Colter Day “C.D.” Atkinson, 31, of Garrett, WY, passed away on Wednesday, May 4, along the Marshall Road just a few miles from his family’s Sheep Creek Ranch. At this time, it is believed he died of a heart related event.
C.D. was born in Laramie, WY, on August 3, 1984. He was the son of James and Catherine Atkinson. He has one sibling, a sister, Kacy Lynn Atkinson. C.D. spent his growing years on their isolated ranch in northern Albany County following in his father’s footsteps. He attended Antelope Creek School at the ranch for two years and then transferred to Harmony School near Woods Landing for the rest of elementary where his mother was a teacher. The family traveled home each weekend. For his seventh grade year he returned to the Garrett Community to attend River Bridge School. Then it was back again to Laramie for his remaining junior high and high school education. He graduated from Laramie High School in May, 2002. Throughout his formative years he was active in many activities: 4-H, football, FFA, and High School Rodeo. Special accomplishments included a trip to Goodwell, OK, to attend the Etbauer Bronc Riding clinic. Another was being a member of the Ag Mechanics team that won at the State FFA convention resulting in a trip to Louisville, KY, for the National FFA Convention and earning his State FFA degree. But his favorite times were weekends and summers when the family was together at the ranch.
After high school, C.D. attended Casper College where he earned degrees in Fire Science and Welding. He served for a summer with the Centennial Volunteer Fire Department fighting forest fires. He also attended the Oklahoma Horseshoeing School and would establish Atkinson Farrier Service with clients in Albany, Natrona, and Converse counties.
For the next several years C.D. would split his time between the ranch and Casper. He took up team roping and went on to earn his Journeyman Electrician’s License. Everything he tackled, he did well – welding, mechanics, riding, and roping. He was the perfect all-around hand and a skilled cowman. He married Ashlee Nichole Robeson of Casper on April 7, 2016, and returned to the ranch the next week where the couple planned to make their permanent home. Tragically, their happiness ended all too soon.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, William and Marie Reilly, his paternal grandparents, Day and Cornelia Atkinson, and his uncle Gene Atkinson. He is survived by his parents, sister, wife, uncles Lawrence (Carol) Atkinson and William Reilly of Laramie, Terence Reilly of Cheyenne, aunts Nancy Atkinson of Casper and Stephanie (Dan) Hunter of Hill City, SD, and several cousins.
Services will be held Sunday, May 15, at 1:00 PM at the Hansen Arena in Laramie. If you wish, memorials may be made to the Rock River Volunteer Fire Department or the charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank everyone for their tremendous outpouring of prayers, love, and support.
Dear Jim, Catherine, sister Kacy, and new bride Ashlee, I was raised in Northern Albany County, son of John S. and Genevieve Bell. I knew Day and Connie (Cornelia) Atkinson and the family of Lawrence, Gene and Jim. Everybody saw each other at the country barn dances and social occasions held at the ranches of Jimmie and Yvonne Robbins, Merle and Kathy Atkinson over toward Garrett, and at the North Albany Club House further south on the way to Garrett. We shoveled a couple of truck loads of gravel and sand from the edge of Sheep Creek where the Day and Connie Atkinson home was located back in 1949 or 1950 when we here pouring the foundation for the grainary building my Dad had purchased as a surplus military structure from Fort Francis E. Warren Air Base at Cheyenne. I left the country when I was 24 years old in 1958 when I enlisted in the Air Force and only returned to the ranch every so often over the next years to see my parents and sisters and families. So I sort of lost contact with all the ranch families that I was familiar with as I grew up. Then in September 2015 I was visiting the ranch (Jack and Celia Corson and family) when Jack had arranged a "controlled burn" of the mountain in back of their house. All seemed to be controlled and all hazards eliminated, but on September 27th some embers evidently were blown across the fire break and it ignited some of the mountain north of the Reed Pass. My eldest son and I returned at that time from Casper where we had attended the induction ceremony for my Dad and many others into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame. Neighbors had gathered at the home of Jack and Celia Corson to lend a hand. Among those present was you, Jim! Such a pleasant surprise to see you, get a little information on your brothers and family, and sort of "c9nnect" after all the past 50+ years. I was informed about the shocking and tragic loss of Colter by my sister, Barbara Zankie (whom you remember) and talked with my other sister, Laura Lee Wilkinson of Torrington. I just had to express my sympathy and add you and your family to my nightly prayers. May God bless you tenderly. John H. Bell, Indio, California
Our sympathy and prayers are with the family at this time. The Delinger Family Tommy, Jim, Lillian, Vivian, Rosanna and Diana
Jim and Cathy, we are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Our hearts have been heavy with your loss in mind. Sending thoughts and lots of prayers - Gary, Stacey, Ally and Ben Tronson
We are so sorry for your loss. I know this has been tough for you. We have been praying for all of you.
