Jonathan Earl Mellott
Jonathan Earl Mellott, 53, of Moorcroft, WY passed away on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, WY.
Jon was born on February 22, 1970, in Gillette, WY to Donna and Earl “Melvin” Mellott. He grew up on a ranch north of Moorcroft. He attended school in Moorcroft from Kindergarten to 12th grade. In high school, Jon worked at the Texaco in town. When not working, you could find him piling as many friends as he could fit into his Willy’s Jeep. In May of 1988, he graduated from Moorcroft High School and left for the United States Army. He was a proud soldier, graduating as a Distinguished Honor Grad at Fort Eustis, VA on November 22, 1988. He served as an AH1 Attack Helicopter mechanic until 1992. After coming home from the Army, he attended Casper College and the University of Wyoming, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Business. Throughout college, Jon cowboyed on many ranches. He moved back to Casper and worked on the Lonestar Ranch. During this time, Jon met Lisa Lehto. Their marriage blessed him with three stepchildren, Kurtis and Kortney Towns and Jesse Bunner, whom he loved very much. They moved to Lusk, WY. Jon and Lisa later welcomed their daughter, Stevie, and son, Cole. He decided being a “$50 cowboy” was not sustainable with five kids in the mix and got a job with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture. In 2005, Jon started his own business selling insurance. Jon and Lisa later divorced. He was very proud of his title, Papa Jon, given to him by his grandsons. He took his job of spoiling them, then sending them back to their mom and dad very seriously.
Jon was very involved in the community of Lusk. He served on the city council, was a member of Elks Lodge no. 1797, on the Legend of Rawhide Board, along with many other organizations. Jon was very proud of the double yoke of oxen, trained by himself, Stevie, and Cole, that pulled a wagon in the Legend of Rawhide. Anyone that knew Jon knew that he did not know a stranger. He could make anyone laugh with his outlandish stories. He took his dog, Cinch, and a fishing pole with him wherever he went. He was a very proud cowboy, father, and veteran.
Jon is survived by his traveling partner and best (dog) friend, Cinch. His children: daughter, Stevie Mellott (Lonnie) of Boulder, CO and son, Cole Mellott of Hopkinsville, KY. His stepchildren, Kurtis Towns (Dawn) of Jefferson City, MT; Kortney Reed (Bryan) of Port Charlotte, FL and Jesse Bunner (Lauren) of Oconto, NE. His grandsons: Ames and Grant Lewis, both of Boulder, CO. Mother: Donna Mellott of Moorcroft, WY. Siblings: Lynn Dewey (Fred) of Moorcroft, WY; Cris Mellott (Charlotte) of Spearfish, SD; Marilyn Nelson (Tod) of Lance Creek, WY and Cindy Hurley (Mance) of Casper, WY; along with numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Earl (Melvin) Mellott, brother-in-law Rick Huether, and his fiancé Misty Hogen.
Funeral services are to be held on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Fidler Roberts and Isburg funeral chapel in Sundance, WY. Burial will follow, at 2:00 p.m. at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD.
A memorial has been established by the family.