Roger Percival

Roger Percival

Roger Percival, 70, died Saturday at the Niobrara Memorial Hospital following a stroke suffered two days earlier.

Mr. Percival, the second son of Edna and Garth Percival, was born at the family ranch northeast of Lusk on June 22, 1910. Following his graduation from high school with the class of 1928 he attended the University of Wyoming before withdrawing to help with the operation of the ranch. In 1937 he moved to the western part of Wyoming where he worked on various ranches at Big Piney and Pinedale until his enlistment in the armed forces early in 1942 following the Pearl Harbor attack. For 29 months he served in the South Pacific as a member of the 25th Infantry Division of the 35th Infantry Regiment. Upon receiving a medical discharge from the service he returned to Lusk.

In 1947 Mr. Percival established the Lusk Liquor Store which became known throughout the United States for the outstanding bottle collection he displayed. January 1976 he thwarted an attempted hold-up of his liquor store by shooting one of the robbers, sustaining a bullet wound himself. In 1977, due to a heart condition and arthritis, he sold the store "which he dearly loved, and hoped to devote more time to taking care of his back yard and flowers, the beauty of which he enjoyed sharing with his many friends," said his family. He loved the outdoors, especially hunting and for many years "Rog and his Weimaraners" were a common sight in the community. Since the beginning of the 4-H Fat Stock Sales, Mr. Percival was an active participant, each year purchasing at least one animal with the intent the member would make a profit for his efforts, thus helping ensure his further education. Many young people in the community have thanked him for his continued support in this project.

Mr. Percival has served on the Board of Directors of the Lusk State Bank since 1970. He was a member of American Legion Wieten-Dupes Post No. 4; life member of the 25th Infantry Div. Association; Veteran of Foreign Wars, Niobrara Post No.3511; life member of Wyo. State Shooting Association; Wyo. Liquor Dealers Association of which he served as vice president for two years; charter member and past exalted Ruler of the B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 1797, past district deputy grand exalted ruler 1972-73, and Elk of the Year in the local lodge in 1973.

Survivors include his widow Sally, whom he married October 12, 1953, in Greybull; his mother, Edna; a brother, Paul, all of Lusk; sister Flora Bray, Albuquerque, N.M.; three nieces; Dorothy Rae (Percival) Whiteaker, Flora Mae (Rogers) Clark, both of Lusk., and Peggy (Percival) Johnson, Missoula, Mont.; three nephews, William Paul Percival, Lusk, and Roger Rogers, Milwaukee, Wis.; Lloyd Rogers, Belefontaine, Ohio; several great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father; brother Garth; and sister Ella Rogers.

In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. No formal service was held, but the family received friends Monday afternoon at the Paul Percival home.

Because of his interest in young people furthering their education, the family would appreciate memorials to the Elks National Foundation care of Vic Heckman, Lusk. Friends preferring a living memorial may contribute to the BPW Memorial Forest, care of Laura Dixon, Lusk.

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