John David Traut

John David Traut died August 21, 2007 at the Central Wyoming Hospice Home. John was born December 17, 1926 in Casper, Wyoming. He was the third of four children of John L. and Lydia (Miller) Traut who were both Germans from Russia.

John was raised in Casper and graduated from NCHS in 1945. He served with the U.S. Army in Alaska during the WWII. Upon his return, he attended Casper College and the University of Wyoming. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology in 1951. He started his career with Marathon Oil Company as a Petroleum Exploration Geologist and remained there until 1974.

In 1974, John started a geological consulting firm with Earl Hegna and Jolms Kerns: Hegna, Kerns and Traut. In 1979, he formed Tyrex Oil Company. He took the company public as an over-the-counter stock on NASDAQ in 1980. He retired from Tyrex in 1996. John was a member of the AAPG and the Wyoming Geological Association, past president of the WGA, a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and a Frank Morgan recipient for meritorious achievement, Wyoming Geological Association in 1978.

It was during his course work at the science camp in Centennial, Wyoming that he met Virginia Ann Norton from National City, CA They were married on Oct. 27,1951. John and Virginia began their great adventure together with John's employment with the Ohio (Marathon) Oil Company, living and working in all of the Rocky Mountain States as well as Guatemala, C.A. They had two daughters, Barbara and Nancy, who shared many wonderful adventures with them.

Upon retirement, the ever-curious John became interested in the construction and design of jewelry. He fed that interest through many classes at Casper College Visual Arts Department. It was a perfect outlet for both his love of rocks and his interest in learning new things. Many friends and family have been honored to receive his original pieces for their collections. John was never at a loss for having one of his many friends join him in pursuit of his lifelong interests in fly fishing, fly rod construction and any other type of fishing; where ever that took him. He enjoyed many a far-flung fishing trips and loved to travel to different parts of the world as a tourist, student or a fisherman. Through his varied interests, he came to know many wonderft:l friends. A true test of a man's worth.

John lost his beloved wife Virginia in 1985. John was preceded in death by his brother Leroy, his parents and best friend Mary Lou.

In addition to many wonderful friends, John is survived by his daughters, Barbara Traut of Ft. Collins, CO; Nancy D'Hooge and her husband Jolm of Lakewood, CO; sister Katherine Clark and her husband Wayne of Casper; brother Wyborne of Corvallis, OR; granddaughters, Sarah McClelland, Mallory D'Hooge, Annn D'Hooge and Audrey D'Hooge and grandson David McClelland. Favorite niece, Debby and her husband Richard Jay of Casper; nephews Donald Traut and Davis Traut and his wife Irina; his uncle, Albert Miller of Greeley, CO., great nephews: Derek Jay, Ryan Jay, Justin Traut, Timothy Traut, and great nieces, Kathrine and Johanna Traut. Also survived by numerous cousins, including Walker Miller and family of Greeley, CO.

John's life will be celebrated at St. Marks' Episcopal Church at 10:00 A.M. on August 23, 2007. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Central Wyoming Hospice or lo the Casper College Visual Art Department would be appreciated by the family.

"I've had a good life!"