Donald Lee Richmond, 81, of Wheatland, died on January 27, 2021 in Cheyenne.
He was born on March 3, 1939 in Cheyenne.
Don worked for 25 years at The City of Wheatland. In the past he had worked as a ranch hand, a window installer, a maintenance man, a construction worker, and an auto body worker.
He was a member of the NRA.
His hobbies included fishing, hunting, rock hunting, socializing at the coffee shop, telling his stories to anyone who would listen & spending time with friends and family.
He is survived by his loving wife Janice Richmond (Lambert); daughters, Letha Gaudern (Zeb Gaudern) of Dickinson, ND, Dawn Lee Graham of Hudson, WY, Deanna Kerns (Eddie Kerns) of Gillette, WY, Holly Richmond of Wheatland, WY and Kandi Carpenter (Scotty Carpenter) of Gillette, WY; his brother; Charles; and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Audie Richmond; his siblings, Lloyd Jr., Harold, Betty & Billy, Kenneth, Floreta; and his granddaughter, Nicole.
Visitation will be Thursday, 9-5, and Friday, 9-1, at Wiederspahn- Radomsky Chapel.
Services will be Friday, 2:00 p.m., at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel.
To view a live webcast of the service please visit his obituary page at www.wrcfuneral.com
Debra Ann Martinez, 56, of Cheyenne, Wyoming passed away Thursday, January 28, 2021 at the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center.
Debra was born January 3, 1965 in Sante Fe, New Mexico, a daughter of Lazzaro and Ida (Montoya) Carabajal.
Debra was a wonderful caregiver who enjoyed working as a CNA for more than 20 years. Her many interests included gambling and playing Bingo with her mother. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren including taking them to the park and having ice cream. She will be remembered for her generous heart and for being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, aunt, cousin and friend.
Debra is survived by her husband, Donnie Martinez; children, Anthony (Alissa) Cordova, Veronica (Isaac) Lucero, Christopher (Alicia) Cordova, and Genevieve (Vincent) Phillips; mother, Ida Carabajal; step-daughters, Melissa and Amanda Martinez; siblings, Rosando, Paula, Lazzaro, Armando, Joey, Diana, Katrina and Jessica Carabajal; 26 grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her father, Lazzaro Carabajal; sister, Felipita Carabajal; and four beloved nephews.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Schrader, Aragon and Jacoby Funeral Home with a Vigil for the Deceased to follow at 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 3rd at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with a reception to follow at the Schrader Reception Center.
Services are entrusted to Schrader, Aragon and Jacoby Funeral Home, 2222 Russell Avenue, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001.
June E. Pafford, 76, of Cheyenne died January 25, 2021 at the Davis Hospice Center. She was born on September 9, 1944 in Vancover, WA to Justin and Fern (Marrow) Parker.
She has lived in Cheyenne since 1957. She married Jack Pafford, Sr on 8/6/1973 in Laramie, WY. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wyoming, June worked as an Elementary School educator for several years. After her work with the school system, June managed several businesses in town.
In her spare time, June enjoyed traveling, playing bingo, bowling, and playing cribbage. She also volunteered at the local senior center.
June is survived by two sons Michael Jack (Kendra) Pafford of Columbus, OH and Jack (Marilyn) Pafford Jr. of Yoder, WY, and six grandchildren.
June is preceded in death by her husband Jack Pafford, Sr., daughter Vicky D. Pafford, her parents, sister Alice Harris, brother Harold Parker, and a special companion Clarence Pinkerton.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for Monday, February 1, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel. The service will be streamed live at www.wrcfuneral.com.
Rocky Turk, 71, was called to meet his Savior and freed from pain and suffering on January 27, 2021 after an incredibly hard fought three month battle with Covid-19.
As in his life, everything Rocky set his hand to, he worked tirelessly, giving all his energy to living well with shining results. It began May 20, 1949 in Cheyenne, where he made his home and legacy. Rocky graduated from East High School and then entered the Navy as a Seabee. After his honorable discharge, he joined the Union Pacific Railroad where he served and retired after twenty years.
Fit and ready to continue serving, and make a difference, Rocky spent the next decade with the Laramie County Sheriff’s Department before his full-time “professional” retirement. While those years earned him a, “well done,” there were so many more significant accomplishments that Rocky enjoyed.
