Obituary - Elizabeth Firmage White Barrass

Mrs. Barrass Funeral Rites Set for Today

Funeral services for Mrs. Richard C. Barrass will be held at 2:30 this afternoon at the L.D.S. church. Bishop William Gibbs of the second ward will conduct the rites and burial will be in Mountain View cemetery.

Members of the Pythian Sisters lodge will conduct short services at the Villanova funeral home at 2 p.m.

Mrs. Barrass, a lifelong resident of Rock Springs, died Wednesday at Sweetwater Memorial hospital.

--Rock Springs Daily Rocket, February 25, 1956

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MRS. RICHARD C. BARRASS

Funeral services for Mrs. Richard C. Barrass, 64, of 810 Center street were held Saturday afternoon at the L.D.S. church. Bishop William Gibbs of the Second ward conducted the rites and burial was in Mountain View cemetery.

Pallbearers were selected from the Knights of Pythias lodge and were Aaron Deneley, Joe Dominske, R.L. Francis, John Retford, Joseph Seppie and Pete Shinazy.

Mrs. Barrass, a life long resident of Rock Springs, died early Wednesday morning in Sweetwater Memorial hospital following a three-week illness.

She was born Elizabeth Firmage Feb. 6, 1892 in Rock Springs, a daughter of John and Janet Firmage, early day residents of the city. She was married to Richard C. Barrass here Jan. 21, 1921.

Survivors are her husband, one daughter and two sons, Mrs. Robert E. Woods and Richard Barrass, both of Pocatello, Idaho, and George White of Rock Springs; seven grandchildren and two sisters and one brother, John Firmage of Rock Springs, Mrs. Janet Hoye of Layton, Utah, and Mrs. Mary Ellen Buchanan of San Francisco.

Mrs. Barrass was a member of the Pythian Sisters lodge and members of the organization conducted funeral rites at the Villanova funeral home Saturday before the services at the church.

--Rock Springs Miner, February 26, 1956

Learn more about Elizabeth on the Firmage Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/firmagefamilyhistory/families/firmage/elizabeth-firmage-1892.

Obituary - Scott H. Johnson

Scott H. Johnson

March 8, 1963 - February 2, 2015

Following a lengthy illness, Scott H. Johnson died at his home in Lander, Wyoming in February. Scott was the third child born in Rock Springs, Wyoming to Jane Van Valkenburg and Larry A. Johnson (deceased).

Scott moved to Ogden, Utah with his mother when he was three years old. He attended schools in Washington Terrace and Weber County and graduated from Weber High School in 1981. Scott furthered his education by graduating with degrees from Weber State University and the University of Wyoming and extended his education in graduate studies at the University of New Mexico.

While attending his school, Scott worked for his stepfather, Joy A. Ward, doing custom farm work. He later worked as an archaeologist in New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Idaho and Wyoming doing field worked. He loved this work because he enjoyed walking through country where not many have tread, finding Native American artifacts and speculating and determining how they lived. He also relished living in Lander because it is located at the foot of the Wind River Range of the Rocky Mountains and provided many outdoor recreational activities.

Scott was a very sincere and principled person, expressing himself in a rather direct manner. However, if you were his friend, you could always count on him. He had a subtle sense of humor and told everyone that his mother and sister were placed on this earth for his amusement.

Scott is survived by his mother, Jane Van Valkenburg of Lander, Wyoming; a brother Stuwert Johnson, Ogden, Utah and a sister, Laurie Winters (Greg) of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and uncle, Howard Van Valkenburg of Rock Springs, Wyoming, and aunt Mary Koritnik (Joseph) of Cheyenne, Wyoming and numerous cousins. He is preceded in death by his father, maternal grandmother and several uncles and aunts, including his favorites, Aunt Eva and Uncle Bill.

Cremation has taken place ad family services will be conducted later this year when his ashes will be scattered over one of his favorite places in the Red Desert.

Learn more about Scott on the Van Valkenburg Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/vanvalkenburgfamilyhistory/families/johnson/scott-johnson.

Obituary - Margaret Farmer Firmage Williamson

Mrs. Margaret Williamson nee Mrs. William Firmage, quietly slept away at the home of her son, Mr. John Firmage, on Fourth street, on last Friday morning, aged 72 years.

The funeral took place on July 1st from the Mormon church where appropriate services were held, Mr. W.B. Rae being the principal speaker on this mournful occasion.

Every seat in the church was occupied and many mourners followed the remains to their last resting places.

The sands of life had well run down and the end came peacefully after a lingering illness. For many years she was a sufferer from acute rheumatism.

Her maiden name was Margaret Farmer, a farmer’s daughter, and was born at Sellar Dyke, Fifeshire. When William, her oldest son, was 17 years old, her husband died leaving her with a family of five to raise. She went to the work and by laboring night and day she educated them and brought them all to manhood and womanhood. Four survive her, Mr. Wm. Firmage, Mr. John Firmage, Mrs. John McBride, all of Rock Springs, and Mr. James Firmage, now living on a farm in Minnesota. One daughter died in Dundee, Scotland, leaving three children.

