Hearley Dockham, 79, of Pavillion passed away at Sage West – Riverton Hospital on May 13, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at the Pavillion Rodeo Arena followed by a reception at the Recreation Center. Burial took place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at the Bondurant Cemetery.
Hearley Robert Dockham was born on Jan. 20, 1942, in Jackson, Wyo., to Billy Robert and Eileen Mae (Fronk) Dockham. He grew up on the family ranch in Bondurant and attended grade school there. He spent his first two years of high school at Pinedale High and the last two years at Jackson-Wilson High School where he matriculated with the class of 1959. While in high school he served as the manager of the Jackson-Wilson ski team. He then went to the University of Wyoming where he earned his bachelor of science in agriculture. While at the University of Wyoming he was member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. During his college years he took six months off to go to Scotland as part of the International Farm Youth Exchange Program, which sparked his later interest in raising sheep.
On June 27, 1965, he married Joyce Holgerson in Pine Bluffs, Wyo. They would have celebrated their 56th anniversary this June. Together they raised their children Dan, born in 1967, Dorothy, born in 1969, and Jenny, born in 1974.
In 1970, he and Joyce moved to Pavillion. In 1971 they moved to their current residence on West Pavillion Road and started their own ranch. While he was establishing his ranch, he worked for Midvale Irrigation as a ditch rider for several years.
Once the ranch was established Hearley became very active in the communities all around Fremont County. He served one term on the school board for Wind River School District, was an active 4-H leader for many years, served on the Pavillion Recreation Board and was instrumental in getting the rodeo arena and the recreation center built. He also served as the treasurer for the Cougar Athletic Club for many years. He joined the High Plains Power Board of Directors in 1996 when it was still RVEA and continued to serve until his death.
Hearley’s family always came first. He never missed an activity any of the kids were involved in from 4-H to sports. He volunteered many times to drive the school bus for the Wind River Ski Club on its adventures to Jackson Hole. His love for the community was such that he continued to follow the sporting events at Wind River even after his kids had graduated going to many basketball games and wrestling events. He loved his sheep and his dog a close second to the family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Billy and Eileen Dockham.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Dockham; his sister, Sharon Nethercott (Neal); his son, Dan (Missi); Dorothy Richard (Jay), his daughter, Jenny Kennedy (Thadeus). He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Ella Dockham, Lilly Dockham, Billy Dockham, Hailey Richard and Jackson Richard and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pavillion Rec Center or Cougar Athletic Club in care of Davis Funeral Home, 2203 West Main St., Riverton, Wyo. 82501.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.TheDavisFuneralHome.com.
Services under the direction of Davis Funeral Home.
