Norlyn Judy

Norlyn "Sam" L. Judy passed away Oct. 1, 2015 at the age of 94. Sam was born Sept. 16, 1921 in Burns, WY., to Bryan and Ruth (Ballard) Judy. He graduated from La Grange High School. Sam's life at the beginning was not easy. The family lost the farm during the depression. Trapping for fur pelts, gathering bones, skinning thousands of rabbits from rabbit drives and selling the carcasses in Cheyenne, helped with buying the essentials of life. Gathering Buffalo chips put heat in the stove in winter. A hot potato in each pocket made the 10-mile walk to school bearable and was lunch too. After graduation Sam went to work for the Wilkinson Ranch in Pine Bluffs. It was there that he met the love of his life, Mary Alice Laycock. They married on June 12th, 1942. A daughter (Roberta) was born to them in April of 1943. It would be almost ten years before a son was born (Samuel) in November of 1952. "It wasn't form lack of trying" Sam would say. A second son (Thomas) came along seventeen months later in April of 1954. Sam had many jobs: building homes in Cheyenne, building railroad cars, and working the combine circuit from Texas to Canada. He was Forman of both the Hanway (Gothberg) Ranch and Banner (Teton) homes. He was a Cabinet maker at Western Cabinets, a homebuilder, and a Superintendent of maintenance for Natrona County Airport. Working with both sons later in life was his best job. A cowboy at heart, he loved roping and shared his love of horses with his daughter. Sam was the first to offer a hand to family and friends. Retirement for Sam meant more time for fishing and many trips with Mary Alice to Wendover and Las Vegas. (Mary Alice was the lucky one.) The deepest tragedy in Sam's life was when he lost his daughter Roberta. The sparkle in his eyes was not as bright after her death. "Trying to breathe life back into your child is something I hope no one ever has to do." Sam would say. Sam's life was one of great triumphs and heart wrenching tragedies, but you never knew it. His strength and love for his family and friends always came first. Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Bryan and Ruth, daughter, Roberta, wife Mary Alice, son and daughter in-law Samuel and Karen (Beyer) Judy. He is survived by his son, Thomas and his partner Larry Moore and beloved grand daughter, Rachel Judy, many nieces and nephews and his "Special Sons" Kevin Grey, Van Galloway and Matt Krum. To his Bowling and Bingo buddies, if you hear a good joke, remember Sam, he would love it.