Vernon Clyde

Visitation for Vernon Clyde will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at Gillette Memorial Chapel. Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 p.m., Friday, August 6, 2021 at Kitty Mote Complex, Osage, WY. Vernon L. Clyde born April 15, 1953, was tragically lost to us on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.

Born in Sundance, WY the sixth child of Orren and Mary Rankin Clyde McCollom.  Vernon lived most of his life in Osage, WY.  Even when he had to be elsewhere, he always called Osage home.  Vernon attended grammar school in Osage and graduated from Upton High School in 1972.  He truly was a life-long Wyomingite.

Vernon married Marilyn Roby Tupa receiving two stepchildren, Carolee and Dee Tupa from which he gained grandchildren, Misty Dawn, Derrick, Damon, Nik, and Bobby.  Vernon and Marilyn later divorced, but Vernon forever kept the children and grandchildren from their union in his life and heart.

Vernon leaves behind his soul mate and best friend Dorothy Thomson.  This union gave him two more stepchildren, Dawn Tiegs (Rick) and Brad Thomson Jr. (Carrie).  Those stepchildren gave him more grandkids to pester, teach, and cherish, Justice & ShawnMarie, Austin & Wyatt.

Survived by Dorothy, brothers; Russell and Jim; sisters, Barb and Vicki.  Numerous nieces and nephews.  Preceded by his parents, Orren and Mary Clyde; sisters Ginger, Nancy, and Susan; brothers, Tuffy and Wayne.  Three nephews and one niece.

Vernon was an avid outdoorsman who was gone hunting and fishing at every opportunity presented to him, and he was forever a collector of Indian artifacts.  To say he loved animals doesn’t adequately describe this cowboys’ feelings for all his critters- horses, cows, goats, chickens, ducks, geese, dogs and probably even the ol’ barn cats.  He was an amazing horseman; some may even say he was the greatest horse whisperer in the territory.  He was always interested in history and loved to read and garden.

It is true Vernon had a lifelong horse addiction, for which the cure, as everyone knows is a couple more horses.   The only rehab available to date is another horse sale.  He thought every horse could be redeemed, which resulted in innumerable misadventures and impromptu rodeos, for which Vernon never blamed the horses.  He once said to an enraged brother-in-law, “If you wanted to just be bored, you should’ve stayed home.”

Vernon was a kindred spirit who had never met a stranger.  He collected people the way he collected animals.  This quirk served him well during his stint as Deputy Sherriff for Weston County Sheriff’s Department.  He would strike up conversation with every soul he encountered.  Often inviting them over for a meal with he and Dorothy.  He was a jokester who never discriminated, he teased and picked on everybody equally.

Later in life Vernon suffered from type 2 diabetes which led him to Dr. Machelle Wasson and her family who he came to love as his own.  While working for Hart, Vernon met and attached himself to Herb Finn like a brother.  It was Vernon’s wishes for Herb to lead his ashes to their “secret” hunting spot somewhere in the mountains.   Following his retirement from Arch Coal Mining Company Vernon developed friendships with the Jonathan Stoltzfus family of Newcastle, subsequently adopting each of them into his life and heart too.

Donations made in lieu of flowers will go toward Vernon’s final expenses. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Meridian Mortuary 111 S Railroad Ave, Newcastle, WY 82701. Condolences may also be expressed at www.meridianmortuary.com