Robert "Hiram" Catlett

Robert Hiram Catlett, 83, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2024 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He
was born on February 25, 1941 in Frederick, Oklahoma, to Robert Harold Catlett and Arteen
Dean Catlett.
Hiram was the caboose of the family and quickly became the darling of his three older sisters,
who equally spoiled him in every way possible and tormented him as only older sisters could.
But lest we feel sorry for him, Hiram, always with a twinkle in his eyes, regaled us with many
stories of his particular methods of pestering the girls; Sarah Jane in particular. The adventures of
Carolyn, Peggy, Sarah Jane and Hiram have entertained us all over the years!
In 1960, Hiram joined the United States Navy and served in Vietnam as a US Navy Diver. While
stationed in San Diego, he met and married Byrldine Marie Rix on May 9, 1964. In 1966 they
had their first son in Honolulu, Hawaii, Robert Barton Catlett. After moving back to California,
they had two more sons, Corwin Nowlin Catlett in 1968 and Toby Dean Catlett in 1971. Their
fourth son Jamey Tyler Catlett was born in Texas in 1973. 2 years after Jamey was born, Deenie
was taken away from this world after the family experienced a tragic car accident, leaving Hiram
a single parent. Rather than splitting up the family, Hiram cinched down the saddle and rode on.
His sense of wonder and love for new places and adventures started early on family camping
trips. He spent many family trips hunting and fishing. “Jesus loves me this I know” was a song
he was taught early and he sang it all his life, sometimes he sang it robustly and sometimes it was
barely a whisper, Hiram knew Jesus.
If Hiram had a superpower, it was being sociable. He was an extrovert in the truest sense of the
word and he never met a stranger. He taught us all lessons on how to love strangers. Hiram was
an exceptional cook and there wasn’t a dish he wouldn't attempt and there wasn’t an unwelcome
guest at his table. If you ever spent time in a kitchen with Hiram you were quickly offered the
chance to be his sous chef. You might chop, season, stir or saute or you might wash, dry and put
away but when the meal was over you knew that you were loved. Despite his kitchen expertise,
not every dish was a masterpiece. There were lumps, bumps and burned edges, but he never
stopped cooking. Life for Hiram was like his cooking, sometimes it was great and sometimes it
wasn’t, but he never stopped trying. He often told us to learn from what he did right and what he
did wrong. We will miss him and we will remember the lessons he taught us.
Hiram is preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Teena Catlett, his sisters Carolyn Burrows,
Peggy McClure, Sarah Jane Morgan, and his first wife Bryldine Marie Rix Catlett and son
Robert Barton Catlett.
He is survived by sons Corwin “Cory” Nowlin Catlett and wife Kristen, Toby Dean Catlett and
wife JoAnn, Jamey Tyler Catlett and wife Maki and daughter-in-law Amy Catlett. His
grandchildren Alissa Catlett Pean and husband Kyle, Jessica Catlett Williams and husband Isaac,
Olivia Catlett, Julia Catlett, Nichole Catlett Wamsley and husband Justin, Justin Catlett and wife
DeLane, Rachel Catlett, Mia Catlett, Dillon Catlett, Sheon Catlett, and Chase Saviano. Hiram
was blessed with eight great-grandchildren Elizabeth Pean, Jack Pean, Samuel Pean, Max
Wamsley, James Wamsley, Lilah Wamsley, Ayla Catlett, and Vynn Catlett.
Memorial service to be held Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Laramie County Community College in
Cheyenne, Wyoming, 11 am.
In lieu of flowers please share thoughtful memories, donate to the Catlett Family Farm, or donate
to Veterans’ Rock Cheyenne.