Don West
Don West, age 81, of Casper, Wyoming passed away Wednesday evening in Casper. Don was a former longtime resident of Manville/Lusk, Wyoming. He spent the last few years living in Casper with his daughter, Julene until his death. Don was born in Hamilton City, California on Oct. 3, 1937. After returning to Wyoming, Don and his family settled in Lance Creek. Don was born to Wyona (Pete) Lackey West Overman and Willie Howard West. John Overman was his stepfather. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Bill West and Jim West and sisters, Ethyl McDonald and Virginia Bowen. He is survived by his sister Lois Ladwig and husband Richard, his ex-wife Michal West, his children – Julene Lindberg and her husband William (Tuna) Lindberg of Casper, Kathi Corkran and her husband Erik of Evergreen, Co., Donna Johnson and her husband Shay of Golden, Co., and Debora Yates and her husband Wally Yates of Casper, Wy. 6 Grandchildren – Patrik Barry, Michal Paul and Kristopher Lindberg, Lindsey Paison and Sarah and Reagan Yates, 1 Great Granddaughter, Leah Faye Gene Lindberg and numerous nieces and nephews.
After graduating from Niobrara Co. High School, Don served in the US Navy on the USS Suribachi. After an honorable discharge, he returned to Wyoming where he married Michal Gene Hovis, also from Lance Creek. Don was a hard worker, and did anything he needed to do to make sure his family had what they needed. He started out in the oil field, eventually leading to top management and then opening his own consulting business. They called him “The Mud Dr.”, and was in very high demand. He worked all over the US and even consulted in Russia, Africa and also in the Gulf of Mexico.
Don loved music and frequently came to sing karaoke at the Silver Dollar with his daughter, Julene. He was very talented and played all brass instruments, guitar and also played the piano quite well. Don built and flew his own airplane, much to his family’s dismay and fear, but he loved flying it! Don also wrote and published 2 novels centered in Niobrara County. Don loved gardening and grew amazing things for his family. He was a great golfer and also loved to fish. His favorite teams were the Denver Nuggets and Denver Broncos.
Don was very proud of his children and grandchildren and he will be missed greatly by all of them. When we told him that we loved him, he always said "Love ya back!". Well Dad, we love you back forever, you will never be forgotten. We will remember the lessons you taught us and we will miss you every day.
Services for Don will be at Pier Funeral Home on Friday, May 24th at 1 p.m. Friends and family are welcome for coffee and cake at The Senior Center afterwards at 2 p.m..