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BRIDGER/LAUREL - Emmett Colley passed away July 9, 2007, at The Vista at Mission Ridge. Emmett is gone from our lives, but our memories will live on forever. Emmett loved his family, his friends and his work. Emmett was born at Chico Hot Springs near Emigrant on Nov. 8, 1920, to Joshua M. and Claudia Vera Kerr Colley. Emmett lived in the Paradise Valley until 1939, when he moved with his parents to Great Falls, where his father worked at the Giant Springs Fish Hatchery. Emmett attended school in the Paradise Valley at Old Chico, Emigrant and Six Mile rural schools. On Feb. 1, 1941, Emmett began his employment with the Montana Fish and Game Department at the Giant Springs Fish Hatchery in Great Falls. His employment was interrupted with the beginning of WWII. On Aug. 4, 1942, Emmett entered the Army and was assigned to the Medical Corp., where he trained to be a dental technician. After two and one half years of service in the European Theater of Operations and after the end of the war, he was honorably discharged from the Army at Fort Lewis on Jan. 30, 1946. Emmett returned to Montana and was assigned to his prior position as Fish Culturist at the Anaconda State Fish Hatchery. Emmett worked at the Emigrant and Lewistown State Fish Hatcheries before being assigned as Foreman at the Bluewater State Fish Hatchery near Fromberg and Bridger. Emmett worked at Bluewater for 26 years before assuming the job of Hatchery Bureau Chief in Helena. Emmett retired from the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on Dec. 31, 1985, after 45 years of service. Emmett married Eileen Jordan at the Pine Creek Methodist Church, on Sept. 14, 1946. Eileen preceded Emmett in death on Jan. 20, 2004, after 57 years of marriage. Emmett enjoyed fishing, woodworking, gardening and family. Emmett was a member of the Laurel United Methodist Church, life member of the Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and VFW. Emmett was preceded in death by his parents, sister Elvena, and brothers Vernon and Robert. Emmett is survived by his children, Gary and his wife Sue of Laurel, Marlene and her husband John of Laurel and James and his wife Donna of Wilmington, N.C.; and five grandchildren, Josh and Jason Peters and John Michael, Kristen and Shawn Colley. A graveside service will be held at the State Veteran's Cemetery at Fort Harrison in Helena, at 1 p.m. Friday, July 13. At this time, Emmett and Eileen will be united in their final resting place. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one's choice. Smith Funeral Chapel-Laurel was in charge of cremation.Published in the Billings Gazette on 7/10/2007.
FAMOUS PEOPLE:
- Barber, Amos Walker b. July 25, 1861 d. May 18, 1915
Acting Governor of Wyoming from 1890 until 1893. Trained as a physician, he was elected Secretary of State of Wyoming in 1890, and ascended to the governor's chair upon the resignation of Governor Francis E. Warren to take a seat in the U. S. Senate in 1890. As governor, he called out the state militia to quell a Pine Ridge Indian outbreak, and asked for federal assistance to settle the Rustler War between cattlemen and sheepmen in Johnson County in 1892. He returned to his medical practice in. Lakeview Cemetery, Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming, USA
- Barrett, Frank Aloysius b. November 10, 1892 d. May 30, 1962
US Congressman, US Senator, Wyoming Governor. Served as Sergeant during World War I. Elected as a Republican and served in the Wyoming State Senate from 1933 to 1935. Elected to the U.S. Congress from Wyoming and served from 1943 to 1950. Served as Governor of Wyoming from 1951 to 1953. Elected to the United States Senate and served from 1953 to 1959. Lusk Cemetery, Lusk, Niobrara County, Wyoming, USA
- Beckwourth, James Pierson b. April 6, 1798 d. October, 1866
One of America's first African-American frontiersmen. Beckwourth was a rugged individualist and a trailblazer who played a major role in the early exploration and settlement of the American West. He was born a slave in Fredricksburg County, Virginia the third of thirteen children to a mulatto mother and white father. Beckwourth's father was a officer in the Revolutionary War, and his mother was a slave in the service of his father's household. Beckwourth's family later moved to St. Louis.. Crow Indian Settlement, Laramie, Albany County, Wyoming, USA Plot: Buried on an elevated platform customary of the Crow indians.
