Carl L. Lathrop

Carl L. Lathrop, 91, died peacefully December 24, 2019 at Primrose Retirement Community in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Carl was born December 7, 1928 in Pocatello, Idaho, the son of Carleton A. and Marie Lathrop. Carl and his parents moved to Cheyenne when Carl was 6 months old. He was a graduate of Cheyenne High School in 1946 and enlisted in the Army that year. He was a Veteran of World War II, serving in Japan in the Occupation Forces for 1 year. He enrolled in the University of Colorado at Boulder in early 1948 and received his B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Colorado. While in school he met Wilma Galles of Casper, Wyoming. They were married in 1951. Wilma was the love of his life and best friend for 68 years. Carl was an exceptional athlete and was active in sports from grade school through college, during his time in the Army, and up to his last handball game which he played on his 75th birthday.
After starting his career as a lawyer in Cheyenne, Carl moved his family to Sundance in 1955 and practiced law with Otis Reynolds until early 1958. Carl then came back to Cheyenne to practice law with his father, Carleton Lathrop. They practiced together until his father was attacked while on a business trip to Chicago in early 1967. Carl’s mother passed away shortly after going to Chicago to see her husband, who was in a coma. Carl’s father passed away a few days later.
Carl continued his practice of law in Cheyenne until 2018. He was one of the most highly regarded and respected lawyers in the region, both for his litigation expertise as well as his expertise in business matters. He served as president of the Wyoming State Bar (1980-81) and was elected by his peers as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1980 and the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel in 1988. He represented a wide variety of clients, from huge corporations to physicians and other prominent individuals. But he also took time to represent ordinary people regardless of their ability to pay and gave each of them the same extraordinarily high level of attention and care. Notable business clients he enjoyed representing in the Cheyenne area included the American National Bank, the Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities, and the Cheyenne Newspapers. His thoughtful, calm and intelligent guidance and his commitment to doing the right thing were his hallmarks along with his courteous and respectful manner towards friend and foe alike. He worked hard to ensure his clients were always well-represented and was working in his office most evenings and weekends up until the last few years of his career. His mentoring of the many young lawyers who worked at his firm has been invaluable to the careers of those who had the privilege of working with him.
As with most successful people, Carl’s participation in community activities was much like his legal career. While living in Sundance, Carl was president of what is now the Sundance Chamber of Commerce and was on the vestry of the Sundance Episcopal Church. After moving to Cheyenne Carl served on the vestry of St. Mark’s Episcopal church before converting to the Catholic faith in 1980. He was a volunteer for Cheyenne Frontier Days for many years and served on the General Committee for the shows from 1964 through 1966, was a member of the CFD Heels, and a member of the CFD Buckle Club. Carl served on the School Board for the Cheyenne Public Schools (1964-70; served on the Board of Trustees for what is now known as STRIDE Learning Center for 8 years and as president of the Board for 1 year; served on the Board of Directors for many years and as president for 1 year of the Industrial Development Association of Cheyenne (predecessor of LEADS); and was a longtime member of Rotary and headed the Rotary Student Exchange Program for 2 years.
Carl was an extraordinary person. He was kind to all and a great friend to many, many people. He was a loyal friend and took time to visit and comfort friends during times of illness and need. He almost never spoke a bad word about anyone, even those who may have earned it. He was loved and respected by all who knew him.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents; son, Steve Lathrop; daughter-in-law, Debra Lathrop; and granddaughter, Morgan H. Perdue.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Wilma Lathrop; daughters, Gail Wilson (Clint), Gwen Perdue (Dan), and Diana Martin; son, Kent Lathrop; brother, Joe Lathrop; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren.
Funeral Liturgy will be Thursday, January 16, 2020, 10:00 a.m., at St. Mary’s Cathedral.
Friends may contribute to Climb Wyoming, Davis Hospice, or the CRMC Foundation.