Richard "Dick" Wynn Gethin

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On March 26, 1936, in Philadelphia, PA, Richard Wynn Gethin was born as the only child to Henry Wynn Gethin and Elizabeth Cessna Gethin. He passed away at age 88 on June 4, 2024 in Casper, WY due to complications with a heart procedure.

As a child he lived all over the US, attending a dozen different schools before graduating in 1954 from Clayton High School in Clayton, MO. Every summer, Dick spent his time at various camps throughout the country. The biggest part of his summer life was staying with his uncle, aunt and twelve cousins in Ligonier and Trafford, PA. This experience gave Dick, an only child, the opportunity to be a part of a larger family. This truly influenced his love for people and the person he grew to be.

After high school, Dick attended De Pauw University in Indiana. He was a dedicated member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and his fraternity brothers remained important lifelong friends. After graduating with his BA in history in 1958, he married fellow De Pauw graduate Barbara Baxter. While married, he served in the US Army Reserve. After serving, he started a career in sales. This provided them the opportunity to live in many places in the United States. In time, Dick and Barbara were also blessed to love and share their two children, Janet and Michael. Summers were spent at the family cottage in Holland, MI where both Janet and Mike now reside.

With his second marriage to Rachael Leverett Hume in 1973, he became the step-father to three wonderful children; Yolanda, Greg and Eddie. During this time in his life, Dick moved into specializing in turf products for the golfing industry. He was assigned territories that took him traveling through much of the US, which he loved, while continuing a lifelong pattern of experiencing so many other parts of the country.

After the passing of Rachael in 2004, Dick continued to grow in his involvement with his beloved place of worship, Second Baptist Church of Houston. He actively participated in his bible study group and became a deacon within the church. Many lifelong friendships were established during these 23 years.

After retirement, while still living in Houston, TX, Dick briefly worked as a greeter and in the photo department at WalMart. His final "post retirement" job satisfied his lifelong interest in the real estate market by working for an appraisal firm.

In 2014, Dick found love a final time when he reconnected with his high school and college sweetheart Laura Matlock Johnson of Vermont. They married in 2015. Dick became step-father to Kyle, Deborah, Greg and Karl. Eventually they moved from Houston, TX to Lander, WY to be closer to Laura's family. They celebrated their 9th wedding anniversary on May 29th. Dick and Laura were a joy to be around. Their positive energy, love of life, humor and joy with each other was infectious.

Dick was loved dearly by the many people in his life. He had family and friends across the country. People knew him as a person who had a strong Christian faith, who believed in the goodness of others. He demonstrated unconditional love towards his friends and family at all times. He had a warm smile, welcoming manner, and great sense of humor. He strived to be a good and faithful servant in this life.

He is survived by his wife Laura Matlock Johnson and his children – Janet Underwood (Scott), Michael Gethin (Christine), step-children Yolanda Hartle, Greg Hume, Deborah Nunnink (Mark) and Kyle Johnson (Sue). Also surviving him are precious grandchildren – Matthew Carini (Tiffany), Travis Carini (Monica), Jordan Carini (Jordyn), Zachary Gethin (Kayla), Carter Gethin (Sara), Lauryn Keizer (Andrew) and step-grandchildren; Amanda, Amber, Ashley and Alyssa; Danielle McKnight (Ross), Blake Hartle, Zackary and Cadence Johnson – and numerous great-grandchildren, with another little one on the way this fall!

He is predeceased by his parents and dear son, Eddie Gethin.

Services will be held at 10 am, Saturday, June 29, 2024, at the First Baptist Church (339 Sweetwater) in Lander, WY. Inurnment will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery.

Please sign the on-line guestbook: hudsonsfh.com.