All Obituaries

James Edward Heron was born May 5,1943 to Kennard Heron and Bertha McCoubry in La Grande Oregon. He had an older sister Bobby, brother Larry and the youngest Kennard. They only lived in Oregon for a short time and returned to Wyoming where they lived in Thermopolis and Geebo Wyoming. One of his great achievements in school was winning the state marble championship. He and his brothers spent their youth exploring the land around Thermopolis and enjoying swimming at the Star Plunge and riding...

Richard J. Reilly Jr. Platform Tennis Trailblazer Platform tennis (“paddle”) court innovator, outdoor enthusiast and entrepreneur, Richard J. (“Dick”) Reilly Jr. 84 passed away from complications of heart disease at his home in Teton County, Idaho.  His loving wife of 62 years, Gail (Apgar) cared for him to his final moments. Inventor of the aluminum platform tennis (“paddle”) court and founder of R.J. Reilly Jr., Inc., Dick revolutionized the game....

April 21, 2020 began with a blood red and orange sunrise at the home of Grace Brown’s daughter in Byers, Colorado where she was recently residing.  This would be Grace’s final hours of her life journey to her eternal home. Born on a spring day April 4, 1934 to Charles and Hester Vinnacombe of Philadelphia, PA, she started her 86 years on Earth.  Her two sisters anxiously awaited her arrival where they would create such precious times together.  Living in a row...

     Cynthia M. (Petie) Bennett died from heart disease in Wilson, WY on March 18, at the age of 89. A celebration of her life is to be announced in the coming summer months.       Petie was born December 23, 1930 to Howard Gilmore Mealey and Lorraine Lyman Mealey in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The youngest of three children and the only girl, her early life was spent trying to keep up with her brothers. Her father wanted her to be one of the boys, and so...

John A. Sherman, Jr., of Wilson, formerly a resident of New York, NY, passed away following a lengthy illness, on March 14, 2020.   John was born in New York City, and was graduated from Taft School.  He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University.  John's initial work experience was as a stockbroker.   After a few years in that position, he moved to the Western United States, first to Taos, New Mexico, and then to Wyoming, settling in the Jackson...

Ellen Linn died on February 21, 2020, at St. John’s Health in Jackson, Wyoming, surrounded by family and friends. She was born Ellen Prentice Welles in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on February 16, 1939.  Her parents were Charles Hopkins Welles 3rd and Marion Ellen Outerbridge Welles.      Ellen attended grammar school in Waverly, Pennsylvania, where she lived, and then junior high school at Abington Heights in Clarks Summit, PA.  She graduated from Abbott...

Raymond J. Kominsky was called to heaven on January 30, 2020.  He was born on November 9, 1941 to Raymond and Frances Kominsky in Kemmerer, Wyoming and lived in Frontier, Wyoming, a town he loved; he and partners eventually purchased Frontier.   Ray attended and graduated from Kemmerer High School in 1960 and the University of Wyoming in 1969 with a bachelor’s of science degree (accounting).  He passed the Certified Public Accounting exam September...

Longtime Jackson Hole resident Sharon “Shay” Orlin James, beloved wife of the late Clay James, died peacefully at home January 20 with her daughter and son beside her.  She was 76. The following was provided by her family. Legendary woman, consummated hostess, devoted wife, proud mother and grandmother, a joyful, gracious woman who made a difference for so many people.  Those are just a few of the accolades pouring into the James family about Shay.  Legions of...

Kurt Alan Ripley, 53, of Victor, Idaho passed away January 1, 2020 at Teton Valley Hospital. Kurt was born July 20, 1966 in Canton, Ohio to Daniel L. Ripley and Cheryl A. Lee. He was a loving husband, father, son, and brother and will be greatly missed. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Jackson, enjoyed hiking, fishing, four-wheeling, ice skating, playing games with his family, and laughing. Kurt never met a stranger and was very passionate about sharing the Lord with everyone he...