Neil DeLapp

Neil was born on April 19, 1930, to Ralph Emerson DeLapp Sr. and Cora L. Williams DeLapp in Sheridan, Wyoming. Shortly after, the family moved to Havre, Montana. Leaving Havre, they returned to the Brown place northeast of Acme, Wyoming. They later resided at the R. T. Williams ranch north of Sheridan before moving to Lower Tongue River.

He attended Acme School for grades 1 through 8 and graduated from Sheridan High School in 1948. After high school, he joined the Navy and served as a Hospital Corpsman Second Class during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in August 1953.

Neil married Norma Faye Reavis on September 19, 1953. They lived in the Banner, Wyoming area. He attended the University of Wyoming, receiving a BS Degree in Range Management. Their first child, Tana, was born on June 8, 1954. Thirteen months later, Brett was born on July 7, 1955. In 1959, they bought a ranch on Lower Tongue River, and shortly after, their third child, Jill, was born on October 17, 1960. They ranched there until purchasing a ranch west of Kaycee, Wyoming, in 1979.

He ran a yearling operation throughout the years, taking great care of his cattle and being a responsible steward of the land. He enjoyed identifying native grasses on his ranch and operating his dozer to build roads and push dirt. Neil was an avid collector of Winchester rifles and old coins. He enjoyed planting evergreen trees and sharing apples from his orchard.

Neil was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Norma Faye; brothers Ralph DeLapp and Don DeLapp; sisters Dora Lupton and Harriet DeLapp; and grandchildren Troy Ankney and Kali Jo Ankney.

He is survived by his children: Brett DeLapp and Darcy of Kaycee, Wyoming; daughters Tana Ankney of Lower Tongue River and Jill DeLapp of Sheridan, Wyoming; three grandchildren: Nevada (Karin) DeLapp of Brandon, Mississippi, Fawnie (Seth) Erickson of Spearfish, South Dakota, and Shawn (Kandra) Ankney of Badger Creek, Wyoming. He is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren: Wyatt Ankney, Brayton Ankney, Josie Ankney, Moray Ankney, Loral Ankney, Karlee Ankney, Kaycee Ankney, Alethea DeLapp, Evangeline DeLapp, Seraphina DeLapp, Adeline Erickson, and Lainey Erickson.

Memorials can be sent to The Welch Cancer Center and Hoofprints of the Past Museum, Kaycee, Wyoming.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church with Military Honors. Interment will take place at the Elks section of the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery, where Neil will be laid to rest next to his wife. Following interment, a luncheon will be held at the Elks Lodge.

Online condolences may be written at www.championfh.com. Champion Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.