Vernon "Bud" Clarke,

Vernon W. ‘Bud’ Clarke, Jr., 79, died Friday, May 6, 2011, at his home in Torrington. Cremation has taken place and the burial of both his ashes and those of his wife Evelyn will take place some time in late summer in Hermosa, S.D.Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, May 20, at the Colyer Funeral Home Chapel in Torrington with Reverend Karen Anderson officiating.Those who wish may direct memorial contributions to "Meals on Wheels" at the Torrington Senior Friendship Center.Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home of Torrington and friends are invited to send condolences to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com Bud was born Sept. 28, 1931, in Rapid City, S.D. the son of Vernon W. and Orpha (Mills) Clarke, Sr. He grew up and attended schools at Hermosa, S.D. and Venice, Calif. Bud then joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Guam. He returned to Rapid City and started working at Safeway and later became store manager. Bud married Evelyn Heutzenroeder on Oct. 29, 1955, in Rapid City. In 1964 the couple moved to Gering, where a new Safeway store was just opening and Bud came in as manager. He managed that store until its closure in 1980 and then moved to Torrington, Wyo. where he again managed a Safeway store. He retired from Safeway 1987 and then went to work over the span of the next 20 years at Holly Sugar and Western Sugar; retiring in September of 2010. Bud enjoyed fishing and camping, reading, doing yardwork, and playing KENO. He was a member of the Battle River Masonic Lodge #92 of Hermosa, S.D. where he received his 50-year pin. Bud was also a past member of the American Legion and VFW, and he was an Episcopalian. Survivors include his sons, Victor Clarke of White Clay and children, Jesse, Zach and Colter all of White Clay; Gary (Brenda) Clarke of Newcastle, Wyo. and children Amy (Bryce) Hoffman (and their son Davyn); and Brian Clarke and Cami Clarke all of Newcastle; daughter, Liz (Mark) Gwin of Gering, and their children Haley (James) Stewart of Ely, Nev., and Delaney Gwin of Gering. Survivors also include his nephews, Paul Hackler and Bill (Mary) Hackler all of California. Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife, and sister, Joan Hackler.