Alva Connolly

TORRINGTON, WYOMING...........Funeral services for ALVA GERALD CONNOLLY 77, will be held at 2pm, Monday, December 8, 2008 at the First Wyoming United Presbyterian Church with Reverend Curtis Hill officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Valley View Cemetery. Gerald died December 4, 2008 at the Goshen Care Center. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to either the Church or the Shriner’s Hospital. The casket will be closed. Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home and friends may send condolences to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com. Gerald was born July 15, 1931 on the family homestead near Hawk Springs, Wyoming the son of Alva and Jennie (Sherman) Connolly. The family moved to Torrington, Wyoming when he was young and he attended and graduated from Torrington High School. He attended Junior College for a time before being drafted into the USMC. He served during the Korean Conflict. Upon his discharge he returned to school at the University of Wyoming where he earned a BS in Geology and later a JD in Law. He practiced law with Joe Maier in Torrington until he was elected Goshen County Attorney where he served four years. Gerald married Margaret “Peg” Kirkpatrick on August 20, 1960 in Torrington. In the early 1980's he was appointed the first Goshen County Judge. He retired from that in 2000. He entered the Goshen Care Center in November of 2007. Gerald enjoyed hunting, fishing, yard work and reading. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Shrine Club, the First Wyoming United Presbyterian Church where he served as elder, deacon, and trustee. He was also a member of the VFW, the American Legion, was a past Scout Master, and served as a Goshen County representative on the UW Alumni Association. Gerald is survived by his wife Peg of Torrington; a daughter, Karla Light and her husband Jim of Lexington Park, Maryland; two sons, Kent Connolly and his wife Raylene of Palmer, Alaska and Terry Connolly and his wife Jennifer of Cheyenne, Wyoming; two sisters, Colleen Johnson of Bakersfield, California and Pat Connolly of Tucson, Arizona; and six grandchildren, Nicholas, Zackary, Anthony, Andrew, Alexx, and Amelia. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Don.

Alva Connolly

July 15, 1931 - December 4, 2008