Connie Smith; January 7, 1955 – April 2, 2018
A celebration of the life of Connie Smith, age 63, will be celebrated on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at Highland Park Community Church, Casper, Wyoming.
Connie was ushered into Heaven in the morning hours of April 2, 2018 after her courageous battle with cancer. She is in the loving arms of her Savior Jesus, reunited with loved ones who arrived ahead of her, and is sadly missed by those who love her and grieve her absence here on earth.
Connie was born on January 7, 1955 to Edward M. & Odella (Gabel) Gardner in Casper, Wyoming. She joined older brothers John & Butch. She attended St. Anthony Catholic School, Southridge Elementary, and CY Junior High School where she first laid eyes on her future husband. She graduated from Natrona County High School in 1973 with her high school sweetheart Charles D. Smith Jr., or more fondly known to her as “Charlie.”
Charlie and Connie were married on August 3, 1974 and she was his devoted wife for 43 years. To this marriage were born two daughters Heather Mae and Tiffany Kay. As a family and as members of the Casper Air Modelers Association, they devoted much time traveling to flying competitions. Connie was such a supporter of Charlie’s hobby and they met lifelong friends in this endeavor. Connie and Charlie enjoyed country dancing as members of the KQLT Dancers in the mid 1990’s. Connie’s love for New York City could never go unnoticed. She had fond childhood memories of spending time in NYC with her Uncle Kenny & Aunt Elaine (Lombardo) Gardner watching him perform with the famed Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians Band. That inspired a lifelong love of NYC, Long Island and Jones Beach. Connie enjoyed several visits there throughout her lifetime. The Gabel Family Reunions provided another anticipated family event every other year in Kansas.
Once Heather and Tiffany were older, Connie and Charlie cultivated other mutual interests specifically motorcycling and taking bike trips with friends to various fun places, including the annual Sturgis Rally. Connie and Charlie served as small group leaders at Highland Park Community Church and their church family was important to them. Then within the last few years, they took up boating and camping and this hobby provided great times and memories at Alcova with the girls, their husbands, the grandchildren, and friends. Connie was a proud member of Natrona County Republican Women.
Not only was Connie a devoted daughter, sister, wife and mother, her most cherished role in this life was that of Grandmother. She boasted of her 11 grandchildren and had plenty of pictures and narrated videos to share. From the oldest to the youngest she was the proudest Grandma of Blake, Trevon, McKena, D’Anthony, Levi, Katelyn, Emya, Zakira, E.J., Jayce, and Maeci. She was their biggest fan and her support, encouragement and excitement could be heard from the stands. She attended many of their events from the youngest T-ball games, dance recitals, and flag football to varsity football and wrestling at NCHS. She had the privilege of attending the 2018 State Wrestling Tournament at the Casper Events Center and celebrating with her family when Trevon won State in his weight class.
In High School and following graduation, Connie worked at Lee’s Glass, then she was employed by Casper Police Records Department, and KCWY-TV station. She was a dedicated, loyal employee at the Natrona County Assessor’s Office for 27 years before being appointed to fill the vacated term of Assessor. Connie was then elected Natrona County Assessor and served in this role for 4 years until she retired on March 31, 2018.
Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Edward M. Gardner on February 25, 1998 and Odella Irene Gardner on August 9, 2017, as well as her in-laws Charles D. Smith, Sr. on February 22, 2013, Edith E. Smith on July 8, 2017, and Randy Smith on July 1, 2008 and other relatives.
She is survived by her husband Charles D. Smith, Jr. “Charlie,” daughters Heather Smith-Spears (Edmond), Tiffany Kellick (Bryan), her 11 grandchildren, brothers John (Judy) Gardner, Butch (Vivian) Gardner, sisters-in-law Kim (Alan) Jones, Autumn (Wade) Kiernan, and nephews, nieces, cousins, and many friends.
Memorials may be made to Central Wyoming Hospice.
Samuel Warren Weaver
Samuel Warren Weaver, Born on February 12, 1954, in Casper, Wyoming, Sam Weaver passed away on March 30, 2018. He was the son of Warren and Sara Weaver.
Sam leaves behind his wife of 35 years Laurie Weaver, sons Sam and Chris and daughter Cara. Also surviving are his brother Tim Weaver (Debi), and sisters Rebecca Hunt (Geoff) and Patty Jones (Bob).
His accomplishments are too many to list, but above all he was an amazing husband, father and brother. His impact reverberated through most aspects of life in Natrona County and especially on Casper Mountain.
Sam was a gifted environmental science teacher at Natrona County High School, due to retire in May of 2018. He and Laurie looked forward to this, planning for the fun they were going to have and places they were going to see.
Sam spent his extra time working for the Wyoming State Forestry Department. He created the first Firewise defensible space and fuel mitigation program in the state of Wyoming, developing the blueprint used to protect homes from forest fires statewide. Equally important to Sam was eradicating the pine beetle that invaded the mountain forests.
The combination of these efforts helped save Casper Mountain from pine beetle infestations and raging wildfires alike. In fact, he and his students made maps of Casper Mountain dwellings that helped fire fighters save numerous homes during the 2006 and 2012 fires.
Sam was a second generation member of the Casper Mountain Fire Department joining in 1974. In 1977 he was elected as President of the Board and continued in this role until his death. Sam also secured a grant from the Goodstein Foundation to build an addition to the Casper Mountain Fire Hall which provided much needed infrastructure updates for the department.
Among Sam’s favorite pastimes was skiing. Growing up on the mountain he seemed to have always been on skis. He was an active member of the Hogadon Basin Ski Patrol for 50 years, patrolling less than a week before he died.
Sam spearheaded the Casper Mountain Ski History Project, organizing and recording oral histories of Casper’s ski pioneers and raising the money to produce an upcoming book and documentary about Casper Mountain’s ski history.
Most of all, Sam was a good friend to more people than probably even his family knew. He was there to help friends and strangers alike with everything from cutting trees to pulling folks out of a snowy ditch. Sam set a strong example to all he encountered.
Sam died of a massive stroke after surgery. In his typical fashion, he had recently renewed his commitment to be an organ donor. His generous gift allowed three families to celebrate Easter Sunday knowing he gave life to their loved ones.
Sam gave of himself and his talents during his life and continued to do so with his death. There is a hole in the world where Sam Weaver once stood.
A celebration of Sam’s amazing life will be held at 3:00 pm at the Hogadon Basin Ski Lodge on Casper Mountain June 30th, 2018.
Donations can be made to the Sam Weaver NCHS Science Scholarship fund at the First Interstate Bank.
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