John Stephen Bourret Jr.

John S. Bourret

John Stephen Bourret, Jr. of Lusk died Dec. 5, 1983 at the Arizona Health Sciences Center in Tucson. He was born Nov. 27, 1914 in Harrison, Nebr. the son of John S. Bourret, Sr. and Mary E. Griffith Bourret.

He was raised on his father's ranch in Sioux County and graduated from Sioux County High School. He was out-standing scholar, athlete, speaker and musician.

His college education was taken at the University of Wyoming where he was active in athletics and the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He graduated in 1939 with a bachelor's degree from the College of Agriculture after which he returned to Nebraska to work on the family ranch.

In 1940, he married Echo Glen Galloway of Whitney, Nebr. Shortly after, he moved to Long Beach, Calif. to work in an aircraft factory while waiting to be inducted into military service. His first son Dennis was born there in 1942. In 1943 he entered the Army Air Force and served in the Pacific Theater of Operations for the duration of World War II.

In 1945 he returned from the war and in 1946 he entered the United States Department of Agriculture as a soils conservationist. He spent 28 years in government service in the state of Wyoming including: 1946-1947 in Torrington, 1947-1953 in Wheatland, 1953-1968 in Sheridan and 1968-1974 in Lusk where he retired.

His second son Christopher was born in Sheridan in 1960 and his wife Echo died there in 1964.

He married Wyome D. Keys of Lusk in 1969 and acquired three step-children, Avanell Howe of Littleton, Colo.; Donald Keys of Aurora, Colo. and Gene Keys of Mesa, Arizona.

Upon his retirement in Lusk, he devoted much of his time to playing golf. He and his wife Wyome traveled between the golf courses of Lusk and Arizona City, Ariz. where they made their winter home.

He is remembered first for his devotion to his family, in all of whom he took great pride and interest. As a civil servant he was remembered as one of the most honest, sincere, hard working and dedicated of men. As a member of the Catholic Church he was known as exceptionally faithful and obedient to his God and the precepts of his church. As a man he is remembered as one of the kindest, most caring and concerned human beings in anyone's memory. He has left a legacy of friendship and love that is exemplary to all people.

He is survived by his wife Wyome, four sons, a daughter, nine grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Mary Katherine McLaughlin and Rosalie Warren of Torrington, a brother, Charles J. Bourret of Harrison and numerous nephews and nieces.

Rosary was at Peet Mortuary Chapel in Lusk Thursday, Dec. 8, 1983 at 8 p.m.

Mass of Resurrection was Friday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Bernard Bianco officiating.

Music was provided by organist Rose Kremers. Soloist Mark Lohr sang "How Great Thou Art" and "Ave Maria."

Pallbearers were Merle Hahn, Harold Allbright, Norman Rockwell, Abel Moreno, Vern Modine and Robert Vollmer.

Interment was at Valley View Cemetery, Torrington.

Memorials may be made to the Cancer Fund

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