Robert Calvin Croft

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(June 19, 1918 - Nov. 22, 2012)

Robert Calvin Croft, 94, died Nov. 22, 2012 at the hospital in Kemmerer.

Bob was born in Powell on June 19, 1918 to William Connel Croft and Jane LaBelle Sinclair. He was the oldest of two boys. His brother Dick was born in 1923.

Bob attended school in Powell where he graduated and wanted to go to college to become a veterinarian. He was not able to secure funding for college so he took up working for Garland Light and Power as a lineman. Bob was active in FFA and won many trips to Kansas City and Denver with his skills in livestock judging. He loved horses and when he had spare time, he and other neighborhood boys would be in the hills riding or hunting.  They would catch wild horses in the Pryor Mountains and sell them to the famous writer, journalist and rancher, Caroline Lockhart at Dry Head, Mont.

Bob married Evelyn Sessions of Byron on Nov. 2, 1941 in Lovell. They decided to be farmers and began farming on a rented place just west of Deaver. Robert E. was born when they were living near Deaver. After a couple of years living near Bob’s folks on rented property, they took over the family farm when his folks moved to Oregon. They lived on the Croft homestead farm for most of their married life. Bob moved to Mountain View to live with his daughter, Betty following Evelyn’s death in 2007.

Bob and Evelyn had two sons and three daughters. Robert E. (Rena),  William A. (Kathy), Marlene (the late Lynn) Sorensen, Betty Jane Ilg, Evelyn Gaye (Frank) Barrett. His five children brought much joy into his life with 29 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

Bob spent his last years in Mountain View serving others. He and Betty loved to sew items to give away. They made fleece blankets, neonatal hats, stocking caps and fleece socks. They would give these to total strangers at the quick stop, families in need or local charities. They also collected old or broken sewing machines, fixed them and gave them to families needing one.

Funeral services will be held at the Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Seventh Street in Powell on Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 10 a.m.

Thompson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be sent to the family at www.thompsonfuneral.net or P.O. Box 807, Powell, WY 82435.

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