Greatest of these, were his sweet wife Christine, and children, Dustyn and Kandis. Rocky and Christine were blessed to see the beauty and many landmarks of this country as well as Canada and Mexico. Together, they built new homes and participated in activities where Rocky demonstrated his remarkable best. Rocky was incredibly proud of his children and there was rarely a conversation with him, that didn’t include mention of his pride and joy.
He was known as the “Muscle Car Mechanic” due to his great racecar-building expertise. That evidence was recorded on behalf of the “Intimidator” (Rocky) as the owner and builder of the car and engine for the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, which beat well known driver Mario Andretti. Rocky’s racing enthusiasm spilled over to NASCAR, with great affection for Dale Earnhardt whom he had the privilege of meeting.
In all ways, Rocky made things better than when he began. He took great pride in true quality work and ingenuity. The Cheyenne Frontier Days Committees appreciated his contribution to the historic and landmark activities for four decades of the Daddy of’em All. Rocky also found great pleasure in sports. He thoroughly enjoyed bowling, playing basketball, coaching and cheering for his children’s and grandchildren’s sports and interests. Later in life, he developed a great love of golf as well. Rocky was a tried-and-true Denver Broncos fan, attending three of John Elway’s Super Bowls. Amidst all his accomplishments, hobbies, and interests, family was always his focus. They inspired him to be a loving leader and provider as demonstrated by his devoted and much-loved Grandfather, Oscar M. Turk.
The soft side of Rocky was in creating “home” with beauty and function like his beautiful gardens, or taking a break on his personal, backyard putting green! He created a delightful playground space as well, so his beloved grandchildren would feel loved and at home when visiting.
Rocky Turk will forever be the great love, large in our hearts and we cherish every opportunity to share all the reasons. To his wife, children, grandchildren, and all who knew him well, Rocky leaves a life illustration of “super-human” determination, excellence and respect. His qualities are reflected in Dustyn and Kandis, and their little angels following.
Rocky is survived by his loving wife, Christine; children Dustyn (Brittany) Turk and Kandis (Tyler) Schuessler; grand-children Gabriella, Karley, Hunter and Landon and his little doggy, Luci.
He was preceded in death by his Grandfather, Oscar M. Turk; and younger sister Anna M. Turk.
Services will be Saturday, February 6, 2021 at 2:00 pm; at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel.
Friends may contribute to the St. Joseph’s Food Pantry, 206 Van Lennen Avenue, Cheyenne, Wy 82007.
To watch a live webcast of the services and to send the family condolences please visit his obituary page at www.wrcfuneral.com.
Carmen (Marcella) Valdez Ebell, 87, of Cheyenne passed away on January 28th at home. She was born June 24, 1933 in Ledoux, New Mexico.
She retired from Memorial Hospital after 15 years. She was a devout Catholic and a long time member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She enjoyed praying the rosary and her daily prayers. Her hobbies include gambling, fishing and traveling with Levinio.
Carmen is survived by her longtime companion, Levinio Pacheco; her children, Jerry (Liz) Ebell, Larry (Cindy) Ebell, Susan (Kenneth) Salazar, David (Bonnie) Ebell, Mary Ebell and Paul Ebell; grandchildren, Anthony, Jessica, Christena, Lisa, Christopher, Celeste, Jennifer and Krystal; numerous great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; sisters, Nila Clifton, Mary Martinez, Maggie Martinez, and Ana Marie Valdez; and a brother, Floyd Valdez.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Conrado Valdez and Flora Herrera; a son, Leo Ebell; siblings, Reynaldo Valdez, Cora Morris, Frank Valdez, Gilbert Valdez and Benny Valdez; former husband, Leandro Ebell and a grandson, Artie Apodaca.
Vigil for the Deceased will be Tuesday, 6:00 p.m., Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel and can be viewed via webcast. Private Family services will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with the interment to follow in Olivet Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jerry Ebell, Larry Ebell, David Ebell, Paul Ebell, Kenneth Salazar and Anthony Ebell.
She will be dearly missed by her family.
Obituaries are a complimentary service of Cap City News. To submit an obit, email john@capcity.news.