- Blyzka, Michael John b. December 28, 1928 d. October 13, 2004
Major Leagye Baseball Player. A native of Hamtramck, Michigan, he made his major league debut on April 21, 1953, and played his final game on September 25, 1954, playing for the St. Louis Browns in 1953, and the Baltimore Orioles in 1954. In 2 seasons Blyzka pitched a 3-11 record with a 3.58 ERA in 180.2 innings pitched. Blyzka was also a veteran of World War II, having served in the United States Army. After his baseball career he ended up taking work as a salesman and bartender. He passed.. Lakeview Cemetery, Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming, USA Brooks, Bryant Butler b. February 5, 1861 d. August 12, 1944 Wyoming Governor. He served as Governor of the state from 1905 to 1911. (Bio by: Tom Denardo) Highland Cemetery, Casper, Natrona County, Wyoming, USA Carey, Joseph Maull b. January 19, 1845 d. February 5, 1924 US Politician. Served many posts including, Justice of the Wyoming Territorial Supreme Court in 1871, Mayor of Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1881, Delegate to the United States Congress from Wyoming Territory from 1885 to 1890, United States Senator from Wyoming from 1890 to 1895, and Governor of Wyoming from 1911-1915. (Bio by: Gravedude97) Lakeview Cemetery, Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming, USA Carey, Robert Davis b. August 12, 1878 d. January 17, 1937 US Senator, US Governor. Served as United States Senator from Wyoming from 1930 to his death in 1937 and Governor of Wyoming from 1919-1923. (Bio by: Gravedude97) Lakeview Cemetery, Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming, USA Champion, Nate b. September 29, 1857 d. April 9, 1892 Wild West Folk Hero to some and Cattle Rustler to others, Nate Champion was the leader of the Small Rancher Association who fought the Cattle Barons in the infamous Johnson County War of the 1890's. Nate Champion was gunned down after battling more than 50 assailants working for the Cattle Barons. Nate was able to hold them off for most of the day, but was driven from his cabin after they set it on fire. (Bio by: Curt Benge) Willow Grove Cemetery, Buffalo, Johnson County, Wyoming, USA Charbonneau, Jean Baptiste b. February 11, 1805 d. May 16, 1866 Sacajawea's son. He was born at the Lewis and Clark's winter camp in Fort Mandan, N.D. His mother was Sacagawea, a Shoshone living among the Hidatsa tribe, and his father, Toussaint Charbonneau was a French-Canadian trapper. The explorers hired the couple as guides and interpreters for their journey from the Northern Plains to the Pacific. Sacagawea and her infant played a significant role in the expedition. He was an emblem of peace. Indians along the way perceived the party to be...[Read More] Fort Washakie*, Wind River, Fremont County, Wyoming, USA Plot: The body buried here is believed to be incorrectly identified as Charbonneau *This location is unconfirmed or in dispute. Chatterton, Fenimore X b. July 21, 1860 d. May 5, 1958 Wyoming Governor. In Novermber of 1903, Chatterton refused to commute the hanging sentence of Tom Horn. Powerful people in the Cheyenne community warned Chatterton that this action would stop him from ever holding public office again. They were right. He lost the next election and never held public office again. Lakeview Cemetery, Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming, USA Plot: Marker #1 on the cemetery walking tour Clark, Clarence Don b. April 16, 1851 d. November 11, 1930 US Congressman, US Senator. He was elected as a Republican to represent Wyoming in the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1890 to 1893. He was then elected as a Senator from Wyoming to the United States Senate, serving from Tim Crutchfield Masonic Cemetery, Evanston, Uinta County, Wyoming, USA Coble, John C. b. 1859 d. 1914 He hired Tom Horn as a 'Cattle Detective' to help stop cattle rustlers. Coble paid John W. Lacey $100,000 for Tom Horn's defense. After horn was hanged, Coble's wealth dwindled. In December, 1914 he shot himself in the lobby of a hotel in Elko, Nevada. Cause of death: Suicide Lakeview Cemetery, Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming, USA Plot: Marker #17 on the cemetery walking tour Coffeen, Henry Asa b. 1841 d. 1912 US Congressman. Elected to represent Wyoming as an At-Large delegate in the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1893 to 1895. Sheridan Municipal Cemetery, Sheridan, Sheridan County, Wyoming, USA Crane, Arthur Griswold b. September 1, 1877 d. August 12, 1955 Acting Governor of Wyoming from 1949 until 1951. He was elected Secretary of State of Wyoming in 1946 and ascended to the governor's chair with the resignation of Lester Hunt in 1948. As governor, he supported a number of state building projects. (Bio by: Thomas Fisher) Beth El Cemetery, Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming, USA Crippa, Edward David b. 1899 d. 1960 US Senator. Elected as a Senator from Wyoming to the United States Senate, serving in 1954. Rock Springs Cemetery, Rock Springs, Sweetwater County, Wyoming, USA Doolen, William b. 1841 d. September 14, 1895 Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. His true name was William Dolan. He served as a Coal Heaver in the Union Navy. His citation reads "On board the USS Richmond during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Although knocked down and seriously wounded in the head, Doolen refused to leave his station as shot and shell passed. Calm and courageous, he rendered gallant service throughout the prolonged battle, which resulted in...[Read More] (Bio by: Don Morfe) Olivet Cemetery, Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming, USA Plot: Block 1, Row 6, Lot 15 Downey, Stephen Wheeler b. July 25, 1839 d. August 3, 1902 US Congressman. Elected to represent Wyoming in the State House of Representatives, he served in 1893. Also served as Treasurer of the Wyoming Territory in 1872, Delegate to the United States Congress from Wyoming Territory in 1879, and Member of the Wyoming Territorial House of Representatives in 1887. (Bio by: Gravedude97) Greenhill Cemetery, Laramie, Albany County, Wyoming, USA Emerson, Frank Collins b. May 26, 1882 d. February 18, 1931 Governor of Wyoming from 1927 until 1931. He was State Engineer from 1919 until 1927. In that capacity, he took a leading part in the drafting of the Colorado River Compact among seven western states interested in the disposition of that river's waters. In 1926, he was elected Governor of the state, defeating Democrat Nellie Tayloe Ross. He was re-elected in 1930, but died six weeks into his second term. (Bio by: Thomas Fisher) Lakeview Cemetery, Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming, USA Fisher, Joseph Washington b. October 16, 1814 d. October 18, 1900 Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. He served during the Civil War first as Colonel and commander of the 5th Pennsylvania Reserves, then as Colonel and commander of the 195th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. During the July 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, he commanded a brigade in the Army of the Potomac. He was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on November 4, 1865 for "faithful and meritorious services during the war". After the end of the conflict, he served as Chief Justice of the...[Read More] (Bio by: Russ Dodge) Lakeview Cemetery, Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming, USA Plot: Section F, Lot 209 Greever, Paul Ranous b. September 28, 1891 d. February 16, 1943 US Congressman, Wyoming Governor. During World War II, he served in the United States Army. Elected to represent Wyoming in the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1935 to 1939, at large. Served as Governor of Wyoming from 1930 to 1932. Riverside Cemetery, Cody, Park County, Wyoming, USA
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