RICHARD LEE "DICK" BARTOS

Richard Lee "Dick" Bartos passed away Wednesday morning, March 8, 2023 at Memorial Hospital of Converse County in Douglas, Wyoming. He was 88. Papa, as he was (and will always be) affectionately known by family members, was born Monday, June 11, 1934, in Lost Springs, Wyoming.

Celebration of Life will be held from 10:00 A.M. to 12 Noon on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at The Gathering, 805 Richards Street, Douglas, Wyoming.

He is survived by his loving wife, Lazora “Liz”, of Douglas; sister, Mildred “Mickie” Solari from Oviedo, Florida; sons, Jeff Bartos from Wheatland, Wyoming and Bret Bartos from Richmond, Virginia; and daughters, Karen Ketcham of Douglas and Kathy (Ron) Gorder from Estelline, South Dakota. His incredible legacy also includes ten grandchildren; nineteen (and counting) great-grandchildren, plus numerous loving nieces, nephews.

Papa was preceded in death by his parents, Glen Bartos, on January 24, 1970 and Lolo Bartos, on July 29, 1977; sister, Dorothy “Dode” Ryan, on October 20, 1989; brothers, Billy on November 29, 1986 and Robert “Bob” (his twin) on November 28, 1970; and infant brother, Donald, on March 12, 1932.

His professional career was dominated by 32 years of service to his country in the United States Marine Corps, from which he retired honorably at the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. He also worked within the United States Postal service in Douglas and for a school district in Phoenix, Arizona, where he and Liz (aka "Tutu") lived after his retirement from the Corps.

Dick's heart was always in Wyoming, so he and Tutu moved "back home" several years ago to their own personal paradise.

More than anything, Papa loved his family and friends, and was renowned for his playful, straight-faced sarcasm and snappy retorts. Even more so, he enjoyed when the target of his wit responded smartly in kind.

He was fond of meeting his friends, in particular Ross Kent, at the American Legion for a cold Budweiser, or the local Whistle Stop bookstore for a hot coffee with his old buddies, where they solved world problems and swapped tall tales.

Papa also loved old western TV shows and movies, Louis L'Amour books, golf, fishing in Medicine Bow National Forest, small woodworking crafts and projects, country crooners like Eddie Arnold and Patsy Cline, and perhaps most of all, the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. His idol growing up was Stan Musial, and when Dick met the legendary first-baseman at a trade show in Phoenix, he called it "one of the highlights of my life."

Well, Dad...Papa...Dick...Master Gunny...YOU were a major highlight of all the lives you touched. We will miss you, but we will never forget you. You live in all of us and we are so proud and lucky to have been in your circle.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed to Samuel Mares American Legion Post #8; P.O. Box 1, Douglas, Wyoming 82633.

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

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

Semper Fi, Marine. We salute you.

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