Robert Joseph Hones

Robert Joseph Hones, age 77, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2025, after facing health challenges over the past six months. Bob was born June 6, 1948, in Cheyenne Wyoming, to Joseph and Irene K. (Finnerty) Hones.

Bob was a man of true and deep faith who devoted his life to God, his family, and his friends. After graduating from St. Mary’s High school in Cheyenne he earned his degree from the University of Wyoming. It was during college that he met the love of his life, Pamela Jean Peterson, and together they celebrated 53 years of marriage.

After graduation, Bob and Pam moved to Walcott Wyoming to Pam’s family ranch, where Bob worked the land and cared for livestock along Pass Creek and the North Platte River. Summers spent as a young boy at his grandparents’ ranch in Slater Wyoming, instilled in him a lifelong love of horses and ranching.

Bob was blessed with three daughters, Katherine, Joanne, and Diane. Bob taught his girls the values of hard work, independence, and responsibility. Bob loved time spent during the summer brandings with summer help from Rawlins High students, teasing them, which was often returned with pranks, quick wit and laughter. Bob always told the girls when gathering cattle to make sure and always look back, never leave anything or anyone behind. Bob always lived by the mantra “when you move forward, remember to turn around, look back, and extend your hand to help the next in line.” Bob always had a hand ready to help those in need.

Bob was blessed with a natural talent and passion for leatherwork. During his college years, he tooled leather “Belts for Beer” often filling orders from patrons of the Buffalo Bar. He generously donated many of his leatherwork to benefit local youth, making chaps and tack for the young cowboys and cowgirls. His work was donated and displayed at the Carbon County Fair, The National Steer Roping Contest in Laramie and his custom re-creation of Dale Evans Rogers (Roy Rogers wife) saddle bag that she rode with on her horse Buttermilk in the movies, which is now displayed at the RFD TV Museum. Bob attended the first Rocky Mountain Leather Trade Show in Sheridan Wyoming and continued to do so for the next 32 years, only missing this years show. Bob earned admiration and lifelong friendships with the fellow artisans, which he cherished deeply.

The true joy of Bob’s later years were his grandchildren-Anna, Tessa, Levi, and Garrett. They brought light and laughter into his life, and he dearly loved taking them to the Saratoga Hot Springs, cheering them on at various sporting events and attending all their school functions.

Bob was a proud member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Saratoga, the Knights of Columbus, Rawlins Elks Lodge, and the Wyoming Stock Growers Association.

He is survived by his loving wife Pam, daughters, Katherine Hones, Diane (Joshiwa) Peterson; grandchildren Anna Peterson, Tessa Peterson, Levi Hullinger and Garrett Hullinger; sisters Kathleen Hones of Longmont, Co, Mary Beth (the late Ignacio) Resendez of Houston ,TX, Sharon (David) Gates of Cheyenne, Wy, Therese (Kim) Cox of Hillsdale, Wy and Maureen Davenport of Kerhonkson, NY; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Bob was preceded in death by daughter Joanne Marie Hones, and his parents Joseph and Irene Hones.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.