Milford Wayne ‘Moose’ Eversole

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(Oct. 25, 1936 - April 12, 2013)

Milford Wayne “Moose” Eversole, 76, of Powell, beloved husband of Mary Sue “Suzie” Eversole, died at home Friday, April 12, 2013 surrounded by family.

Moose was born Oct. 25, 1936 in Rock Springs to Clarence Milford Eversole and Grace Alicia Manning. He grew up in Wyoming, spent most of his career in Colorado and the last 21 years of retirement in Powell.

Growing up in Rock Springs, Moose spent most of his summers in the mountains herding sheep. What he enjoyed most was time spent with his uncles on the Eversole ranch in southwest Wyoming. He loved breaking and riding horses. Even after he graduated from high school, he looked forward to returning to the ranch for branding or shipping cattle.

His nickname on the ranch was “Tuff.” He was an all-star athlete; all four years of high school, he played football, basketball and track, receiving many accolades.

Sports opened the doorway to college when he received a football scholarship. He graduated from Westminister College in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1962 with a bachelor of science degree in education. Moose later finished his master’s degree in physical education at Adams State University in Alamosa, Colo., in 1966. While earning his master’s degree he was a graduate teaching assistant and coached all sports. During that time he served on the 1986 Olympic Committee. He had the pleasure of meeting Jesse Owens, an American track and field athlete and gold medalist of the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Moose started to pursue his doctoral degree in education, but realized he was more interested in teaching young kids than administration.

He served youth throughout his teaching and coaching career. He started out teaching grades four-eight in the railroad section of the town of Bitter Creek, Colo. He then taught high school English in Wheatland where he also coached wrestling and football. He spent most of his career teaching physical education and English at Fairview High School in Boulder, Colo. He coached football, basketball and wrestling. He was part of the Literary Guild, which was a cover for the men’s poker club. Youth and sports were his calling in life. He launched the recreation program in Metro State College. Moose never really followed the rules and always forged the way, doing his own thing and enjoying every minute of it. He retired from Fairview High School in 1992 and relocated in Powell.

What Moose loved most in life was his family. He met his wife Suzie (of Cody) in 1956 at the University of Wyoming. They literally hit it off when she slapped him after he was dared to pinch her at a local dance. After proposing Moose-style (“let’s just get married”), they married July 31, 1958 in Cody. Moose and Sue were sealed in the Billings Temple, August 2000. They raised three strong sons David, Paul and Doug and lost their other son, Milford, during childbirth.

Moose was active in the community and at church. He and his wife served a mission for the LDS Church in the Arkansas-Little Rock Mission in 2007. He served and supported the Boy Scouts. Being a proponent of how important past history has in today’s world, he was active in the Wyoming Historical Society. He could be found at local auctions almost any weekend, out-bidding everyone for any John Wayne memorabilia.

He had the best retirement, traveling the world. Moose-style, he preferred to travel the back roads and unfamiliar pathways. Moose and Sue traveled most of Europe, and the U.S. They loved researching history and eating banana splits wherever they went. A favorite trip was to China. Their last trip (last November) was to Israel and Egypt, pretty much completing their “bucket list.” Moose made friends wherever they traveled.

Moose was famous for his woodwork. In early years, he sold his work at craft shows, but couldn’t make much money because he was more interested in socializing and giving it all away. His work is visible in many homes throughout the Powell area. His woodshop was open to anyone who wanted to learn or build something. His grandson-in-law, Adam, who admired Moose, loved to learn from him and make things. He absolutely loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a great teacher and was always playing with his own kids or the neighbor kids. His grandson Mike and great-grandson Jordan were great help during the last years as Moose battled cancer.

Moose will always be remembered as a loving husband, caring father and grandfather, and spiritual giant loved by friends, family and the community.

Moose was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ira Alicia; children Milford Ryan, David Wayne and Milford Paul; and grandson Michael.

He is survived by his loving wife; granddaughter Alicia Fabbri and her husband Adam; granddaughter Bridget Yount; great-grandchildren Jordan, Kylea and David; as well as other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 18 at 2 p.m., at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1026 Avenue E in Powell.

Memorial donations can be sent to Powell Valley Hospice, 777 Avenue H, Powell, WY 82435.

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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