Phillip Kudlock

Philip Andrew Kudlock, age 85 passed away March 14, 2023 at Weston County Manor in Newcastle Wyoming.

Phil was born December 20, 1937 in Newcastle, Wyoming to Peter and Edith (Gage) Kudlock. He was the second born son joining his older brother Keith (1935).  Phil becomes a big brother to Art (1938) and Nancy (1941).  He spent his childhood playing with his siblings and helping on the family ranch.  Beginning around 12 years of age Phil spent his summers helping neighbors hay and thrash while still helping the folks on the home place. School days were spent at Pine Grove and Horton Country schools, which he attended through the eighth grade.

 In 1953 Phil traveled into Newcastle to attend Newcastle High School. He participated in FFA and wrestling.  Phil was a good student with a strong worth ethic, graduating in 1957.   During his “free time”, Phil taught himself to drive truck, securing his first truck driving job with MJT while still in high school.  In August of 1959 Phil met a pretty girl in a blue skirt named Katie Cundy at a dance in Upton at the Evergreen dance Hall. This would be the start to a long loving life together. In 1960 Phil joined the Wyoming National Guard, attending training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he would be trained as a mechanic. He would return home to serve for six years and rose to the rank of sergeant.  Phil and Katie exchanged many letters during his time at guard camp, planning their marriage, so excited to be together.  They married May 20, 1961 in Sundance, Wyoming. The couple made Newcastle their home until moving to the prairie where they lived in a trailer on the Pete and Edith home place before the purchase of the Pitts ranch a few miles away. Phil and the family continued to work with Pete to maintain both ranches. Phil and Katie were blessed with the birth of three children; Dale in 1962, Judy, 1963 and Teresa in 1967.  Phil and Katie would teach through example how to respect and love each other and neighbors and work hard, while managing to find some time to laugh, play a game of cards or dance in the kitchen.  The marriage lasted almost 55 years. It was a shining example of how to love and support your partner and family in sickness and in health. Phil lost Katie to cancer in 2016 and he missed her dearly.  Phil was a hard worker his whole life often working all day on the ranch and then hauling jet fuel to Rapid City at night. Trucking became something he would do his entire life. He drove for many different companies.  After the sale of the ranch due to a cancer diagnosis, Phil spent many years driving gravel truck, and running equipment for Weston County Road and Bridge until his retirement.  Phil continued to serve the people of Weston County after he had “retired”, working part time for the city of Newcastle, and volunteering to be the “grandpa” bus driver for Weston County Children’s Center, driving into his 70s. Phil was also very mechanical, and could fix about anything, helping others with his many and varied talents. Katie always had her “honey do” projects; she planned them, and he proudly brought them to life. Despite the hours Phil worked, he always had time for his friends and family. He had a kind, gentle, humble and silly spirit. You just felt better being around him. Grandpa Phil loved playing with his grandkids, and great grandkids. When asked to help he was their teaching and helping to get those projects done for those he loved.

Always cheering everyone on and wishing the best for his family in everything they wanted to achieve in life.   Although the last years of his life were spent battling life changing dementia, his caregivers shared he would smile, laugh and show his beautiful kind spirit without words. Our Dad, Grandpa, brother and friend remained kind and loving until his death. 

Phil is preceeded in death by his beloved wife Katie Kudlock, and both parents Pete and Edith Kudlock.

 Phil is survived by his son Dale (Andrea) Kudlock of Cheyenne, daughter Judy (Kormakur “Kommi”) Hognason of Cheyenne and daughter Teresa (Kenny) Fordyce of Moorcroft, brothers Keith of Ravalli MT and Art of Smoot, WY, and sister Nancy (Kent) Morgan of Gillette, WY, grand children; Christia Martens, Eric Martens, Heather Martens and Brittany Martens, Clay Fordyce, Riley Edelman, Randi Fordyce, Devon Baldwin and Aubrey Kudlock. Great grand kids: Marcus Ault, Cameron Ault, Amarah Gardner, Anallah Afraid of Lightning, Elizabeth Martens, Juliona Martens, Iris Newlin, Charlotte Lee and Callum Lee, Tyrin Scott, Timberly Frasier, Kamdyn Frasier, Adley Baldwin, Jaydyn Baldwin, Grayson Baldwin, Theodore Edelman, Paisley Edelman, Kaylee Fordyce, Brody Fordyce, Frankie (Bella) Hognason and many nieces, nephews, and friends. 

A memorial service will be hosted by the family at Michaels Senior Center Saturday April 8^th at 11:00 am with a luncheon to follow.  

A memorial is being established to benefit students enrolled in the AG Shop at Newcastle High School.

  Checks can be made out to WCSD #1 AG Shop and if you wish to mail send to 

WCSD#1

c/o Jill Pischke

116 Casper Avenue

Newcastle WY 82701