi, Elsie, Harrison and Wyatt; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ann; and his son, Clark, Jr.
At 95, he still pulled out his trombone to play on special occasions. His favorite place to go was the Bunk House to hear the talented musicians and friends who always saluted him and thanked him for his service. Of course, his Saturday breakfast at the Country Club with son, Paul. He read profusely, biographies, journals, and history. He enjoyed working with his sons in Clark Smith & Sons Real Estate Business. Clark was honored to meet the Vice Commander General of 20th Air Force. He would get tears in his eyes when he talked of his family. He loved our Country and Wyoming as he exclaimed often in song “W-Y-O-M-I-N-G”.
Funeral liturgy will be held at St Mary’s Cathedral, 10:30 am Tuesday with Father August celebrating. Interment will be private.
Friends may contribute to Cheyenne Kiwanis Club, High School Jazz Bands , VFW, and Veterans of FE Warren, Old West Museum, Cheyenne Symphony, St Mary’s & Holy Trinity.
On November 18th, Janel Jensen passed away in Cheyenne of ovarian cancer with her two daughters holding her hands. Janel was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska on November 16, 1942 to Margaret and George Abe Foster. Her folks later moved to little Cottonwood north of Wheatland. She attended school in Guernsey and later went to high school in Wheatland. Janel was active on the livestock judging team: Job’s Daughters and was a rodeo queen.
In 1965, she married Carl Jensen who was employed with the Boeing Company. She traveled extensive with Carl all over the United States. Carl later quit Boeing and they farmed and ranched in Platte County. Janel was active in garden club, loved fishing, birdwatching and feeding the chickens. She had a rural mail route since 1983 up until the time she died and she enjoyed it. Janel is survived by her husband, Carl; daughters, Emily and Margaret; and son in law, Brian. She also is survived by her brother, Lynn Foster; aunt, Shirley Miller along with numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.
Janel was cremated and a service will be held in memory of Janel at a later notice. Donations in memory of Janel Jensen can be made for a cast iron bench for downtown Wheatland or the parks. The Jensen family will take care of it.
Donald Jay “Bud” Brown, 85, of Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, passed away November, 20, 2020 at his home with his family by his side.
Don was born on February 21, 1935 in Kimball, Nebraska to Jay B. Brown and Iwana “Dot” Brown. He served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956 and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. After his military service, Don returned to Wyoming and began farming with his father. During that time, he attained his Agriculture Business degree at the University of Wyoming and met Ellen. One year later, they were married in Fort Collins and spent 56 years together.
Don was a farmer through and through, and he was active in his community for many years. He was a member of the Jaycees , the Lions Club, the Masonic lodge, the LCCC Board of Trustees, the Wyoming State Parole Board, the CFD Indian Committee, the CFD HEELS and the National Potato Board. He was a proud life-long Republican.
He is survived by his wife, Ellen; two sons, David (Mindy) and Alan (Gina); his sister, Virginia; and his grandchildren, Nathan, Matthew, Kaitlyn, Fisher and Carson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; and his brother-in-law, Richard “Dick” Stephens.
A memorial service will be held at the Pine Bluffs Community Center at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 followed by interment at the Pine Bluffs Cemetery with masonic and military honors.
In leu of flowers, donations may be made to the Black Dog Rescue and/or the Cheyenne Animal Shelter.
Our lives and the world of farming will never be the same.
Services are entrusted to Schrader, Aragon and Jacoby Funeral Home, 2222 Russell Avenue, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001.
Obituaries are a complimentary service of Cap City News. To submit an obit, email john@capcity.news.
