Weldon Ray Borgaard

Weldon Ray Borgaard, 89, passed away peacefully in the early dawn January 1, 2024 at Davis Hospice Center in Cheyenne with family members by his side. Weldon was born April 7, 1934, in Beloit, KS to Ray and Ethel Borgaard. He graduated with honors from Cheyenne High School in 1952, from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s Degree, and from UNC in Greeley with a Master’s degree.
In high school he was active in student government, music, drama, and sports. He was President of the Student Body, was in the school musicals and dramas, was a member of All State and All District Choruses, as well as All State Basketball. He continued the similar activities during his college years. He received the “Outstanding Athlete Trophy,” was crowned “King Phillip,” and was Class President and Student Body Officer.
He was a teacher, coach, and administrator in Laramie County School District #1 for 37 years. As a classroom teacher for five years, he was an active member of C.T.E.A. and served as President of the organization. He was an Elementary School Principal for 32 years of his career in education at Pioneer Park, Arp, Churchill, Bain, and Anderson Schools.
During those years he supported his students by trying to attend all the school and outside activities of his students, in music, sports, theater, etc, while encouraging them to be involved in their communities. When he retired in 1993, the street in front of Anderson School was designated as Borgaard Road.
He was presented the American Educator’s Medal from the Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge, was recognized many years as an Outstanding Volunteer at the VA Hospital, was a part of the Interfaith Hospitality Network and involved with Jail Ministry. He served on the Special Friends Board of Directors for 12 years, serving as Chairman of the Board for two of those years.
He was an ardent sports and University of Wyoming fan. Weldon was quite an athlete himself. He was a High School All-State Basketball Player, on State Championship BB Teams, and on Legion Baseball Championship Teams. He played basketball at Nebraska University and Phillips University in Oklahoma.
He began announcing basketball and football for all the high schools with the opening of Okie Blanchard Stadium in 1958, at Okie’s request! He continued announcing East High basketball and football games for 58 years. In 2002, he was recognized by Laramie County School District #1 and East High School for his 44 years as PA Announcer for Cheyenne High School athletics and had the Press Box at the original Okie Blanchard Stadium named the “Weldon Borgaard Press Box.”
In 2008, Weldon was inducted into the Wyoming Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame for Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football.
Music was also a passion for Weldon. In addition to singing for weddings, funerals, and community events, he was a part of the Wyomingaires Barbershop Chorus since 1960, performed and sang with the City Sounds for 15 years, and sang with the Cheyenne Capital Chorale. The number of weddings and funerals for which he sang was enormous. His biggest joy was singing with his family as they performed together for many years.
He was active with the Melodrama at the Atlas Theater as an emcee, in olio acts and serving on the Melodrama Board of Directors. He appeared in many Cheyenne Little Theater and LCCC Theatrical and Musical Productions and was honored as a Lifetime Member of Cheyenne Little Theater. Weldon was a part of the Civitan International Community Service organization.
With the exception of the years he was attending college, he has been an active member of First Christian Church since 1943. Through the years, he wore every hat conceivable at the church, except pastor, and was the choir director there for 59 years. In September of 2019, following an illness and retirement as director of the choir, he was awarded the title of Choir Director Emeritus for decades of faithful service, as he continued to sing with the church choir.
Weldon was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Ethel Borgaard and his brother and sister-in-law, Kent and Mary Borgaard.
Surviving Weldon is his wife of 67 years, Martha; children, Keri Rizley (Kelly), Kathy Borgaard, Kurt Borgaard (Tina), and Krista Williams; grandchildren, Karson (Rachael), Jordan, Christian, Hunter, Kassidy, Kora, Kailey, Kolby, Tori, and Alexis.
A celebration of life will be held on January, 10 at 11:00 AM, First Christian Church in Cheyenne. Cremation has taken place. The service will be live streamed by the church at cheyennefcc.org and the church’s YouTube channel for those unable to attend the service in person.
In Lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to First Christian Church or East High School Athletics.