It is with a heavy heart I heard of your loss. I know that you will miss him dearly and love him always. May you find joy in his memory and may the love of your family and friends support you.
Jim and Kathy- On behalf of the Ellen Smith family, our sincerest condolences to you and your family. What a terrible event to have to deal with. Death is never easy to endure, but especially the loss of someone so young and in the prime of his life. Hugs to you all. Cliff, Toby, Leonard and Amelia and families.
Our condolences & heart felt sympathies.
Jimmie, Cathy & Kacy, Sorry to hear about your loss of Coulter, a fine young man.. Think of you each and every day. You wrote an awesome story of his life. He was a fine young man and will be sadly missed. So young and energetic. What a loss! We send our love to all of you and also Ashlee! Dan & Charleen Smith - Llano, TX..
I was so sorry to learn of your loss. Know your family is in my thought and prayers. Merrilee Hohnholz
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both.
CD was a great young man because of his family. Though God has taken him early, may his memory bless you in the years to come. I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for you, my friends.
My heartfelt thoughts are with you through this difficult time. No words can express how I wish so much comfort for the family. .
Jim I never forgot your way of doing business and the integrity you had. Perhaps the life you all have chosen to live is the blessing here. CD was so very family oriented and had his mamma near a lot. I will be praying for your comfort. We sure do love your family.
We pray that this moment of bereavement is replaced by the loving memories of his life and the cherished time you shared togather.
C.D. trimmed my horses a few times. He was a very nice young man, not to talkative but he had a great sense of humor. He was patient with the horses and treated them well. So sorry for your loss, you are in my thoughts.
I remember the first time he met Jason He tried to be all big brothery and tell Jason not to hurt me or he would hurt him. I just knew they were going to get into a fight but they both laughed and they talked like they were old friends. Hadn't talk to him in a while but I will miss him and cherish the fun times we had going up. Love you Jim, Cathy and Kacy.
Our love and prayers. T a most difficult time. Steve and Ruth Arthur
Kevin and Tamera Nelson We are sorry for your loss. Just remember the good times he will always be with you.
CD was my very first student for the first two years of my teaching at Antelope Creek School. Although many years have gone by I have a very special place in my heart for that little boy who grew into a wonderful young man. Jim and Kathy I am so sorry for your loss, and will keep you and your family in my prayers. My time with Colter and Antelope Creek School is amoung some of my fondest memories that I will treasure for a long time.
CD's passing has left a hole in our family as well. His grin would light up the world. We loved him very much. Sean and Barb Ellis
CD's passing will leave a whole on our family as well. His grin would light up the world. Loved him very much. Barb and Sean Ellis
To the Day family, My family and I would like to see send you all our condolences at this sad time. Please remember that God understands all of the pain your family is going through at this sad time. He has given us a promise for a better future. This promise is found in Revelation 21:3,4 and John 5:28,29. Where it speakers of a time when there will be no more sicknesses, deaths, pain, and sorrow. May these scriptures bring comfort and hope you all. Please be assured that your family will be in our prayers.
That is a beautiful tribute of C.D.'s life. I always enjoyed our visits when our paths crossed and my heart is heavy with his sudden passing. I will pray for you all to find comfort in your memories. Love you guys.
Very well written obituary, Great guy, he will be missed...
I was fortunate to meet CD through my nephew, Seano' Ellis, and spend a week in Mexico with my sister and the boys. CD was a very personable, polite young man, who made everyone laugh. My sympathies to you all. Patsy Behrens
I was fortunate to meet CD through my nephew, Seano' Ellis, and spend a week with my sister and the boys in Mexico. CD was a very personable, polite young man, who made everyone laugh. My sympathies to you all. Patsy Behrens
We are so sorry for your loss. We are keeping you all in our prayers.
We were so sorry to hear of CD's passing. Your family is in our prayers at this difficult time. In time, may God's peace fill your hearts and may the special memories bring comfort to your souls. We send our love your way. George & Holly Golen
I am so very sorry for your loss .I have no words that sounds right. I'm praying for you and your family. Marilyn Sturgeon
So very sorry for your loss and you are in our thoughts and prayers, Duane and Margy Toro
We are so sorry for your loss. We wish you courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to mend your broken hearts.