Obituary for Shirley Humphrey Shirley Humphrey, 81, former Wyoming State Legislator, educator and Wyoming Department of Education employee and consultant, died at her home in Cheyenne July 17, 2018. Shirley Joy Reed was born May 26, 1937, in Fort Morgan, Colo. , to Verlan and Inez (Tanner) Reed.
She grew up in Colorado and Cheyenne, graduating from Cheyenne Senior High School with the class of 1955. An active 4-H member, she was named “Miss Wyoming Wool” in 1957. In 1959 she earned a bachelor of education degree from the University of Wyoming and later went on to receive a master’s degree.
While at UW she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and remained active in its alumni association. She was married to Jack Humphrey on Aug. 9, 1959 in Cheyenne.
Shirley and her family moved to Albin in 1964 where she taught home economics until 1973, after which she moved to Cheyenne and served on the adjunct faculty at Laramie County Community College for a few years before joining the Wyoming Department of Education as the career and technical education director for more than 20 years. Following retirement she served as a consultant for the state department of education. She was also active in many state and national career and technical education organizations, promoting them nationally at hearings in Washington, D.C. Business ventures included operating “Shirley’s Interiors” and business manager of Humphrey Sod Farm east of Cheyenne.
As an active member of the Cheyenne Civic League her passion was promoting its Christmas house. She was a dedicated bridge player and competed on a weekly basis. Active in Laramie County politics, as a Democrat she served in the Wyoming Legislature for eight years—1983 to 1992—on the following House of Representatives committees: Appropriations; Revenue; Agriculture, Public Lands & Water Rerdzt/s; Education, and Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions.
Following retirement from state government, she and Jack spent fifteen years traveling in their motor home where they visited every state across the continental USA at least once, plus visiting most of Canada and all but five states in Mexico in their RV. They also enjoyed many space available flights around the world during that time. A staunch supporter of the University of Wyoming and its education college, Shirley was also a life member of the UW Alumni Association, Cowboy Joe Club and Steer of the Year program as well as a long-time season ticket holder.
The Humphrey’s tail gate parties in their motor home were classics, with Shirley helping prepare the meals and serving as a gracious hostess. In 2004 they purchased a home in Sun City, AZ where they spent their winters. Shirley is survived by a son Mike and his wife Rebecca, a daughter Marci Mansfield and her husband Joe, and grandchildren Lauren, Grant and Garrett Humphrey and Brandon Altman and Kassidy (Altman) Washek.
She also is survived by an “adopted” son Norm Altman and his wife Julie. She was preceded in death by her husband Jack on March 16, 2018, her parents, and a sister, Velma Jean Surles. Because of their devotion to education, agriculture and young people the family has established a scholarship fund for people to make donations in Shirley’s and Jack’s name at Cheyenne State Bank, 101 West 19th Street, Cheyenne WY, 8200l.
A Celebration of Life for Shirley is scheduled at a tailgate party before the Wyoming vs. Boise football game on Sept. 29 in Laramie at UW starting at 2 p.m. Condolences may be sent to: Mike Humphrey, P.O. Box 430, Glendo, WY 82213, and Marci Mansfield, 319 Adams St., Conneaut, Ohio 44030.
Wiederspahn-Radomsky Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Shirley Humphrey please visit our Sympathy Store.
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