Clell Richard "Dick" Claar

Clell Richard "Dick" Claar, 75, of Moorcroft, passed away at home on Tuesday, October 11, 2022.

Dick was born on September 22, 1947 to Clell R and Evelyn (Kimsey) Varner in Alameda, CA. He graduated high school in Aurora, CO.

After high school, he returned to Moorcroft and met his lifelong love, Johnnie Faye Farnsworth. They were married in Newcastle on November 26, 1965.

He was drafted and served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968; he loved his country and was very proud of this service.

Dick and Johnnie Faye made their home in Moorcroft and raised three daughters, Kristi, Niki and Melissa.

He worked in the oil fields for a few years prior to the couple purchasing the Standard gas station, which they ran for several years. Dick then went to work at Buckskin Mine for 25 years before retiring.

He was a very hard worker and gave everything he had, coming to work any time they needed him – day or night. He believed that if you weren't half an hour early, you were late.

He served as Mayor of Moorcroft for two different terms and was happy to serve his community, as he loved Moorcroft. Dick was always talking about things to do to improve the community.

He loved fishing with his son-in-law and grandchildren and spent many days on Keyhole with his daughter, Kristi dreaming about the next big walleye.

Dick was a very hard worker and a proud man. He had a difficult time allowing anyone to help him. Everything he ever did was for his family and he loved to visit and talk about his grandparents, parents, brothers – just about anything from years ago.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Mike and Charles Claar, father-in-law Les Farnsworth, granddaughter Heaven Lea and great grandson Derek Dani Neiger.

He is survived by his wife, Johnnie Faye Claar of Moorcroft; brother Kendall Claar of Myrtle Beach, SC; mother-in-law Helen Farnsworth of Gillette; daughters Kristi VanHorn of Moorcroft, Niki Crackenberger (TJ) of Sheridan and Melissa Selfe of Gillette; grandchildren Lacey Gibbons (JT); Andrew, Lisa and Lexi VanHorn; Drake (Tiffney), Briionna (Austin) and Derek (Dani) Neiger; Jacob and Kyle Crackenberger; Andrea Garlick and Gracie Lara (Kyle).

He had 19 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial donations to honor Dick may be made to West Texas Trail Museum, 100 E. Weston Street, Moorcroft, WY, 82721.

A celebration of life will be held at the Moorcroft Town Center on October 22 at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow.