Maurice W. “Maury” Brown: 1933 – 2023
Maurice W. Brown, 90, of Cheyenne, died on October 30, 2023 in Cheyenne.
Maurice was born on June 23, 1933 in Garretson, South Dakota to Russell and Minnie Brown. They lived in a one room apartment and his delivery cost $5.00 cash and $5.00 in produce. His crib was an orange crate with the mid-section removed. Later, Maurice said orange crates became a favorite from which to build cars to race down hills.
As a Depression-era child, Maurice was quite literally born into retailing. A year after he was born, the family moved to Hawarden, Iowa, where his parents operated a Piggly Wiggly grocery store. In 1942, they moved to Cheyenne to run the Tip Top Grocery store. Two years later, they returned to Iowa for a short time before returning to Cheyenne in 1944 when Maurice’s father, Russell, worked with his brother Floyd & his wife Lillie running a store called the Dugout. Russell & Floyd built the Wyoming Trading Post in 1948 on South Greeley Highway, about two blocks north of Maurice’s present store.
Maurice delivered newspapers for extra money. Virginia Kauffle who had the Denver Post Agency would take Maurice to the Air Force Base to sell the paper from barrack to barrack. Maurice made one cent per paper and three cents on Sunday. He also shined shoes at the Mayflower Café and Boyd’s Cigar Stores for ten cents a pair. Business was especially good when the troops came into town from the Air Force Base.
Maurice attended McCormick Junior High, and in 1951 he graduated from Cheyenne High School. After he graduated from high school, Maurice started full time at the Trading Post with his parents. Maurice lived most of his life above or near his parents’ stores. For nearly a decade, Maurice helped his family work the Trading Post, a one-stop supermarket and shopping center which sold groceries, hardware and farming implements as well as a gasoline station and liquor store.
The Wyoming Trading Post was sold in 1958, and Town and Country Shopping Center was built. For the next 20 year his parents built the Town & Country Shopping Center, which housed a grocery store, hardware store, liquor store and bar. Maurice ran the small drive-in liquor store which included the bar. In 1978, Maurice built Town & Country Supermarket Liquors.
In the late 1960’s, Maurice began exploring opportunities in the oil and gas exploration business. After some fifty years, numerous ventures, booms and busts, Maurice W. Brown Exploration continues to this day as an active oil and gas exploration business.
Town & Country Supermarket Liquors was originally built as a 12,000 square foot liquor store located at the south end of the shopping center. Maurice gambled and parlayed Town & Country Supermarket Liquors into one of the state’s premier retail liquor businesses. Maurice was recognized by Market Watch Leaders, retail liquor magazine, as among the best American alcoholic beverage retailers for 1990.
Maurice was in business with his father for 37 years until his father’s death in 1983. In 2010, Maurice renovated the old Safeway building into a new & improved 20,000 square foot liquor store. With his three children, Alicia, Russell, and Laurie, Maurice has created a lucrative business as well as a prominent place in the community to contribute to several community charities. His goal was to help other people. He always felt very fortunate that the man upstairs gave him so many breaks.
Maurice served on the board of directors of the First Wyoming Bank, is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, YMCA, Shriner’s, Kiwanis, Cheyenne Quarterback Club, Cowboy Joe Club, Ducks Unlimited, supporter of the University of Wyoming Athletics, Colorado Rockies, Colorado Avalanche, Denver Broncos, Cheyenne Frontier Days, Cheyenne Animal Shelter, Meals on Wheels, Safe House, CASA, Needs, Inc., COMEA Shelter, and the Salvation Army.
Maurice is survived by his three children: Alicia Brown, Russell Brown, and Laurie Talich (Cory); one granddaughter, Allison; and three grandsons: Thomas, Nathanial, and Chase.
Maurice was preceded in death by his parents, Russell & Minnie, his wife Bonnie; and his cousin, Linda Brown.
Services will be Monday, November 13, 11:00 a.m., at the Cheyenne Civic Center. A private family burial will be in the Cheyenne Memorial Gardens.
Friends who wish may contribute to any local charity in Mr. Brown’s name instead of flowers please.
