ARTHUR "ART" WILLIAM BALDREY

Arthur Willliam “Art” Baldrey went home to be with the Lord while in hospital care the
morning of Monday, September 11, 2023, less than a month shy of his 76th
birthday. He fought the good fight of faith. He finished his race. He kept the faith!
Art was born Monday, October 6, 1947, in Montrose, Colorado, the son of Thomas
William and Evangeline Ruth (Seymour) Baldrey. He grew up in Montrose on the
family farm with his twin brother, Allan, and older sister, Verna. His childhood was
spent on the family farm tending to many chores. Art was a Cub and Boy Scout and
he enjoyed playing summer baseball along with many fishing and hunting
adventures. He enjoyed exploring abandoned mines, searching for buried
treasure, and arrowhead hunting. His Dad was a farmer/miner, while his mom
was a principal/teacher.
During his younger years, Art and his siblings attended the Menoken School
House located between Montrose and Olathe. The family then moved to Egnar,
Colorado. Art’s high school years included three years at Olathe High School where he was
on the wrestling, football, and baseball teams. Senior year, 1965 he attended
Dolores County High School in Dove Creek, Colorado and played baseball and basketball.
After graduation, he along with his brother worked the mines with their dad. In
1966 he moved to Denver, Colorado and secured a construction job. For a short time, he
worked outside of Craig, Colorado helping build the fence along CO Hwy 13 north to the
Wyoming border.
In 1970, while at a church convention in Omaha, Nebraska he met Donna Jean
Custard and they were married in Englewood, Colorado on August 8, 1971. Art joined
the carpenters union and worked on several construction jobs. Soon after that
the young couple moved to Ithaca, Nebraska and Art continued to work
construction in Omaha. They welcomed their first daughter Jeanette on
November 11, 1972, and then their twin daughters Peggy and Patsy on June 17,
1975. The summer of 1976 Art ventured to Douglas, Wyoming in search of work.
Douglas was booming and he was part of the crew that built the current Douglas

High School, La Prele Dam, the Dragline excavator for Black Thunder Coal Mine,
and the Eastridge Mall. In 1980 Art and Donna became self-employed and started
Baldrey Construction. They have been very blessed to work in the Douglas
community all these years. His legacy continues with the company operating with
the help of their two sons-in-laws, Todd and Calvin.
Art wouldn’t turn down a cup of coffee or a good conversation. He loved sharing
stories and always had a joke ready to tell. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
He loved fishing for trout in a mountain stream or taking his boat out on the lake.
He also took trips to Alaska and caught both salmon and halibut. Art liked
attending rodeos, taking photos, and listening to live music. Most of all, Art
enjoyed traveling the back roads of Wyoming and Colorado. He often stopped at
roadside cafes for pie and coffee. He never forgot a person’s name or the roads
he traveled. Art had an exceptional memory and was fascinated by history and the
culture of the American old west. He took time to visit unique places of interest
and museums and collecting antiques.
While raising his family, Art took them on numerous outdoor outings and road
trips to take in the beautiful scenery. He had a good time on countless picnics and
camping trips with his wife and three girls. Many wonderful memories were made
traveling several western states together.
Art was very hardworking but also knew how to relax and enjoy the company of
others. Church played an active role in his life and he enjoyed the years of
fellowship of so many of its members.
Art and Donna have been blessed with ten grandchildren and he spent many years
attending a variety of their activities such as 4-H shooting, 4-H livestock, baseball,
softball, dance, drama, choir, band, volleyball, and basketball games.
He is survived by his lovely wife of 52 years, Donna of Douglas, Wyoming;
daughter Jeanette and husband Todd Nelson, of Douglas and grandchildren Lane
and Kate; daughter Peggy and husband Orson Case of Nucla, Colorado and
grandchildren Emily and husband Bray Houston, Ethon, and Aaron; daughter Patsy
and husband Calvin Fertig Jr. of Glendo, Wyoming and grandchildren Holly,
Allyson, Calvin III, Jaclyn, and Jilliyn. He is also survived by his sister Verna Simkins
(Frank) of Edmonton, Kentucky and brother Allan Baldrey (Jacqueline) of Hudson, Colorado;
along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place and no services are currently planned. The
family will gather for the spreading of his ashes around the San Juan Mountain
Range area in Southern Colorado. The family thanks family, friends, and the
Douglas community for reaching out.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in Art’s
name to the Converse County 4-H Shooting Sports Club in care of Converse County Extension, 1839 Madora Avenue, Douglas, Wyoming 82633.

The Gorman Funeral Homes – Converse Chapel of Douglas, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com

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