The following obituaries appeared in the September 25, 2024 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
For more area obituaries, please visit Schwab Mortuary.
For more resources including headstones, please visit the Star Valley Historical Society.
Robert Knowlton
Avid sportsman Robert Louis Knowlton, Sr., age 95, passed away peacefully at his home in Yuma, Arizona on August 5, 2024.
Former Star Valley resident, Bob was born on June 29, 1929, in New Haven, Connecticut to Gordon and Elsie (Clark) Knowlton. On April 14, 1951, he married Joyce Hannah Wood and celebrated 64 years of marriage before her passing on July 6, 2015. They had five wonderful children, Bruce (d.12/30/21) and Delphine Knowlton of Star Valley, Wyoming, Rebecca Knowlton of Yuma, Arizona, Jay and Joyce Knowlton of Thomaston, Connecticut, Robbie and Jennifer Knowlton of Thayne, Wyoming and Karen Knowlton of Yuma, Arizona. He was known as “Grampy” to his seven grandchildren, Amy, Sara, Josh, Daniel, Casey, Brianna, and Trent and 12 great-grandchildren.
He was a Thomaston Volunteer Firefighter for many years prior to relocating his family to Jackson, Wyoming in 1970. He was a Fish Biologist at the Jackson National Fish Hatchery, a ski instructor at Snow King Resort and a Little League baseball coach in Jackson, Wyoming for many years. He retired from the Jackson National Fish Hatchery and relocated to Star Valley, Wyoming in 1994. Since 1994, Bob and Joyce divided their time between Star Valley and Yuma, Arizona living as retired snowbirds. Bob will always be missed by all who knew and loved him. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, coach, and friend.
A private family memorial will be held at the Hillside Cemetery in Thomaston, Connecticut this fall. Condolences may be sent to the Knowlton family at PO Box 976, Thayne, WY 83127.
David Foxley
David Leland Foxley passed away peacefully in Fort Collins, Colorado, on September 7, 2024. He was born on August 19, 1951 in Ogden, Utah and was raised in Ogden and Tremonton.
He married Nancy Wheeler in 1971. The couple moved with their young son Ryan to Germany where David was stationed for a brief time with the US Army. He later moved to Logan, Utah, where he worked as a carpenter and attended Utah State University, studying American studies and education. In 1985 he moved with his family, which now included a second son, Ansel, to Star Valley, Wyoming, where he taught junior high English and social studies, a career that he would maintain through the rest of his working life, which included several years of teaching in Lander, Wyoming. He loved teaching and had a great talent for connecting with students and sharing his passion for learning. After retirement he moved to Fort Collins, Colorado. In every town he lived he left behind many good friends and a series of beautiful houses that he built himself.
David was a passionate person with a wide range of interests. He had a deep love of the West, with its mountains and sagebrush hills, where over the decades he spent his free time hiking, climbing, fishing, hunting, skiing, and horseback riding. From childhood he loved trains, real and model. He was passionate about horses and all things cowboy and western, about politics and history, (and a good debate therein), and about books—he was a voracious reader. In his last years he was most content simply smoking one of his beloved pipes with his good dog Cinder by his side, a book in his lap, (likely a book about hobbits or history). David was feisty, smart, kind, and sociable. He particularly loved a good turn on the dance floor, which he managed to pull off in style one last time, cane in hand, just days before his death with his sweetheart Debbie.
David is survived by sister Linda Berkley of Clinton, Utah, brother Robert Foxley of Ogden, Utah, former wife Nancy Foxley, sons Ryan Foxley (Liz) of Arlington, Washington, and Ansel (Nikki) of Fort Collins, Colorado. David is also survived by his grandchildren Rowan, Aidan, Brendan, Lennon, and Olive.
There will be a celebration of life for David at Avagadro’s Number in Ft. Collins, Colorado from 2:00-5:00 on October 12.
Samuel Coates
Samuel Coates passed away after a hard fight with cancer August 30, 2024 at home surrounded by his family.
He was born September 7 1951 in Afton, Wyoming to Olga and Lloyd Coates.
He grew up in Etna, Wyoming and graduated from Star Valley High School.
He enjoyed hunting, rock and gold hunting and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife Linda Coates; three daughters Tammy (Todd) Tuschhoff, Tracy (Jeff) Robbins, and Patty (Blaire) Dugger; nine grandkids; and several great-grandkids.
He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers and sisters, and a nephew.
In lieu of flowers the family is accepting donations to cover costs.
