James Ray Pope: August 15, 1944 — November 4, 2022
Memorial service for James Pope will be held at 11:00 a.m. on November 10, 2022, at Living Rock Church 2801 Antler RD. Gillette Wy 82718.
James Ray Pope passed away November 4, 2022 at 9:53 a.m. He was surrounded by his wife, sons and daughter in Gillette, WY. James was born Aug 15, 1944, in Strong City, Kansas to Clyve and Jewel Pope. Jim had one brother and two sisters; the family lived in Madison, KS. After Graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air force.
After completion of training as an air traffic controller he was stationed in Germany. Upon his return to the states, he met his wife Karen I Pope they were married July 8, 1970. After marriage they moved to Texas and had two sons Michael and Steven Pope.
In 1978 the family went on vacation to Wyoming. Upon returning to Texas, they packed up and moved to Wyoming. Jim worked the Oil and Gas industry as a roughneck and worked his way up to drilling consultant.
In 1981 Jim and Karen gave birth to a daughter Christina Pope. He started a business in Buffalo, WY in 1986 and about that same time he started preaching in Biddle, MT as a missionary. In 1988 he moved his business to Gillette, WY and began remote classes to become an Ordained Minister and received his license in 1998.
He continued to tend his flock in Biddle until 2010 when he retired after a total of 24 years. Jim was preceded in death by both his parents Clyve and Jewel Pope, and sisters Judy O’Brian and Leona “Kathy” Whisenhunt. He is survived by his wife, Karen Pope, his children Mike (Staci) and Steve (Jane) and Christina.
His grandchildren Jamie, Nicole, Kyler and Jaden and five great-grandchildren. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716.
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Wayne Overby: April 10, 1958 — October 27, 2022
Funeral service for Wayne Overby, 64, of Gillette, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, November 4, 2022 at Gillette Memorial Chapel with Erik Bergquist officiating. Mr. Overby died October 27, 2022.
Wayne Leslie Overby was born April 10, 1958 in Cooperstown, N.D., to Elmer and Edna Everson Overby. He was raised and educated in Cooperstown. When he completed school, he went to work in the oil and gas industry. His work in this field brought him to Gillette in the early eighties.
He married Diana Brenden January 26, 1985, the couple made their home in Gillette. Here he became a journeyman electrician working for CDK and then TIC. In 2004 he began working for Black Hills Power as I.T. specialist, he was working at Black Hills Power at the time of his death. Wayne could fix anything. He did his own plumbing, electrical, mechanics, Wayne made sure to transfer his knowledge to Travis.
He enjoyed Budweiser, football and NASCAR with his buddies. Sudoku and old Gunsmoke reruns were a favorite pastime. Wayne liked to camp and boat but his love was his family. He would drop anything and everything to help them anyway he could.
He will be remembered for his wise guy personality and ability to quit smoking for over 7 years now, something he was very proud of.
He is survived by his wife Diana Overby; children: Jackie Overby and Travis Overby; grandson Jaxon all of Gillette; siblings: Linda (Ron) Otto of Denver, Wanda Stark of Colorado Springs, Lonnie Overby of Hillsboro, N.D., Wesley (Sylvia) Overby of Cali.; Sisters and brothers-in-law: Gene and Kathy Erisman and Mike and Bev Bowen all of Gillette as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Lloyd. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be expressed at www.gillettememorialchapel.com
