Bryant Mccleary

Funeral services for "Cactus" Bryant McCleary will be held on Tuesday January 22, 2013 at 10am at Newcomer Funeral Home. Public visitation will be at the chapel on Monday the 21st from 6 to 7pm. Burial will be at Glenrock Cemetery following the service. Cactus passed away on Wednesday the 16th in the comfort of his own home. He was born in Casper on October 20, 1921 to Marion "Mike" and Lena (Brooks) McCleary. Cactus was raised on the Banner Ranch. Growing up he attended the little red school house. His sisters and he would ride their horses to get to class every day. In ninth grade he had to move to Casper for high school, attending NC, and he boarded at the Hemry Home. Anyone who knew him at all never called him Bryant. At some point in high school he picked up the name Cactus and it stuck. Cactus also took up biking, owning two Harleys. He learned to ride them while tending cow camp before terrorizing Glenrock. Cactus attended UW before going back home during WWII to help on the ranch. He was in the process of being drafted but the war came to a close. After that he never left the ranch where he put his blood, sweat, and tears into the life he loved. Ranching was his passion; he liked good horses and his Herford cattle. He worked alongside his family using his 4 wheeler for his legs until he was 90, and then continued to guide us with his early morning sourdough pancakes and coffee. Over the years, he played in several bands. The most memorable one was the Whiskey Mountain Four. Cactus was a talented musician, where he played at many a dance hall from Glenrock to the Shirley Basin. He also rode broncs in many rodeos throughout Wyoming in his younger years. In his short stint at UW, he helped found the Rodeo Team. Later he took up flying. He could check the ranch out in short order in his Cessna. Cactus flew his family all over to enjoy Flying Farmer Fly-ins and even flew Barb to Canada for a convention. It was a terribly sad day during the 70's when he lost his medical and had to sell his plane. He was an active member of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association and the Odd Fellows Lodge for years. Through the years he supported many kids including his own in 4-H and FFA. Cactus first married Karen Hale. They had one daughter, Lynn. After divorcing, on June 1, 1961 he married Barbara Carr Svrko. Three kids came to this union; Mike, Wendy, and Shelly, as well as accepting Barb's three children Floyd, Larry, and Sue into his family. His many grandkids and great grandkids were his pride and joy. He enjoyed hearing about all their activities and antics. Cactus would always tell them "Be good and if you can't be good, be careful."

Cactus is survived by a sister Lenora Kirkhart and husband Everett, his sons Mike McCleary and wife Laura, Floyd Svrko and wife Lois; daughters Lynn Kouri, Wendy Benefiet and husband Dan, Shelly Trumbull and husband Monty. He had 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews and their families.

Cactus was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Marian "Mick", son Larry Svrko, daughter Sue (Svrko) Williams; grandson Monti Henderson and wife Barbara. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in his name to the Wyoming Historic Governor's Mansion 300 East 21st Cheyenne, WY 82001 or Central Wyoming Hospice 319 South Wilson Street Casper WY. 82601. Both held special interests for Cactus.