Lora Newcomer of Fort Collins, Colorado died peacefully August 11, 2010, at home after a lengthy illness.

Lora was born in 1940 to Frances Caroline (Mickey) and Ralph Lyman (Tod) Parker in Sheridan, Wyoming. She grew up on a ranch in southern Montana where she attended a one-room school house. She graduated from Sheridan High School in 1959, after which she married Edwin (Ted) Newcomer of Buffalo, Wyoming.

They spent 20 years in the Air Force and raised four children, traveling extensively. They retired to Laramie, Wyoming where each member of the family attended and graduated from the University of Wyoming. Lora used her Bachelor of Arts in Education and her Bachelor of Fine Arts to teach school in Laramie and later in Cody, Wyoming.

While in Cody, Lora served as a docent for the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, specializing in the Western Art collection and the Plains Indians culture. In particular, she enjoyed guiding children's tours.

She loved to garden, created art of all kinds, and finished approximately 100 quilts!

Lora moved to Colorado with her husband in 2006 after she was diagnosed with a Parkinson-like neurological disease in 2005.

She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Ted; son, Paul Newcomer of Cortez, CO; daughters, Lora Massey (Allan) of Fort Collins, Kim Newcomer (Guy Buchanan) of San Diego, CA, and Sharon Koenig (Tom) of Lakewood, CO; and eight grandchildren. Lora also leaves behind her mother of Sheridan, WY; brothers, Frank Parker of Fairport, NY and Bert Parker (Donna) of Spring Branch, TX; sister, Carol Myers (Hap) of Sheridan, WY; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 14 at Allnutt Funeral Service in Fort Collins. I

n lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 650 W Drake Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80526.

A second memorial service will be held in September in Cody, WY.

Friends may send condolences to the family at www.allnutt.com.

The Sheridan Press - August 13, 2010.