Melvin LeRoy Rives

Melvin LeRoy Rives — aged 82 — passed peacefully on July 16, 2025, at Bighorn Rehab Center surrounded by the love of his daughter, his grandchildren, and his wife. The Wyoming skies opened up and cried in memoriam of Melvin—the man who honored and took care of the land like no other.

Melvin was born on October 30, 1942, to Loren and Gladys Rives in Buffalo, Wyoming. In high school, Melvin was an active member of the Johnson County FFA before graduating with the class of 1961. After high school, he went on to ranch alongside his father, Loren, until his passing in 1993. He married Patsy Jean Miller on December 23, 1968, in Gillette, Wyoming and they settled in Johnson County, Wyoming where Melvin began working briefly for the Esponda Ranch on Clear Creek before ranching for Reynold’s Mining Company Ranch, later known as the Texaco Ranch. Still working with his father, Melvin eventually garnered the title of foreman for the Texaco Ranch. Those who know Melvin, those who had the privilege of seeing him ranch, know better than anyone else that there was not a horse he couldn’t break or a ditch he couldn’t irrigate.

The grass was always greener when it was tended to by Melvin Rives. People across the state of Wyoming would travel miles upon miles only to have Melvin break their horse. He retired from ranching in 2003, but even in his old age, Melvin was certain that there wasn’t a horse he couldn’t break, and that might just be the case.

In his free time, Melvin was an avid fisherman and horseman, instilling the love of the land into his children. If he wasn’t working, he often preferred to be in the Big Horn Mountains on horseback. There will be an open saddle for Melvin Rives at the 2025 Johnson County Fair and Rodeo to honor his rodeo achievements.

Melvin was quick-witted, sarcastic, stubborn, and often described as “tough as nails.” He had a smile that could only be understood as a “Rives’ smile”—the same smile that will continue to live on through his children and his grandchildren.

He is unforgettable and irreplaceable. He is survived by his wife Patsy Rives of Buffalo, son Ricky Rives of Gillette, Wyoming, daughter Melanie Rives and husband Eric of Truckee, California, and Dreama Rives of Fort Worth, Texas. Melvin received the title of “Grandad” in 1994 and is also survived by his eight grandchildren; Bryton Hill and his wife Samantha Hill, Savannah Hill, Brady Hill, Jackson Hill, Aspen Hill, Spencer Hill, Benjamin Maycock, and Paxton Maycock. He is preceded in death by his parents Loren and Gladys, and his brothers Dick and Gary.

Funeral services for Melvin LeRoy Rives will be held on Monday, July 21st, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the Harness Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo, Wyoming.

Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Sunday, July 20th, from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and again on Monday from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM.

Melvin’s final resting place will be at Willow Grove Cemetery in Buffalo, Wyoming.

Donations in Melvin’s memory may be made to the Buffalo High School FFA program, honoring his deep ties to ranching, agriculture, and the land he loved.