Charles "Charlie" Nearing

A celebration of life for CHARLES “CHARLIE” NEARING will be held 2pm Wednesday February 19, 2025, at the Fort Laramie Community Center with David Breedon officiating. Burial will follow in the Fort Laramie Cemetery. Lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the Ft. Laramie Volunteer Fire department. Charlie passed away February 9, 2025, at 91 years of age at Torrington Community Hospital and cremation has taken place. Charles was born on August 15, 1933, to Roy and Elaine Nearing in Torrington Wy. He went to school at Ft Laramie Country School up until the 9th grade. Then he went on to graduate high school from Ft Laramie High School. After graduation, he decided to go into ranching, just like many generations of ranchers before him. He showed registered Hereford Cattle at the Goshen County Fair, as well as several other areas in and around Wyoming. He also branched out into Black Angus Cattle when the Hereford market went downhill. He worked 16 campaigns at the Torrington sugar beet factory, He sat on several committees and boards throughout his life. His first passion in life was ranching on his family’s property, the Nearing Ranch. On June 25th, 1955, he married his love of his life, Retha Janet Haefele, from Guernsey, Wyoming, in Bridgeport, Nebraska. He and Janet had 4 children, Gene, Mark, Terry, and Charlene. The three older sons would unfortunately pass early in their lives. This would not deter Charlie from living his life to the fullest. He always had faith in Jesus Christ. He loved his family, and the many friends he made throughout the years. He was a very active member with his wife of the Fort Laramie Community Presbyterian Church. It was said that you could set your clock by the time that they would go out on Friday afternoons, 4:00 on the dot. Usually, these trips out would be for a “Rancher’s date” that typically involved cattle. Whether it was a cattle sale or an auction. If it involved cows or a neighbor needing help, Charlie would be there. You could also bank on Charlie and Janet being at the supper club, where they played pinochle and other various card games with their friends. In 2012, Charlie and Janet bought and moved into a house in Torrington, for ease of access to necessary facilities. In their twilight years, they witnessed the marriage of their daughter Charlene to David Cole and their two granddaughters. They also attended the births of two of their great-granddaughters, Cora and Adeline. They were the lights of his life. His favorite title was Grandpa Charlie to so many. He is survived by his wife Janet Nearing, daughter Charlene Cole, granddaughters, Sara (Jacob) Peterson , Retha (Sean) Cummings, and Andrea Campuzano, three Great-Granddaughters Arianna Peterson, Cora Peterson, and Adeline Cummings. He is also survived by his brother, Harry Nearing, sister-in-law Maxine Reed and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Roy and Elaine, Two Sisters Beverly and Macel, his three sons Gene, Mark, Terry and his only Son in Law David.

Charles "Charlie" Nearing

August 15, 1933 - February 9, 2025