Paul Richard Kant

Paul Richard Kant

Funeral services for Paul "Richard" Kant, 72, were held Dec. 13, 1999, at Converse Funeral Chapel in Douglas with Rev. Rodney Saunders of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Interment was in Douglas Park Cemetery, with Masonic graveside services conducted by Ashlar Masonic Lodge #10 AF&AM.

Mr. Kant died Dec. 10, 1999, at Memorial Hospital of Converse County.

Richard was born Aug. 12, 1927, at the Smith Private Hospital in Douglas, the son of Estelle (Runser) and William F. Kant. He was reared on the family farm near Lost Springs. His mother died when he was six years old. He and a sister, Emmy Lou, were taken to Guernsey to live with his mother's sister, then returned to the Lost Springs farm at the end of the school year, where he lived and grew up with the older brothers and sisters.

At the age of 14, Rich found himself alone at the farm looking after things. The farm and livestock herd had more than doubled in size and with some intermittent outside help, he managed to hold things together and still go to school. More than a year later his dad retired from the railroad to farm full time. The Lost Springs Store was purchased by the family and Rich learned about the gasoline business.

Rich graduated from the Manville High School in 1945 and soon entered the United States Navy; he was honorably discharged in August 1946 and returned to Wyoming. He leased a service station in Lance Creek which had closed during the war; he followed this business for 30 years, much satisfied from giving good service to the public.

On Dec. 18, 1949, Richard married Virginia Lillian McCune; they later divorced.

The family moved to Lusk in 1965 where he operated the Uptown Conoco station and bulk plant. He married Irma (Swickhamer) Schlichting on Nov. 10, 1982, in Hawaii.

Richard served as city councilman and vice mayor for eight years for the Town of Lusk. He sold his petroleum jobbership and service station in Lusk in Sept. of 1983. He semi-retired and lived in Douglas, owned and operated K-1 Conoco for a few years.

He was a member of the Lusk Elks Lodge #1797; Harmony Masonic Lodge #24 AF&AM in Lusk and is a past master; Silver Spruce; and Samuel Mares American Legion Post #8.

Richard enjoyed going to the cabin in Cold Springs, playing blackjack, family, reading and traveling.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother William Kant and Sister Edith Delahunty.

He is survived by his wife Irma of Douglas; sons Rick Kant of Fort Collins, Colo., and Steve Kant of Lusk; sisters Emmy Lou Huff of Douglas and Pauline Werdin of Germantown, Md.; brother Walter F. Kant of Lance Creek and one granddaughter Riian Kant of Fort Collins.

Serving as pallbearers were Jerry Burback, Terry Craig, Bill Sack, Don Coffman, Bingo Marburger, and Larry Tennant.

Memorials to the Wyoming Elks State Trust, 2513 Beartooth Drive, Cody, WY 82414 or to the choice of donor would be appreciated by the family.

Converse Funeral Chapel of Douglas was in charge of arrangements.

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