Timothy “Timmy” John Gordon: 1961 – 2023
Timothy “Timmy” John Gordon 62, of Cheyenne, passed away at his home on October 28, 2023 in Cheyenne.
He was born on September 21, 1961 in San Diego, California.
Timmy was a member of the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Trades and also part of Local Union 192 for over 30 years. He dedicated the last 15 years working at HollyFrontier.
Timmy loved fishing, camping, and 4-wheeling with his wife and friends. He also enjoyed maintaining his yard. Most of all he loved and supported his family.
Timmy is survived by his beloved wife and best friend for over 25 years, Jody Ann Garton of Cheynne, Wyoming; his son, Jonathan Gordon and daughter, Kristen Gordon, both of Cheyenne, Wyoming; his stepchildren: Kimberly Garton (David Kelley) of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Travis Garton of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Brittney Elwell (Daniel Elwell) of Littleton, Colorado; and two grandsons, Dameon Fiscus and Isaiah Garton of Cheyenne, Wyoming.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ishmel Gordon and Marjorie Terrell; and his sister, Joan Duffany.
A Celebration of Timmy’s Life will be held at the Airport Golf Club 4801 Central Ave on December 2, 2023 from 1pm to 5pm.
Rex Holtzclaw: 1948 – 2023
Rex Holtzclaw, 75, of Cheyenne, passed away at Davis Hospice Center surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 9, 1948, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to GW and Blanche Holtzclaw.
Rex graduated from Fort Laramie High School in 1966 and attended Eastern Wyoming Community College before being drafted into the Army. Rex was honorably discharged from the Army after serving in Vietnam as a helicopter mechanic. Rex retired as a vehicle inspector from F.E. Warren with 41 years of service.
In his free time, he enjoyed spending time building trailers, working on tractors, wood working, gardening, attending auctions and involving others in his pastime. He spent countless hours camping, hunting, fishing, and watching his daughter, grandson, and other family members’ sporting events.
Rex is survived by his wife of 53 years, Charlene Holtzclaw; daughter, Jennifer Doering (Hank); grandson Connor; nieces and nephews; and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister.
A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, November 7, at 12:00 p.m. at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel, with internment taking place following the service at the Cheyenne National Cemetery. A reception will follow at 3:00 p.m. at The Office Bar and Grill.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Davis Hospice Center.
Your departure left a void that cannot be filled, but your spirit will live on in us, guiding us every step of the way. May you rest in eternal peace.
Virginia E. Sandoval: 1945 – 2023
Virginia E. Sandoval, 78, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on October 24, 2023. Virginia was born in 1945 in Cleveland, New Mexico to Rojerio and Eloisa Medina. Virginia was a kindhearted, loving person to all who had the pleasure of crossing her path.
Virginia was devoted to her Catholic faith and believed in the power of prayer; she was a humble servant of God her entire life. Virginia had a green thumb and loved all types of flowers and plants; her house was full of both. She revived many plants brought to her from family and friends. Her home was full of love and acceptance, and she opened her doors to many people who needed a step-up when times were tough. Virginia would always have a pot of beans on the stove for any visitors that might stop by, and if you were one of them, you know her beans were the best.
Her grandchildren were the joy of her life and loved spending time with each one of them. In her later years, she enjoyed the regular visits from her older siblings: Fabian, Corina and Roger. She loved cruising around town and the outskirts of town listening to music.
She is survived by her children: Alex Sandoval, Janette (Eddie), Theresa Benson (Michael); her grandchildren: Alan, Christell (Dominic), Roxanne, Gerard (Tonya), Christopher (Heather), Alexa (Marshall), Jaeden (Kaylee), and Karylee; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Virginia is also survived by her sister Sylvia and her brother Phil.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents Rojerio and Eloisa Medina; her siblings: Tita, Fabian, Roger, Elsie, and Corina.
Stanley E. Seidl Jr.: 1958 – 2023
Stan E. Seidl, Jr., 65, of Colorado Springs, died on October 19, 2023.
He was born on April 18, 1958.
