Dr. Emery W. Brunett Sr., 88, of Laramie, joined his Lord and Savior on July 4, 2016, in Laramie, Wyoming surrounded by family. Fondly known as Smiley or Gus to family, friends, and a multitude of nieces and nephews, he led a life truly emblematic of the Greatest Generation a life dedicated to family, hard work, service and community. He was delivered by his father on December 3, 1927, in the family homestead log cabin at the foot of Ovando Mountain near Ovando, Montana during a blizzard. He was the youngest of eleven children, including seven sisters and three brothers proud children of Elbe James and Mary Katherine (Betzler) Brunett. Smiley attended the Ovando oneroom schoolhouse, often walking two miles through woods or going by horse and sleigh in the winter. He graduated from Missoula County High School. He proudly enlisted in the Army in 1946 and was assigned to a post in Whittier, Alaska. His limited R&R time there was spent salmon fishing. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1948 and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal.
He returned to Missoula, Montana and with the help of the GI Bill he enrolled at the University of Montana. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in 1953 and a Master of Science in Pharmacy in 1956. He earned his PhD in Pharmacy at the University of Washington in 1965. He was appointed an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy in 1964 and found his true calling as a teacher. He taught dispensing in Pharmacy at Drake University from 19661969, before moving to Laramie to teach at the University of Wyoming from 19691993. He received numerous outstanding teaching awards and was acknowledged by students many times as their favorite teacher. He took great pride in teaching “a bunch of knuckleheads.” He was a practicing Pharmacist for almost 40 years. He met the love of his life, Iris Stephens, at the PaynSave drugstore in Missoula, Montana where he worked as a Pharmacist and Iris cashiered. They were married in 1960 and were blessed with four children. Smiley was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church for over forty years. He was President of the Laramie Civitan Club, founder and first President of the Sunrise Rotary Club, and a member of the B.P.O.E. Elks. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed reading, hunting, cooking, dancing, a good game of cards, and spending time with his extended family in Montana. He loved politics and treasured being hosted by Senator Edward M. Kennedy for coffee at his home in Washington, DC. He generously supported the St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, Montana and St. Joseph’s Indian School of Chamberlain, South Dakota for decades and several other nature, wildlife and animal preservation organizations. He respected all animals; especially cats and squirrels and he loved traveling and cherished his time visiting family and taking special trips to the Atlantic Ocean and Europe. Smiley is survived by his wife Iris Eileen Brunett of nearly 56 years whom he married on December 27, 1960;his children, Emery W. Brunett. Jr of Laramie, Wyoming; Katherine Brunett McGuire and her husband David, of Falls Church, VA; Stephenie Ann Cossairt and her husband Garth, of Laramie; and Barbara BrunettRamsey and her husband Erik, of Athens, Ohio. His family also includes six grandchildren: Garth “Owen” Cossairt, Thomas Henry “Hank” Cossairt, William Cordell “Cord”
Cossairt, Mary Elizabeth “Ellie” McGuire, Cooper James McGuire and Keenen Fergus Ramsey. He was preceded in death by his ten older siblings and his parents. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, July 12, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 107 South 7th in Laramie, with Jennifer Michael officiating. Interment will follow the service at Greenhill Cemetery in Laramie. Smiley will be buried with full military honors. All are invited to a reception following at Trinity Lutheran Church to share tall tales, fish tales and everything inbetween of Smiley’s great life. In lieu of flowers, contributions are being collected by the family for a memorial tree at Greenhill Cemetery.
Smiley! My dear, kind, warm and most fantastic host father when I was an exchange student in 1986-87. I am so sad to learn he passed away. I have always missed you and all the wonderful Brunett family. Always kept the precious memories with you and will always do. My warmest hug to Iris and warm hugs also to Kathy, Stephanie, Barbara, Emery jr and all the rest of the family. Ciao, Maria Luisa Pilo
Maria Luisa, I was reading comments again. We miss you and would love to get in touch. Stephenie
Iris and Family, All our thoughts and sympathy. Emery leaves many memories as my teacher and, later, colleague at the School of Pharmacy. Linda Gore Martin and Tom Martin
Smiley was a good man. I remember him from when Tamara had Iriscas a pre-school teacher back in 1996,1997. He always had a ready smile and was good to her. We will miss him terribly. Love you and miss you,Iris. Our heartfelt condolences and sympathies go out to you and the entire family. Hugs and kisses! Jacquie,Tamara and Dewey Stickley
Our deepest sympathy to Iris and all the family. Our wonderful memories of Emery are numerous. Our family had connections with him in so many ways. I know Bruce also carries many fond memories of Emery as both a colleague at The School of Pharmacy through the The University of Wyoming and as a friend. May Emery rest in peace with the Lord. The Culver Family, Bruce, Cheryl, Britt, Craig and their families.
My late husband, Ivan Avery, worked with him.
I am very sorry to hear of Dr.Brunett's passing. He was our neighbor in the late 60's. The entire family treated us so well. God Bless you all during this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Kim McCandlish, Tulsa, Ok.
I have known Emery since 1965. I was a graduate student at University of Washington in 1965. I became a faculty member at Wyoming in 1970. He will be missed.
Emery was a cherished, friend, colleague and mentor to me when I joined the faculty out of graduate school. My sympathies to the famaily. Tony Palmieri
He was a friend, colleague and mentor to me when I joined the faculty. Tony Palmieri