Wendell Grapes

TORRINGTON, WY . . . . Funeral services for WENDELL E. GRAPES, 76, will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at the United Methodist Church with Reverend Ora Dailey officiating. Burial will follow in the Valley View Cemetery. Wendell died on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at his home in Torrington. Visitation hours will be held at the Colyer Funeral Home on Friday, November 20 from 3pm to 7pm and the casket will be open at the church service. Those who wish may direct memorial contributions to either the United Methodist Church or to the Senior Friendship Center. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home and friends are invited to send condolences to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com Wendell, the son of Edwin and Agnes (Westerman) Grapes, was born on July 22, 1933 in the basement of the old Goshen County Court House at Torrington, Wyoming. He grew up on the family ranch in the Prairie Center Community. He attended school at the Prairie Center School until the 10th grade and then came to Torrington where he graduated in 1951. He married Shirley Frasier on October 16, 1952 at Torrington and the couple lived and worked on the ranch until 1970 when they moved in to Torrington so that their sons could attend Torrington schools. Wendell was appointed to the office of Goshen County Clerk in 1973 and then was elected to that office from 1974 until 1999 when he retired. He served 14 years on the Goshen County School Board and served on the Board of Directors at the Goshen County Senior Friendship Center for 16 years and was Chairman for 14 years. Wendell also was a livestock 4-H Leader. He was an avid reader and was a devoted fan of the Denver Broncos and Rockies, the Lakers, and the Wyoming Cowboys. Wendell was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Torrington Rotary Club, Goshen County Chamber of Commerce, Goshen County Stock Growers, and a member of the Farm Bureau. He is survived by his wife, Shirley of Torrington; three sons, Brad (Joy) Grapes and Bryan Grapes all of Torrington, and Steven (Cheryl) Grapes of Casper, Wyoming; a sister, Lucile Watt of Torrington and a brother Robert (Opal) Grapes of Raceland, Louisiana; four grandchildren Elizabeth (Abe) Correa; Toby (Jackie) Grapes, LeeAnn Grapes, and Dana Grapes; and two great grandchildren Evan Grapes and Mateo Correa. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Leroy Grapes.

Wendell Grapes

July 22, 1933 - November 18, 2009