The Star of Bethlehem shines brightly across the Cora Valley where it rests peacefully above the old Noble ranch barn, and a sad-eyed collie dog lays upon the stone porch waiting to hear his master's four-wheeler fire up… Richard Roy "Dick" Noble was born on December 15, 1936, in Rock Springs, Wyoming to Carroll R. and Christina Noble (whose dad was Pinedale's first sheriff). He died on December 15, 2015 near Cora, Wyoming at the historic Centennial ranch he dearly loved. We often times pick the day we come into this world and don't get to pick the day we go out. But, it came to pass, that the Lord picked Dick up the same day he dropped him off, 79 years later. He is preceded in death by his wife, Louise, his baby daughter, Kelly Elizabeth, his mother and father, his brother Mike Noble, and his sister Pat Pearson. Dick's early schooling began in the little one-room Cora schoolhouse. On frosty, winter mornings he would arise, catch a good horse, and at a high lope, pull his brother Jim on skis across the snowy flats and come to a sliding stop at the little country school. Pranks were pulled on fellow students and mischief dealt to the teacher, but still the lessons of life were offered for the taking and happily considered. Later, Dick completed his high school education in Pinedale, Wyoming where he played football and basketball for PHS. On September 23, 1958, in the little white LDS church near Pine Creek, Dick married the love of his life, Louise Simpson, whom he had met when she worked during the summertime for the Binning family across the meadow from the ranch. They began a courtship which led to 42 years of marriage, five children, thirteen grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Dick became a member of the LDS Church on October 24, 1963. He and Louise were then sealed for eternity in the Logan, Utah Temple on November 4, 1964. From 1974 to 1981, Dick served as Bishop in Pinedale and thereafter was called to serve on the high counsel of the church. And always with church and faith in mind, Dick loved the workings of the family's cattle, sheep, and horse ranch, which has raised six-generations of Nobles, and he especially loved the majesty of its wide, open spaces. It was there he could live the teachings of his church by helping those he especially cared about: the youth of his community. Many kids came and went through those old ranch gates—gates that were always left wide open and welcoming. The bunkhouse was always alive with youngsters who simply needed a warm bed, a safe haven, a comforting hug, gentle encouragement, and a plate load of Dick and Louise's tasty vittles. "Just keep makin' pancakes, Louise; there's more kids in the bunkhouse this mornin'!" And in the evening time, when the day's work was done, Dick and Louise loved to watch what they called "the purple cloak of night" bathe the valley in its magic glow. Dick loved the mountains and the pack trips the family provided through their outfitting business, the Flying U. And always, in the most remote of wilderness, Dick would find someone along a mountain trail and call him: Friend. He was drawn to people and people to him. One young woman told the family: "Know why I loved your Dad? It's because he loved me and never judged me." One of Dick's favorite sayings was: "I hate the guys who criticize and minimize the other guy's enterprise, which makes them rise above the guys who criticize!" And he was fond of saying: "You'll get happy in the same pants you got mad in or go home and change!" Dick loved breaking and giving away good saddle horses and work teams—Bally Rabbit, Vicki Gin, Nicky Tom Boy, and a mare called Freddie, and old Ichabod and Billy and Charlie. When his daughter Tina asked him why he did it, he replied, "There's a lot more good horses that can wear this old saddle and harness." When Louise died in 2000, Dick was left to continue his life on the ranch with his kids and grandkids. Seven years later, though, he met Margaret Ellen Sims and on July 27, 2007 they were married and sealed in the Ogden, Utah Temple. With great joy, he always liked telling of Maggie's and his summers of 2008 and 2009 and their handcart mission together at Sixth Crossing near Muddy Gap, Wyoming. Maggie and Dick would dress up in pioneer clothing, all fit and fine, and share stories of the past with kids known as "trekkers" who attended the event. The youth would re-enact the pulling of the Willy and Martin handcarts, as was done so many years ago, and Dick would saddle up old Bally or Mort or Slick and either follow along or meet along the dusty trail to keep the kids mesmerized with more intriguing storytelling. Throughout the years, Dick served his community and supported its activities in many arenas. For several years, he was on the board of the Sublette County Community Counseling; he and Louise participated in Rendezvous as an antelope soldier and Indian maiden, who performed the Lord's Prayer in sign language during many pageants, and for several more years, was a wagon teamster and an outrider whose job was to stop runaway horseback riders and wagons. He loved the running of the cutters down main street Pinedale in the days of yesteryear. Dick loved sharing the live Cowboy Nativity with the community for 28 years; this tradition will continue. And many folks did not know that Dick loved to pencil sketch; ducks and geese were his favorite subjects. And he especially loved the soothing, peaceful notes of grandson Brandon's cello. For many years, Dick attended every sporting event he could. From rodeo to school activities, he was every athlete's grandpa; every student's biggest fan; every sport's favorite mascot. He cheered kids when they won and even when they did not, saying, "Pick your heads up, you can do it!" He earned the nickname Chappy, as he always carried a tube of chapstick in his pocket, and it was definitely considered community property. And over the years, there was many a young boy who waited for Dick's special talk on how to be a man. In his later years, like Hank the Cow Dog, Dick was designated head of ranch security by his son-in-law, James. Fire up the four-wheeler! Lots of fence lines and livestock to check every day, maybe two times, three times, or more! Hurry, hurry! Busy, busy! Work to be done! And babysitting the little ones was a special time for Dick and his tiny crew. Many, sneaky, between-meal snacks were gleefully consumed! Everyone will sorely miss this gentle man who was always there for anyone in need of him and the solace of his company. His neighbors said his word was his bond; a man of integrity. Indeed, Dick was a special man—deep inside—top to bottom—start to finish. He loved his family, his church, and his friends. Whatever was happening and wherever it was, Dick's family was always doing it together. This simply made him very happy. Dick Noble is survived by his wife Maggie and his children and their families: Rick Noble (Karen/son Brandon (Victoria); Tina Nelson (James/son Sam (Jamiee/daughter Katie), daughter Mardy Sleight (Keith/children Clairee, Konner, Shonee, Zaydee, and Riggins), son Neal (Nicole/daughter Paige), son Gus; Pat Noble (Nova/children Caleb, Sarah, Miles, Duncan, Whitaker, and Emerson); and Rob Noble (Shelli/children Robynn and Joe (Kaci and Rynlie); Dick's brother Jim Noble (Margret); sister-in-law Ruth Noble; brother-in-law Ben Pearson; and numerous nieces and nephews. The Star shines brightly on the old home ranch and a sad-eyed dog waits…