Robert Richard Mackey

Robert Richard Bob Mackey passed away January 28, 2011 at Pioneer Manor in Gillette of natural causes. He was born on the family homestead 60 miles south of Gillette on April 30, 1924 to William P. and Rhoda Rachel (Hamilton) Mackey, the youngest of eight children. He grew up on the family ranch and received his grade school education at the country school of Teckla. He received his high school education from Morton High School while living with his oldest sister, Vera Rogers in Riverton. He married Dorothy Yvonne Niles on March 5, 1945 in Gillette and eight children were born into the family. They started their married life in a sheep wagon ranching with his parents on the family ranch, purchasing it upon the death of his dad, and raising sheep and cattle. He operated dirt moving equipment in the summer, building reservoirs through the ASCS and various roads in southern Campbell County, and was part of the initial strip mining of what is now Antelope Coal Mine. As the coal mine industry in southern Campbell County expanded in the 1970s, the family ranch was sold to one of the mines and Bob & Dorothy purchased the Spencer Ranch on Piney Creek and spent several years ranching there. Upon Dorothys death in 1987, Bob took up residence at Teckla where he ultimately became known as the mayor of Teckla to the small community of coal miners residing there. He had a gift of storytelling and could tell many tales of events and history of Campbell County and some of its citizens. Many hours were spent reading and he had an extensive collection of Louis LAmour books he enjoyed. He liked poetry and entertained family and friends by reciting his favorites, one of them being The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert Service. He expressed his artistic talent in bottle etchings, wood carvings, and paintings which he passed on to his children and grandchildren. He was proud of his family and their accomplishments. He calf roped and bulldogged in his early years and team roped with his children and grandchildren in later years. He enjoyed watching his family participate in activities as they grew up, visiting with friends, playing pranks, and was even known to join in the water fights at family reunions. He is survived by three sons, Bert (Rhonda)Mackey of Wright, Dudley (Marilyn)Mackey of Gillette, and Tom (Sherry)Mackey of Nisland, South Dakota, two daughters, Debra (Roger) Lasater of Coalgate, Oklahoma and Billee (Bland) Burchett of Ridgecrest, California, two sisters, Elsie Bard of Buffalo, Wyoming, and Bess Sauble of Hemet, California, thirteen grandchildren, Brad Mackey, Kara Haney, Brandon Dorr, Paxton Mackey, Hollie Margarella, Christopher Burchett, Scott Mackey, Amanda Fiedor, Don Evans, Teresa Evans, Tanya Bryan, Burt Williams, Sarah Kjorstad, Nicholas Schabot , Jesse Schabot, 22 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Dorothy, daughters, Dorothy Roberta Bobbie Evans, and Jacqueline Louise Jackie Williams, infant son, David Lynn Mackey, son-in-law, Donald Evans, brothers, Burton, Joe, and Bill Mackey, and sisters, Vera Rogers and Rose McLaughlin. Graveside services are scheduled for Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at Mount Pisgah Cemetery with Mike Morrison, church at The Barn officiating, followed by fellowship at the cemetery shelter. Memorial donations may be made to the memorial of the donor's choice. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or condolences via the internet at www.gillettememorialchapel.com.Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716