Kathy Janell Daves

Kathy Janell Daves (Parker) was born July 15, 1951 in Edmond, Oklahoma and adopted four days later to Howard A. and Anna Mae (Stevens) Parker. She passed away peacefully Saturday evening May 9, 2020, at the Crook County Memorial Hospital in Sundance, Wyoming, after a short battle with bone cancer.

Kathy grew up near Edmond and graduated from Deer Creek High School. Kathy proudly received her college degree upon graduating from Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota, with a Bachelor of General Studies in May of 2014. It was her life’s desire to teach local children the history of this area she called home.

Kathy lived life her own way, but trusted the spirits to guide her. Besides her home in Oklahoma, she spent time living and working in California and New Mexico, going home to take care of her ailing mother then finally settling in Wyoming.

While living in Oklahoma, she worked as a dispatcher for the Guthrie, Oklahoma, police department, at Furrows Flower Shop and the Cracker Barrel Restaurant. Kathy was a highly commended police dispatcher for a time in Stanislaus County while living in California.

Kathy met her eventual connection to Wyoming, her oldest and dearest friend Julie, while living and working in Eagle Nest, New Mexico. Kathy came to Wyoming to visit Julie, then returned to Guthrie to take care of her mother.

She moved to Wyoming permanently to settle in the Sundance area, after spending some time with Julie and her new husband on their ranch near Upton.

Kathy never met a stranger. She was very compassionate, and shared her love with all, people and animals. She loved the outdoors, her truck and her peaceful cabin where she resided just north of Sundance.

Kathy was an amazing waitress in several area restaurants and made life-long friends with her customers and co-workers. Kathy especially enjoyed her short, but memorable career with the Forest Service, working in the trails and recreation division. She and her crewmate spent two seasons patrolling the Bear Lodge District roads in their green truck fondly named “Tommy Tonka”.

Kathy was an incredibly knowledgeable ambassador for the state, serving the traveling public for several years at the Northeast Wyoming Visitor’s Center and as an interpreter at the Vore Buffalo Jump. She loved informing visitors of all the tales and sagas of the Old West as it pertains to this area and this great state.

For a short time, Kathy even drove a small school bus for the local school district. Most recently, until the time of her death, she served as the director of the Crook County Food Pantry, taking calls at any time to deliver food and necessities to newcomers and the less fortunate of our community.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents and beloved aunts and uncles and will now enjoy once again the companionship of her loyal canine friends who passed before her.

Kathy is survived by her daughters, Jennifer of southern California and Sarah of Pryor, Oklahoma; granddaughters, Kora, Madyson and Cynthia and grandson, Jayden. She is also survived by a host of great nieces, nephews, cousins and scores of unforgettable friends, many of whom she “adopted” as members of her family.

Kathy left a lasting impression on all of us. She will be dearly missed by everyone who knew and loved her. Rest in peace Kathy, may you fly with the angels and watch over all of us whom you hold near and dear.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance. Online condolences may be written at http://www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com