Wayne Fred Barnett

Obituary

Wayne F. Barnett

April 24, 1929 - September 5, 2013

Lifelong area rancher, Wayne F. Barnett, surrounded by family, passed on to greener pastures on Sept. 5, 2013 at the Washakie Medical Center in Worland, Wyo. Wayne Fred Barnett was born April 24, 1929 in Greybull to Fred Granval and Hazel Vernita (Mobley) Barnett. The first few years of Wayne's life were spent in the log cabin (which mysteriously burned to the ground several years ago) located between Porter ditch and the big hill north of the ranch. A short time later, the family moved up to the Mobley place on the east end of the ranch where they were living when Wayne started school at the Stone School House. He rode horseback 3 ½ miles to and 3 ½ miles back home each day, thus starting his life in the saddle. On June 8, 1934 brother Harry joined the family. In 1935 the family purchased the Swanson place and then moved there, shortening the ride to school.

Wayne thoroughly enjoyed the local Sunday afternoon past time of chasing and trying to corral wild horses from the badlands north of the ranch. He was involved in capturing and furnishing stock for the first Greybull Days of '49 Rodeo, which was held in the football field in Greybull. In later years, he provided roping calves and yearling cattle for the annual event.

In 1945 the family purchased their first D6 Cat which was used to clean ditches and level land on the ranch and for various other ranchers up and down the valley. The family also did custom thrashing throughout the valley with a thrashing machine and later with a combine. Wayne quit school in the ninth grade to help fill a void left on the family ranch with the passing of his father, Fred, on April 3, 1946. The family continued to raise cattle, grain, corn and sugar beets.

On June 12, 1953, Wayne married school teacher, Lilian M. Zednick in Lincoln, Nebraska. As a result of this union, two children were born, Fred W. in 1957 and Judy Ann in 1962. Wayne and Lillian divorced in 1971, but have remained friends the past 32 years.

Wayne contributed many hours of time and dedication to several associations/organizations throughout his life: Wyoming Stock Growers, Farm Bureau, Conservation District Board, Welfare Board, BLM Advisory Board, Predator Animal Board, BLM Range Improvement Funds Board, was a Republican Central Precinct Committeeman, served one term on then Greybull School Board, as past member of the Elks and the Eagles and served as Chairman of the Shell Reservoir Company. He also was one of the creators of the agriculture product buying co-op, The Shell Valley Exchange. Wayne was known by many to be very independent, to stand up for what he thought was right, and he did not play politics.

His true love of life was being a member of the Salt Creek Grazing Association; trailing cattle to and from the beautiful Big Horn Mountains and grazing those cattle on the grazing allotment pastures for 70 years. He has been quoted many times as saying "It has been a great life" regarding his time with his "good old girls" as he called the ranch cattle herd. He was one of the first importers of Saler cattle from Canada to Wyoming/Big Horn County. Wayne was pretty much a perfectionist in everything he did from raising high quality commercial beef cattle, hay, grain, sugar beets, pinto beans, to corn. He also raised a few good quality Quarter Horses for use on the ranch using a Quarter Horse Stallion named Lucky Red Alamosa, a horse Wayne's dad bought in 1944 from the Hall of Fame Quarter Horse Breeder Hank Weiscamp of Alamosa, Colorado. These horses were the Barnett family's pride and joy, using them to do their work with the cattle. Wayne also raised some excellent Blue Heeler/Aussie dogs for his own use. They were tremendous assets to the cattle operation as well as being his long-time buddies and companions.

Fred and Judy say they so much appreciate their dad's teachings of loving and taking great care of the land, crops, and their livestock and pets. They also state that their dad was a walking history book regarding Shell Valley history. They loved listening to him relate a piece of history to them. He, himself was a part of history in 2009, serving as Grand Marshall of the Days of '49 parade which he thoroughly enjoyed doing. His family also relates how at Christmas time he would go around to his elderly, housebound friends and neighbors, taking fruit or a jar of honey to them and visiting about the good old days.

Wayne was lucky enough to keep working on the ranch into his late 70's riding horseback all day moving cattle. Due to some health issues, he gradually turned everything over to Fred and spent time in his house with his dear old "Grandma" cat, reading and looking out over his ranch through big picture windows. Two wonderful caregivers, Breanna Bishop and Diane McLauchlan enabled him to stay at home until May of 2013. Wayne's family is most appreciative of their special care!! He spent the past four months at the care center in Worland.

Wayne is survived by one son, Fred and his wife Jan of Greybull, one daughter, Judy and her husband, Forrest, of Lander, one brother, Harry and his wife, Gala of Greybull; two step grandchildren and six step great-grandchildren and numerous cousins and their families. Preceding him in death were his grandparents, parents, one infant brother, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 12, 2013 at the Community Hall in Shell, Wyoming. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to services. Burial will be in the Barnett Family Cemetery on the Barnett Ranch. Memorials may be made in Wayne's name to the Shell Community Hall, c/o Theresa Kimberlin 660 Highway 14, Greybull, Wyoming 82426. Online condolences may be made at www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.