Ray Wardell, age 66, died on Saturday, November 1, 2003 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.
Ray A. Wardell was born onAugust 5, 1937, the son of John and Mae (Roth) Wardell. He was raised in the Green River Valley of western Wyoming around Pinedale and Big Piney and graduated from Pinedale High School. He attended Ohio State University for one year and majored in Animal Science. He then attended and graduated from Colorado School of Banking. He married Mame Isaacs in 1961, two sons were born of this union, they were later divorced. From 1965 to 1975 he was employed by the State Bank of Big Piney eventually being promoted to Vice President/Loan Officer.
While in Big Piney he raced cutters and chariots, rode horses bareback and broncs, announced, and clowned many rodeos. He was President of the World Chariot Association in 1975 and local Vice President from 1965-1974, President of the Big Piney Lions Club from 1973-74, President of Big Piney Jaycees in 1969, and a member of Chuckwagon Days Committee from 1965-1975. In 1975 Ray moved to Moorcroft, Wyoming to become the President of the new Moorcroft State Bank until 1982, when he left the bank to pursue the horse business full time. Raised on a ranch, horses had always been his primary interest. He attended his first cutter race in 1949. In 1954 he bought his first registered quarter horses and ran them on the cutters that winter. While in Ohio attending school he rode colts for Stretch Bradley and Dale Wilkerson.
Ray worked for J.O. Hankins in Texas for about a year where they stood Silver King and there he acquired his first experience with A-I breeding techniques. His involvement in chariot racing led to the desire for faster horses and better bloodlines. He purchased Reeds Tonto and Whizz Blitz, who in turn, were sires that produced many successful race and arena horses, some becoming the foundation of his breeding program. His most recent stallion, Dashing With Cash, has the second highest percentage of stakes winners in the nation, with many AAA runners. He also stood some Foundation bred stallions for some of his friends. Having his own breeding program gave him the opportunity to do what he loved bestraise, race, train, breed and sell quality Quarter horses.
He was also an auctioneer and read pedigrees at many horse sales around the country. He was the organizer and President of the Diamond Classic Futurity and manager of the Diamond Classic Yearling Sale for many years. He served as race director for the Wyoming Quarter Horse Association from 1975-1992. He organized and was two-term President of the Wyoming Horseracing Association. He served on the Race Committee of A.Q.H.A. from 1988 until 1996. He enjoyed golfing, reading, and most of all watching his son, Kelly, participate in rodeos.
In 1977 he married Cheri Miller and they made their home north of Moorcroft on the Half-Fast Ranch.
Ray is survived by his wife, Cheri, of 26 years; a son, Kelly Wardell and Barb Patterson of Bellevue, Idaho; his mother, Mae Wardell of Gillette, Wyoming; his father, John Wardell of Pinedale, Wyoming.
He was preceded in death by a son, James Wardell in 1989.
A celebration of life for Moorcroft resident Ray A. Wardell, age 66, will be conducted at 1:00 PM Saturday, November 8, 2003 at the Moorcroft High School with Mike Morrison of the Mike Morrison Ministries officiating. At his request cremation has taken place.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund for a scholarship at Moorcroft High School has been established in Ray Wardells name.
Condolences and donations may be sent to the family at Stevenson-Wilson funeral Home 210 W. 5th Street Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or via the internet at www.stevensonandsons.com
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