Milford Wayne "Moose" Eversole

Milford Wayne “Moose” Eversole, 76, of Powell, Wyoming, beloved husband of Mary Sue (Suzie) Eversole, passed away on Friday April 12, 2013 surrounded by family at home.  He is survived by his loving wife; granddaughter Alicia Fabbri and her husband Adam; granddaughter Bridget Yount; as well as other relatives and many friends.  Moose was born October 25, 1936 in Rock Springs, Wyoming to Clarence Milford Eversole and Grace Alicia Manning.  He grew up in Wyoming, spent most of his career in Colorado and the last twenty-one years of retirement in Powell, Wyoming.  He is predeceased by his parents; sister Ira Alicia; children Milford Ryan, David Wayne, and Milford Paul; and, grandson Michael.

Growing up in Rock SpringsWyoming, Moose spent most of his summers in the mountains herding sheep.  What he enjoyed most was time spent with his uncles in the mountains oron the Eversole ranch in southwest Wyoming.  He loved breaking and riding horses.  Even after he graduated from high school, he looked forward to returning to the ranch for branding or shipping cattle. His nickname on the ranch was ‘Tuff’.  He was an all-star athlete all four years of high school, playing football, basketball, and track, received many accolades.  Sports opened the doorway to college when he received a football scholarship.  He graduated from Westminister College in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.  He later finished his Master’s degree in Physical Education at Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado in1966.  He started to pursue his doctoral degree in education, but realized he was more interested in teaching young kids than administration.  He served the youth throughout his teaching and coaching career.  He started out teaching grades 4-8 in the railroad section of town of Bitter Creek.  He then taught high school English in Wheatland, Wyoming where he also coached wrestling and football.  While earning his Master’s degree he was a graduate teaching assistant and coached all sports.  During this time he served on the 1986 Olympic Committee.  He had the pleasure of meeting Jesse Owens, an American track and field athlete and gold medalist of the 1936 Berlin Olympics.  He spent most of career teaching Physical Education and English at Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado.  He coached football, basketball, and wrestling.  He was part of the Literary Guild, which was cover for the men’s poker club.  Youth and sports were his calling in life.  He launched the recreation program in Metro State College.  Moose never really followed the rules and always forged the way, doing his own thing and enjoying every minute of it.  He retired from Fairview High School in 1992 and located in Powell, Wyoming.              

What Moose loved most in life was his family.  He met his wife Suzie in 1956 at the University of Wyoming.  The literally hit it off when she slapped him after he was dared to pinch her at a local dance.  After proposing Moose-style (“let’s just get married”), they married July 31, 1958 in Cody, Wyoming.  Moose and Sue were sealed in the Billings Temple August 2000.  They raised three strong sons David, Paul, and Doug and lost their other son Milford at childbirth.  

Moose was active in the community and at church.  He and his wife served a mission for the LDS Church in the Arkansas Little Rock Mission in 2007.  He served and supported the Boy Scouts.  Being a proponent  of how important past history has to today’s world, he was active in the Wyoming Historical Society .  He could be found at local actions almost any weekend, out bidding everyone for any John Wayne memorabilia. He had the best retirement, traveling the world. Moose-style, he preferred to travel the back roads and unfamiliar pathways. Moose and Sue traveled most of Europe, and the U.S.  They loved researching history and eating banana splits wherever they went.  A favorite trip was to China.  Their last trip last November was to Israel and Egypt, pretty much completing their Bucket List Moose made friends wherever they traveled.

Moose was famous for his woodwork.  In early years he sold his work at craft shows, but couldn’t make much money because he was more interested in socializing and giving it all away.  His work is visible in many homes throughout the Powell area.   His woodshop was open to anyone who wanted to learn or build something.  His grandson-in-law, Adam, who admired Moose, loved to learn from him and make things.  He absolutely loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He was a great teacher and was always playing with his own kids or the neighbor kids. His grandson Mike and great grandson Jordan were great help during the last years as Moose battled cancer.  

Moose will always be remembered as a loving husband, caring father and grandfather, and spiritual giant loved by friends, family, and the community.  

Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm, Thursday, April 18, 2013 at Church of Jesus Christ – Latter Day Saints, 1026 Avenue E,
Powell, Wyoming.  Thompson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the friends, family, the community, Thompson Funeral Home, and everyone who have shown so much support during this difficult time. We thank God for the gift of his life and the blessing of the time we spent with him.

Memorial donations can be sent to Powell Valley Hospice, 777 Avenue H, Powell, WY 82435.