Clear, 66° F
(July 20, 1934 - Aug. 24, 2011)
While doing one of his most favorite activities on this earth, fishing with friends, Earl Joseph Le Blanc suffered a heart attack and passed away on the North Fork of the Shoshone River on Aug. 24, 2011. He was 77.
Earl was born July 20, 1934, to George and Lillie (Bachamp) Le Blanc in Concordia, Kan.
Earl had two sisters, Teresa and Arlene, and three brothers, Bernard, Elmer and George. Earl had a challenging childhood as his father died when he was 11. In an effort to support his family, he moved into a boarding home and worked at a local dairy while attending high school.
Earl met and married Carla Cuthbertson in 1956, and they followed Carla’s parents, Cliff and Edith Cuthbertson, to Casper in 1957.
Earl completed an apprentice program for carpentry when he was 20, beginning a lifelong career of building.
After working extensively in Casper, Gillette and Sheridan, Earl moved to Powell in 1968. He launched Le Blanc Construction in 1969, employing numerous local carpenters and giving many high school students their first job. Le Blanc Construction built numerous landmarks in Powell, including Hansel & Gretel’s, the Park County Annex and a significant remodel of St. Barbara’s Catholic Church.
In the early 1970s, Earl built residential homes in the Mountain Shadows and Powell Lumber subdivisions.
He also custom built the Cross Bow Ranch and remodeled the Two Dot Ranch. His hard work and designs will live on for generations with the custom homes around Powell which have greatly enhanced the historical preservation in Wyoming.
Earl was dearly loved by everyone who knew him. He had an abundance of friends and seemed to know someone everywhere he went. It was not uncommon to be on vacation in another country, and see someone that he knew. It became common knowledge among family that he would probably see someone he knew whenever he went somewhere.
He was a fun loving man and enjoyed playing jokes on friends and family who were generally unsuspecting but always willing to participate. The people close to Earl never knew who was going to be the next victim, but knew the outcome would be a riot.
Earl was an avid hunter, a fisherman, loved helping his friends and community, and enjoyed traveling and gardening. He was heavily involved with St. Barbara’s Catholic Church and attended regularly. If Earl wasn’t helping the people of the town or the church, he could be found fishing with friends.
His family takes comfort in knowing he is in heaven, where he can fish everyday and see some of his best friends and family.
Earl was preceded in death by his father George, mother Lillie, and brother George.
He is survived by his wife Carla of more than 55 years; his sons Mark (Robin), Cliff (Janna) and Brent (Felicia); daughters Marla Pierson and Carle (Gary) Williams; his grandchildren include Kelley, Derrek, Ciarra, Nicholas, Conner, Jackson, Kane, Dalan, Trenton, Amber, Shane, Reed, Randy, Rusty and Sasha; and great-grandchildren Hunter and Cheyenne.
Funeral services were held Monday at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Powell.
Donations in Earl’s memory may be sent to St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Powell.
Thompson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