The deceased has several brothers in Scotland, veterans of the Crimean war. Up to the time she crossed the Atlantic, seventeen years ago, she was an exceptionally strong woman, but as soon as she arrived in Utah she was attacked by rheumatism and she became a martyr to it up to her death.

She married a second time to Mr. Williamson, but there was no issue, and for several years her sons and daughters were her support. The deceased lived an upright Christian life; a life of usefulness; one of love and duty to her family. Now she is at rest and may she sleep in peace.

--Rock Springs Miner no. 28 July 06, 1899

Learn more about Margaret on the Firmage Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/firmagefamilyhistory/families/farmer/margaret-farmer.

Obituary - Thomas Unsworth Cook

THOMAS COOK

OGDEN, Utah—Graveside services for Thomas U. Cook were conducted Saturday, March 28, at Lindquist’s Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch. Father Francs Winder of the Episcopal Church officiated. The Unity Lodge No. 18 AF and AM also officiated.

Cook, 79, died March 25 at his home in Ogden of a heart attack.

He was born Nov. 30, 1907 in Rock Springs, a son of Edward and Ellen Unsworth Cook. He married Dorothy S. Horn on Sept. 12, 1932 in Salt Lake City.

He lived in Rock Springs, Salt Lake City, Pocatello, Idaho and in the Ogden area since 1955.

He was educated in Rock Springs schools and was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Ogden. He was a member of the Unity Lodge No. 18 AF and AM.

He was a salesman for the Sears and Roebuck Co., retiring July 31, 1972.

Survivors include his widow of Ogden; two sons, Thomas R. Cook of Mesa, Ariz., and Robert E. Cook of Ogden; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild; one brother, Harold Cook at San Diego and one sister, Mrs. Dolly Brown of Rock Springs.

--Rock Springs Daily Rocket-Miner, Apr 4, 1987

Learn more about Thomas on the Firmage Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/firmagefamilyhistory/families/cook/thomas-unsworth-cook.

Obituary - Ellen Unsworth Cook Auld

MRS. ELLEN AULD DIES IN HOSPITAL FRIDAY AFTERNOON

Mrs. Ellen Auld, 77, a Rock Springs resident for the last 48 years died in Sweetwater Memorial hospital Friday at 1:40 p.m. She had made her home at 1205 Elk Street.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. in the LDS church with Bishop James Barnes officiating. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery.

Mrs. Auld was born May 5, 1876 in Leigh, Lancashire, England. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. John Firmage and Mrs. David Brown, Jr., both of Rock Springs, and Mrs. William Faddis of Kemmerer; and three sons, Arthur and Harold Cook of Rock Springs and Thomas Cook of Pocatello, Idaho.

Learn more about Ellen on the Firmage Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/firmagefamilyhistory/families/unsworth/ellen-unsworth.

Obituary - Gary Lee McPhie

CASPER - Visitation and greeting of the family of Casper resident Gary Lee McPhie, 62, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. today, Sept. 9, at Bustard's Funeral Home and Crematory. Another visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 12, at Lindquist Funeral Home in Ogden, Utah. Interment will be in North Ogden Cemetery.

He died Sept. 6, 2005, in Casper. Born July 8, 1943, in Rock Springs, the son of Janet (Firmage) and Edward George McPhie; and was raised and educated in Rock Springs and Pinedale.

On Oct. 15, 1982, he married Norine Dickemore in Farr West, Utah. They moved to Casper in 1987. He was employed by Interstate Brand/Sweetheart Bakery. His interests included sports, hunting, and fishing. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 22 years; two daughters, Lorey and Kay of Ogden; son, Gary Jr., of Casper; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.

Learn more about Gary Lee McPhie on the Firmage Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/firmagefamilyhistory/families/mcphie/gary-lee-mcphie.

Obituary - Janet Hunter Baxter Firmage

Patient Sufferer Passed Beyond

Mrs. John Firmage died at her home in this city, on Tuesday, April 15th, age 57 years, after many months of patient suffering. About a year ago while visiting in Salt Lake, she suffered a stroke of paralysis, and in a short time another stroke which left her in a very weak condition. She had been confined to her bed for many weeks, and a short time before her death, gangrene started in one foot, which caused her death.

Deceased was one of the oldest residents of this town, having come here from Scotland in 1872, and having lived in the one house for thirty years. Left to mourn her loss is her husband, three daughters, Mrs. Jeanette Hunter of Bicknell, Indiana, Mrs. Thos. Richie of Ogden, and Mrs. John White of this city, and son, John Firmage, Adam Cooper, a half brother, and George and Alex Hunter of Diamondville, and George McBride of Salt Lake.

