David “Charlie” Person, 85, of Pine Bluffs, WYO died January 23, 2016 at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center.

He was born November 13, 1930 in Kimball, NE to David and Doris (Moyer) Person. He lived almost his entire life on the family farm in Banner County along the Nebraska-Wyoming state line, where his Grandfather from Sweden had staked his claim at the turn of the century. He rode a horse to the Epworth School in his youth and graduated from Albin High School. He married the love of his life, Viola Lemaster on June 1, 1952 in Pine Bluffs. They lived in the same small humble country home for 62 years before relocating to Pine Bluffs in 2014.

Charlie began working farms and ranches for relatives and neighbors at a very young age and milked cows for over 30 years. He then worked for the Banner County Road Department for 42 years and became one of the first two licensed highway superintendents in Nebraska. He spent approximately 25 years as highway superintendent and during much of that time also served as the county weed superintendent and emergency manager. He was honored by his peers in the statewide highway and weed associations for his dedicated work and knowledge. Charlie took great pride in managing Banner County’s several hundred miles of county roads and training dozens in the skills of heavy equipment operating. He also served a term as Banner County Commissioner.

He was a member of the St. Paul’s Catholic Church for 64 years, earned the 4th Degree in the Knights of Columbus and served 8 consecutive years as the Grand Knight for Council 7789. One of his proudest leadership moments was erecting the Beatitudes and Ten Commandments tablet in front of the church at a time the nation’s leadership was removing the same from federal buildings. He was also a member of the Scottsbluff Elks Lodge where he and Pee Wee (Viola) would often dance the night away with friends.

He was a man with incredible strength from a lifetime of labor, but his heart and demeanor was known by family and friends as gentle, caring, and loving. His unique sense of humor and zest for enjoying life always brought happiness to those around him no matter what life’s dark clouds of despair might offer. During Lent for many years he led the Stations of the Cross at St. Joseph’s Catholic mission. He loved playing Santa Claus for events in the Banner County, Albin and Pine Bluffs community and fit the part well. He spent many years umpiring baseball games in Albin and always raised a huge garden where he invented his famous and delicious “Charlie Beans” which were coveted by all. We will miss his stories about growing up in the Dirty 30’s and surviving the ’49 Blizzard with his siblings and friends stranded on a country road, but rescued by a generous man who opened his humble country shack and limited food supply to all. Charlie’s wealth in life was measured simply by the respect and love he had from family and friends.

Everyone affectionately knew Charlie and Viola as “Mommy-O” and “Daddy-O” and their kitchen table and home were often the social center for family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Viola, of Pine Bluffs and his children, Gary (Joyce) Person of North Platte, NE; Rita (James) Stauffer of Harrisburg; John (Marion) Person of Norfolk, VA; Kimberly (Kip) Geenstreet of Littleton, CO and Dee Dee (David) Shade of Bentonville, AR; sister Joanne Taylor of Burns, WY, brother Richard (Louise) Person of Albin; brother-in-law John Lemaster of Albin, 12 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and numerous friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.

A funeral liturgy will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at the St. Paul’s Catholic Church with Fr. Kevin Koch celebrating interment of his urn which will follow at the Pine Bluffs Cemetery. Services are under the care of Schrader Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.schradercares.com. Memorials may be left to the Pine Bluffs Knights of Columbus Council 7789 or the St. Joseph’s Albin Church building fund at P.O. Box 315, Pine Bluffs, WY 82082.

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