Johnny & Margaret Thon Files

October 13, 1955

Leroy Blackmore Takes Life in Casper Wednesday

Thon book No. 7

Oct. 12, 1955

Leroy Blackmore, 35, of Casper and formerly of Lusk and Niobrara County was found dead in his automobile in Casper about 4:15 a.m. Wednesday.

W. L. Bustard, Natrona County coroner, told the Herald that evidently Blackmore had taken his own life by shooting himself with a .30-30 calibre rifle between 11:00 p.m. Tuesday and 1:00 p.m. Wednesday. No inquest is scheduled.

Funeral arrangements are as yet only tentative. However, present plans call for a 10:00 a.m. service in Casper Saturday and a 2:00 p.m. service from the Peet Chapel in Lusk the same day with Rev. Jacob Nein officiating. Interment will be in the Lusk Cemetery.

He had been very well known in Lusk, having been a member of the Lusk B.P.O. Elks Lodge and served in the army during World War II and the Korean Conflict.

He is survived by his wife, Jean, and eight brothers and one sister. The brothers are: Clyde, Lusk; Theron, Casper: Edward R., Arlington, Va.; Harold, Buena, Wash.; Gene, Newcastle: Delmer, Denver; and Guy, Eugene, Ore. Anna Mae of Washington D.C. is the sister.

The Lusk Herald

October 13, 1955

Military rites will be accorded the late Leroy Eldon Blackmore, 35, World War II veteran and Korean War veteran, Sunday afternoon, October 16th. Time for the rite has definitely been set for 2:30 p.m., Sunday, from the chapel of the Peet Funeral Home with Rev. Jacob Nein, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Lusk, officiating. Services are also being held Saturday morning at the Bustard Funeral home in Casper, and will be conveyed overland to this city that afternoon for last rites on Sunday.

Members of Wieten-Dupes Post No. 4, American Legion will be in charge of military services at the Lusk cemetery.

According to William Bustard, Natrona county coroner, Casper, Blackmore apparently took his own life sometime between 1:00 a.m. and 4:15 a.m. Wednesday, October 12th. His body was in the right side of his car, with a bullet hole through the right temple, and with a 30-30 calibre rifle between his knees. His car had been parked in an alley in Casper.

Leroy Eldon Blackmore was born April 15th, 1920, at Lusk, Wyoming, a son of the late William S. and Lela (Sparks) Blackmore. During World War II he served with the Army Engineers, seeing action in the European theatre, and was with the Tank Corps in the Korean conflict.

He had been an employee of the telephone company in Casper for many years, and for a short time was transferred to Newcastle, returning to Casper last February. On July 16th, 1955 he was united in marriage to Jean Bacon in Casper. At the present time the couple was living at the Wyatt hotel.

The deceased was a member of the American Legion and Lusk Lodge No. 1797, B.P.O. Elks.

Survivors include his wife of Casper, seven brothers, Theron Blackmore of Casper, Clyde Blackmore, Lusk, Gene Blackmore, Newcastle, Ed Blackmore of Arlington, VA. Harold Blackmore of Buena, Wash., Delmar Blackmore of Denver, Colo., and Guy Blackmore of Eugene, Ore., and one sister, Miss Anna May Blackmore of Washington, D.C. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Clifford and Merlin Blackmore.

October 18,1955

Concluding rites were held here at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon, October 18th, from the chapel of the Peet Funeral home for the late Leroy Blackmore, whose death occurred at Casper, Wyo., on October 12th.

Rev. Jacob Nein, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Lusk officiated. Enhancing the services was the singing of "We're Going Down the Valley" and "The Old Rugged Cross" by a mixed quartet composed of Miss Neoma Taylor, Mrs. Robert Bramlet, Dr. Richard Collins and Harry Lyon. Mrs. J. P. Watson accompanied the singers on the chapel organ.

Military rites were conducted for the deceased at the graveside by members of Wieten-Dupes Post No. 4, American Legion and the local National Guard unit. Carrying the American flag and Legion flag were Andrew Crowley and Nick Steward, respectively, with Clarence "Speck" Black and Roger Lindley serving as color guards.

The American flag was folded by Post Commander Warren Schroefel and "Chuck" Vaughan, with the latter presenting it to Mrs. Jeanne Blackmore, wife of the deceased. Taps were sounded by Richard Johnsonbaugh. The National Guard furnished the firing squad, commanded by Capt. Johnnie Thon.

Bearing the remains to their last resting place were Mike Kilmer, Newcastle, Wyo., Delmar Alters, Helmuth Klemke, Delbert Outhouse, John (Bud) Hughes and Robert Vollmer. Honorary bearers were W. M. Pinkerton, Sr., James F. Dougherty, Gordon H. Haywood and John L. Scroggs, all members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post of Newcastle, Wyo.

*This information was found on the Niobrara County Library website.