Russell Leon Imeson

Russell Leon Imeson was born May 9, 1939 in Jackson, Wyoming to Lon Lincoln Imeson and Ida Lenora Praisewater Imeson. He was the third child of four and the only boy in his family. Russ grew up in Hoback Junction, Wyoming and spent many years hunting and guiding around the Jackson area. He moved his family to Big Piney in 1976 where he first managed a ranch on Cottonwood Creek, then worked as a roustabout in the oil fields and as a mechanic and activity bus driver for the school district’s bus garage. In 1984, he moved once again to Star Valley, where he lived for the remainder of his life, working at various ventures around the valley.

Russell married Dawn Omega Johnson on November 5, 1963 in Elko, Nevada. To this union were born four children: Nick Lon, Anna Dawn, Clint Ray, and Rocky Russell.

Russell’s occupations throughout his life were varied and included big game guide and outfitter; haying and carpentry; feeding elk on the feed ground; spraying for bugs and chopping brush in the national parks and forests; partnering in a construction business; ranching and roust-a-bouting; working as a mechanic and activity bus driver; raising feeder calves and sheep; managing a trailer park; owning and operating a garbage business; and operating heavy equipment.

Of all Russ’ favorite activities, which included metal-detecting, prospecting, gold-panning, rock-hounding, arrowhead-hunting, woodworking, reading and camping, Russ loved hunting the most. That was an activity he really enjoyed doing with family. Snowmobiling was another of his favorite activities, and he had many exciting adventures with friends and family in the mountains around the Hoback.

Russell was a voracious reader and could usually be found with a book, magazine, or newspaper in his hand. He liked to read western stories, and when he lacked anything else to read, would turn to the encyclopedia.

Russell was very versatile and talented. He was an excellent carpenter, who could figure out how to construct any angle with ease. He also obtained his pilot’s license, learning to fly at the airport owned by his uncle and cousin, Paul and Sparky Imeson. Russ was a good mechanic and taught all his boys how to repair machinery and vehicles. He was also a good hand to have around when working cows. Russ’ superior guiding skills were learned from his father and earned him a loyal, big-game hunting clientele.

Russell returned to his heavenly home the evening of Saturday, November 2, 2019, just 3 days shy of his 56th wedding anniversary. He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends. Russ is survived by his wife, Dawn; sisters, Harriett (Jim) Wilson, Patricia (Don) Tucker, and Dorothy (Mick) Timmons; children, Nick (Teresa) Imeson, Anna (Randall) Helm, and Rocky (Crystal) Imeson; 8 (soon to be 9) grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Lon and Lenora Imeson; son, Clint Ray Imeson; and granddaughter, Chloe Mae Imeson.