Dave W. Force, 91, of Cheyenne, saddled his last horse and rode into Glory Land on June 30, 2024. Funeral service will be at Highlands Presbyterian Church in Cheyenne. Graveside service will follow at Cheyenne Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Force passed away at home. Dave was born on July 4th, 1932, to Frank Marshall and Orda Mary Force, the seventh child of a family of eight children. He attended country school through the 4th grade and completed his elementary and secondary education in Gillette, Wyoming. He was a member of the FFA judging team, played varsity football and intermural basketball. He tried the sport of “boxing” which he said was not a sport since he lost so much blood.
Following graduation, he worked at a number of area rancher’s and participated in rodeos in the Gillette area. On January 5, 1953, he entered the United States Army and took basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was assigned to the 62nd Construction Engineer Battalion in Seoul South Korea and honorably discharged from service on October 5, 1954.
Dave returned to Gillette, and worked on the family ranch and spent his weekends in the rodeo arena. In 1957 he won the bull riding championship for the Northwest Ranch Cowboys Association. That same year he entered Casper Junior College with a rodeo scholarship. He earned his Associate’s degree in agriculture while rodeoing for the college.
On August 9, 1954, Dave and Norma C. Dobbs, were married in Sheridan, Wyoming. The couple lived in Gillette before moving to Laramie where Dave continued his education at the University of Wyoming. In May 1963 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Economics.
Following graduation, he was employed by the Wyoming State Land and Farm Loan Board. In 1984 he was appointed Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Appraisal and Service Leasing, a position he held until retirement. In 1986 he was recognized by “The Wyoming Chapter of the American Society”, as Public Administrator of the year.
After 35 years at the Land Office, he enjoyed life in retirement. Dave and Norma spent their winter months in Wickenburg, AZ. They both played golf at the many golf courses in the area. Dave also spent most of his time at “Jack Pot Roping’s” and in someone’s practice pen, while Norma spent her time playing cards.
Dave was a life member of the University of Wyoming “Alumni Association”, The Cowboy Joe Club, The Society for Range Management, and Highlands Presbyterian Church.
Proceeded in death by his loving wife, Norma; parents, Frank and Orda Mary, beloved daughter, Kathy Marie Boheler; four brothers, Frank Jr. (Evelyn) of Pheonix, Jim (Ruth) of Denver, Bob (Nellie) of Gillette, Don (Elaine) of Larame; twin sisters, Lois (Doug) Cruson, Nyssa OR, Louise (Gene) Robb, Lakewood, CO; and Doris (Jake) Sherman of Cheyenne.
He is survived by his children, Lloyd (Brenda) Force Peachtree City, GA., Barbara McAmis, Parker, CO, Janice (Matt) Hills, Wylie, TX.; son-in-law, Kevin Boheler, Cheyenne; seven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Viewing to take place Monday, July 8, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., in Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 9, 2024, in Highlands Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Kathy Bohler Scholarship Fund at the First Education Federal Credit Union, PO Box 20030 Cheyenne, WY 82003-7000 or the Highlands Presbyterian Church 2390 Pattison Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82009.