Stan graduated from Central High school in 1976 after which he went into the Army for the next 12 years.
Stan served 12 years in the United States Army and lived in Thailand for 30 years. During those years he worked for Allied Signal, Honeywell, and Bendix Corporation as an electrical engineer. His final position was in Colorado Springs as Working for a government contractor at Petersen Air Force Base. With his positions he carried high security clearances. Stanley was ambitious, diligently working with much diversity. His work was a passion and he strived to be the best.
Stan was a yearly volunteer for Cheyenne Frontier Days Contract Acts for nearly 50 years as the head for all electrical systems.
In his spare time he mentored many kids by sharing his knowledge of higher learning and all its benefits.
While living in Thailand he assisted several kids the privilege of attending private schools and then on to college. He believed investing in their future was important. Stanley continued communicating with those he assisted even after returning home learning of their achievements and where they are now.
For many years while he lived in Thailand; at Christmas he would get dressed in his (made just for him) Santa suit and go to town giving gifts and American candy to the kids. The kids were thrilled.
Stanley loved sailing and learning to cook Thai food. Stan had stories about places he took visiting colleagues for dinner. One place was his favorite where there was an elderly Thai woman. This woman did all the cooking and serving alone. She only served the one table she had, behind her home. He loved her food and so did his guests. Several guests were taken to her backyard eatery.
Stanley had a heart of gold. His kindness was bigger than he was.
He is survived by his mother, Julia Seidl; his sister, Susan Brown; his brother, Stewart Seidl; nieces, Jennifer Seidl Collins (Ronski) and Crystal Seidl; nephew Eric Seidl and Drew Seidl; great-nieces, Juliana Seidl ann Tavianna Seidl; great-nephew, Jonathan Strong; great-niece, Juliena Collins and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Stanley Seidl Sr.; a nephew, Jonathan Seidl; brother-in-law, Larry Brown; grandparents, James and Anna Seidl and Gene and Margaret Hess.
Services will be Monday, 2:00 p.m., at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel with military honors and burial to follow at Cheyenne Memorial Gardens.
Karen E. Tennant: 1950 – 2023
Karen Eileen Tennant, 72, of Cheyenne, was called home by God on October 30, 2023, at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center surrounded by her husband and children.
She was born on December 10, 1950 in Greeley, Colorado to Wilbert and Frances Schemp. Karen graduated from Cheyenne East High School in 1969. She then graduated from the University of Wyoming earning her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in dietetics. She worked as a Registered Dietician for United Medical Center and Women Infants and Children (WIC) for many years.
She then went back to the University of Wyoming and earned her bachelor’s degree in teaching. Karen met the love of her life, Bill Tennant, and they married in 1983. Karen and Bill just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on October 22. From this union came two children, Lyndsey and Rick.
Karen was a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha Beta Beta chapter sorority and enjoyed spending time with her sisters. They raised money for charity through bake and craft sales among other activities. Karen loved spending time with her family and friends – being a grandma was the absolute joy of her life. She enjoyed cooking and baking, especially seasonal and holiday treats, including her “famous” almond frosting cream cheese sugar cookies.
Her other hobbies included cross-stitching, sewing, crafts, attending craft shows, and the annual Christmas House in Cheyenne. She also enjoyed attending her children’s/grandchildren’s sporting events, and was an avid Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies, and University of Wyoming Cowboys fan. She was incredibly generous, loving, and kind – always supportive and encouraging to her family and friends. Each Christmas she enjoyed donating gifts to local charities for children in need.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Tennant; children, Lyndsey Smith (Landin) and Rick Tennant (Michelle); grandchildren: Chloe and Aubry Smith, Liam, Maddie, and Tali Tennant; stepdaughter, Kimberly Ganong (Ed); stepson, David Tennant; step-grandson, Logan Ganong; sisters, Kathy Giorgis, Kim Arserio (Bob) and their children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilbert and Frances Schemp; and brother-in-law, Dwight Giorgis.
A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Wednesday, November 8 at 10:00 a.m, at the Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel of the Chimes, with a reception to follow at Saint Christopher’s Episcopal Church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Karen’s name.
