EE (Gene) Lonabaugh passed away peacefully on August 22, 2012. He was born Feb. 24, 1923 to Marion and Alger Lonabaugh in San Diego, California. The Lonabaugh family has been part of the local community from 1895 where EE’s grandfather started the law firm that still serves the community to this day. Gene started his journey in California finishing High School and working summers on the family ranches here in Sheridan and Johnson counties. His secondary education took him to Laramie but unfortunately was interrupted by World War II where he valiantly fought in both the D-Day invasion at Utah Beach and under General George Patton at the Battle of the Bulge. He earned the EAME Ribbon, Bronze Star and Good Conduct ribbons during his time overseas. He suffered some injuries while in battle which brought him home.

He followed up on his education by graduating from law school at The University of Colorado at Boulder. While there he was a proud member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity where he made lasting friendships. He remained close with all his brothers throughout his life. During college he met his first wife Carol Marr and they had four children together. They started their journey in Texas where Gene started practicing law. After a short stay in Texas Gene’s father Alger persuaded Gene to come to Sheridan and continue the family business here. After a time raising a family in Sheridan Gene’s first wife was drawn back to Texas to be with her family. Afterward Gene met his second wife Jean L. Mitringa and after a short courtship they married and then had one son together.

Gene loved serving the community, state, and country as a litigator in his law profession, as the city attorney of Sheridan, as a Wyoming State Representative, and later as a member of the Commission for Uniform State Laws. Some of his many accomplishments in his profession included arguing cases in the United States Supreme Court, the Wyoming Supreme Court, and defending local residents here in Sheridan and throughout Wyoming. Later in his career he enjoyed estate planning and negotiating oil and gas leases for local landowners. He was a proud member of the Masons, Shrine, Elks and Legion clubs here in Sheridan. He, like his grandfather and father before him, retired from the law business after 50 years of serving the public.

Gene’s passion was on the golf course. Golf was a large part of the Lonabaugh family life. His grandfather played a large role in the development of the Sheridan Country Club in 1920. Gene served on the board of the Country Club as President and Treasurer. He enjoyed playing golf with all his children, brother Chuck and Sister Anne and very many friends. Gene and his wife retired and then spent their winters in a golf course community in Southern California. They had many friends in Rancho Mirage and loved eating out and enjoying the perfect winter weather. In addition, Gene and Jean had various residences in Story, Wyoming. Many great times took place with family and friends both in California and in Story. Gene loved his family very much. He will always be loved and missed by his friends and family.

Gene was preceded in death by his father Alger W. Lonabaugh, mother Marion Bailey Lonabaugh, wife Jean L. Lonabaugh, son Robert A. (Bobby) Lonabaugh, grandchild Robert Posey, and stepson David E. Nelson. He is survived by his sister Anne Kelloway, brother Charles Lonabaugh, sons W. Marr Lonabaugh, E.E. (Lonnie) Lonabaugh, and Jason A. Lonabaugh, daughter Carol W. Landry, and stepson Steven P. Nelson. He also will be greatly missed by his eight grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

A Visitation and gathering of family and friends will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 27, 2012 at Kane Funeral Home. Cremation will follow.

Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com.

Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

The Sheridan Press - Aug. 27, 2012.