John B. Etchepare

John B. Etchepare died November 24, 2013 at home in Fort Collins, surrounded by his family. Heaven needed another shepherd. He was born in Helena, Montana April 22, 1939 to Paul and Hellen Dean Etchepare. After graduating from Randall High School in Denver, he attended Montana State University and was employed by Martin Marietta before managing a lamb feeding operation. He married Katherine Schraeder in 1961 and they had five children. She preceded him in death in 1990. For over 30 years John operated his family's Warren Livestock Company, with his father and brother until its sale in 2000. Additionally, he served as a Director on many state, regional and national Boards. He was a past President of the Wyoming Wool Growers, Western Range Association and the Old West Museum, and served on the Boards of the Production Credit Association, the American Sheep Industry, and the American Lamb Feeders. In 2009 he retired as the State of Wyoming Director of Agriculture. John is survived by his wife, Karen Rose; seven children: Mike Kerry Etchepare of Emporium, Pennsylvania, Mark Kolette Etchepare of Cheyenne, Janine Jon Roaldson, Bismarck, North Dakota; John Etchepare Jr. Corrina, Cheyenne; Robert Etchepare Valerie of Colorado, Jim Susie Brailsford of Fort Collins, and John Sarah Brailsford of Fort Collins and twelve grandchildren. He is also survived by four siblings, Claire Markowitz of Nevada, Angie Colin Carter of Australia; Toni Bill Thomson of Cheyenne; and Paul Etchepare Jr. of Laramie. His parents, youngest brother, Ralph Etchepare, and brother-in-law, Mark Markovitz preceded him in death. John chose to donate his organs for the study of pancreatic and prostate cancer, and Alzheimer's research. Cremation is under Bohlender Funeral Chapel, Fort Collins. The family invites friends to a celebration of life reception at Little America, 2800 West Lincolnway, Cheyenne, WY on November 30 from 4-6 pm. In lieu of flowers he suggested donations be made to Cure Alzheimer's Fund www.curealz.org or Pancreatic Cancer Research www.pancan.org or the charity of your choice.