Clarence W. Vickrey, 95, of LaBarge, Wyo., passed away in his temporary home at Quail Ridge Assisted Living Center in Pocatello, Idaho, on June 27, 2017.
Clarence was born March 31, 1922, on the Haddenham Ranch along the Green River, assisted by his midwife grandmother Mary Jane Haddenham.
He was preceded in death by his parents George Walter Vickrey and Florence Haddenham Vickrey, daughter Iris Vickrey Porenta, granddaughter Mary Elizabeth Burgess, and sisters Ella Bahem, Mary White and Darlene Clark, and brother Leonard Vickrey.
Clarence married his high school sweetheart Mary Evelyn Elder on May 2, 1946. Mary and Clarence had four children – Evelyn (John) Britton, Iris (Robert) Porenta, Alan (Donna) Vickrey and Nona (Bruce) Burgess. They also had eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
He was a survivor of the World War II D-Day Invasion on Omaha Beach and five separate campaigns – Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. After honorable discharge from the Army, he returned home to Wyoming and started a career in the oil fields and ranching.
He was a public servant and served three terms on the Big Piney School Board as a trustee. He was active in the Boy Scouts program and was awarded the highest honor of Silver Beaver. He was also a 4-H leader, along with serving many positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Special interests were family, church, ranching, fishing and hunting.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Mary, children Evelyn, Alan and Nona, seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and multiple nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at the LaBarge LDS church on Friday, June 30, 2017, with a viewing at 10 a.m. and funeral services following at 11 a.m. Graveside services will be held at the Viola Cemetery on LaBarge Creek immediately after the funeral service.
Online condolences may be left at ballfamilychapel.com. Ball Family Chapel of Kemmerer has been entrusted to arrangements.