Funeral services were conducted from the Mormon church Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock, Bishop James Crookston officiating. The floral offerings were many and beautiful.

--Rock Springs Rocket No. 22 April 18, 1913

Learn more about Janet on the Firmage Family History Website:

https://sites.google.com/site/firmagefamilyhistory/families/hunter/janet-hunter-1856.

Obituary - John Leonard Firmage

John Firmage, Sr. Passes

Mr. John Firmage, Sr., member of the Union Pacific Old Timers Association and 40-year Class of 1928, passed away at the Wyoming General Hospital on Thursday, April 6, 1944, where he had been a patient for over a year.

Mr. Firmage was born in Kirkealdy, Fifeshire, Scotland, and came to America at the age of 17 years. In 1886, at the age of 23 years, he arrived in Rock Springs and entered the employ of The Union Pacific Coal Company, working in No. 1 Mine until it was closed down in the year 1910. For a number of years he was boss driver at this mine when all hauling of coal underground was accomplished by the use of mules and horses. After the closing of this mine, Mr. Firmage was employed in similar capacity at No. 8 and No. 10 Mines, Rock Springs, rendering loyal and faithful service until his retirement in 1929. After retiring from the service of the company, Mr. Firmage moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. Each year on the occasion of the Old Timers celebration he never failed to be present. Some years ago on the death of his wife, he returned to Rock Springs and has made his home here. Mr. Firmage has made many friends in The Union Pacific Coal Company who regret to hear of his passing.

The funeral was held at the L. D. S. church of Rock Springs, of which he was a member, on April 9th, First Councilor James J. Johnson officiating. Participating in the services were two nephews, Mr. John Firmage of Salt Lake City, and Mr. Andrew Firmage, of American Fork, Utah. Surviving are his son, Mr. John Firmage, Jr., of Rock Springs, who is ill at the veterans' hospital in Salt Lake City; three daughters, Mrs. R. C. Barrass and Mrs. Edward Hoye, of Rock Springs, and Mrs. James Buchanan, of San Francisco; to whom we extend our sympathy.

--Union Pacific Coal Company Employees’ Magazine, May 1944

Learn more about John on the Firmage Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/firmagefamilyhistory/families/firmage/john-leonard-firmage-1863.

Obituary - Harold Cook

SAN DIEGO - Funeral services for Harold Cook were Friday at El Camino Memorial Park in San Diego.

Cook, 87, former Rock Springs resident died Monday, February 1, in San Diego where he had lived since 1954.

He was born October 17, 1905 in Rock Springs where he grew up and attended schools.

He worked in the coal mines in Rock Springs and for General Dynamics after he moved to California. He retired in 1970.

Survivors include a sister, Doll Brown of Rock Springs; a son Edward E. Cook, Oakhurst, Calif.; two daughters, Fay Miller, Logan, Utah, and Lois Begovich, El Cajon, Calif.; nine grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorene Howard Cook, September 24, 1967.

--Rock Springs Daily Rocket-Miner, February 6, 1993

Learn more about Harold on the Firmage Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/firmagefamilyhistory/families/cook/harold-cook.

Obituary - Peter Cook

Famed Morgan Canary Judge Dies at 82 After Long Illness

MORGAN – Peter Cook, 82, of Morgan, died yesterday at his home after an extended illness.

Mr. Cook had a national and international rating as a canary judge. He had judged canaries in every state and in Europe. He was believed to be the first U.S. judge invited to South America and also judged the first international show in Havana, Cuba.

He had raised canaries since 9 years of age and has had a “Canary College” where young birds were taught to sing. His birds were known around the world.

He was a retired Morgan City marshal and had also been a U.S. trapper.

He was a member of the LDS Church and an elder in the North Morgan Ward. He had been a member of the Morgan Ward until the ward was divided two months ago.

Wed in England

On Aug. 17, 1895, he married Anna Ellen Owen in Leigh, Lancashire, England. The couple later received endowments in the LDS Salt Lake Temple.

He was born June 17, 1872, in Lancashire, England, a son of John and Esther Eddon Cook. He came to the United States 52 years ago, residing in Milton, Morgan County and Rock Springs Wyo., before moving to Morgan.

Surviving are his widow, Morgan: one son, Cyril B. Cook, Klamath Falls, Ore.; one daughter: Mrs. Veda Hardy, Portland, Ore.; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, two sisters: Mrs. Emma Jones, Minimo [Nanaimo], British Columbia, and Mrs. Hannah Atherington, New Castle, England.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the LDS Morgan Tabernacle, Bishop Earl Butters of the Morgan Ward officiating.

Friends may call at the family home tomorrow night and Wednesday until 1:30 p.m. Burial will be in North Morgan cemetery, directed by Lindquist and Sons Colonial Funeral Chapel, 3408 Washington Blvd.

Learn more about Peter on the Firmage Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/firmagefamilyhistory/families/cook/peter-cook-1872.