Alan William Bourne was born on January 16, 1931, to Ruth and Ezra Bourne at the house on 405 Smith St., Sheridan, WY. He graduated in 1948 from Sheridan High School and finished college at Northwestern University in 1952.

He joined the Army graduating from Artillery OCS in 1953 . He married Donna Jean Rose in October, 1953 and two weeks later he was in Korea.

After a year in Korea, he returned to Sheridan and became the Command Administration assistant for the National Guard’s 300th AFA Bn (later to become 1st Bn, 49th FA). He went through the Army Flight School at Ft. Rucker, Alabama, and was both fixed and rotary wing rated. He was the Battalion Commander his last year stationed in Sheridan. The next six year were served in Casper as Commandant of the Wyoming Military Academy OCS and NCO schools. He was a Master Army Aviator and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 30 years of service.

He was always involved in community activities. He was president of the Sheridan Historical Society when they worked to save the Sheridan Inn and Trail End.

In 1977, he received the top award in “Fine Arts Painting” for his pen and ink sketches and water color scenes of the Old West from the Wyoming State Historical Society. The Bozeman Trail PFK “Golden Spur Award” was given to him in 2003.

He created 10 life size metal sculptures at Fort Phil Kearny including “The Signalman” on Pilot Knob, the three Native American figures at the Fetterman sight depicting a mounted cavalryman and a Native Indian. His art for a Frontier Alliance brochure was used on the Fort Phil Kearny bill board installed near Buffalo.

He spent a year making 30 wrought iron fixtures for the Anglican Church near Casper Mountain, including altar rails, crosses, credence table, baptismal font and candelabras, done for the opportunity and the love of it. He also designed and created the Altar candelabras for St. Peter’s Chapel.

For six years he wrote two weekly columns for the Sheridan Press, “About the Arts” and “Arts Options” promoting school and community performing arts. He was a member of the Arts Council for 10 years and helped revive the “Concerts in the Park”, serving as manager for 12 years.

For 22 years he was a volunteer with the SHS Choral Department and received the “Distinguished Service to Music Education” award from the Wyoming Music Educators Association for his time and effort to promote music and music education.

He is an Honorary Life Member of the Tri-M Music honor Society, NMEC. The Performing Arts Hall of Fame at SHS he created was dedicated to SHS graduates who have gone on the careers or life long avocations in the Performing Arts and to SHS graduates who have made significant contributions in Performing Arts in the community.

He was a familiar face at community musicals for many years. He played bass for the WYO and Civic Theater musicals along with several local groups such as the old “Goose Creek Jazz Band”, “Dixie Dudes” and the “Stardusters”. He played in the orchestra for SHS choral concerts and musicals. “Music has always been by my side”.

He was a NRA shooting instructor at Sheridan College for many years and he competed in matches at Camp Perry, Ohio. He was a lifetime NRA member and a member of Rotary International and he always said “don’t forget, The National Geographic Society”.

For many years he designed Christmas cards with pen and ink sketches and poetry. He added pen and ink designs to the envelopes that he mailed to family and friends. “Circling Home” was his favorite theme.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Louise Prickrill and daughter, Gayle Marie.

He is survived by his wife Donna, son Steven of Sheridan, daughter Julie Crossan (David) and grandchildren Everett and Delaney Crossan of Casper. Also many beloved nieces and nephews

Funeral service will be Monday, October 24th at 10:00 am at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church with Father John Meyer officiating. Interment will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery with military honors by the Wyoming National Guard. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.

Memorials may benefit the Dog and Cat Shelter or the Sheridan High School Music Activity Fund at SHS.

SheridanMedia.com - October 21, 2011.