James Joseph Hladky

Mass of Christian Burial for James J. Hladky will be Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, at 10 a.m. St. Matthews Catholic Church with Fathers Ogg, Kadera, Jacobson and Martinson and the Rev. Andrew Carsrud officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011, with a rosary service to follow at 7 p.m. at St. Matthew's Catholic Church. James, a resident of Gillette, died Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, when his helicopter went down between Wall and Phillip, S.D. He was 64 years old. James is survived by his wife, Susan L. Hladky; his mother Dorothy Hladky of Gillette; his two sons, J. Patrick (Jean) Hladky and Paul A. (Andrea) Hladky, all of Gillette; six grandchildren; his sisters, Peggy (Mike) Mahoney of Casper and Patricia (Darrell) Bennett of Sheridan and his brother Mike (Judy) Hladky of Gillette. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Tammy M. Hladky and his father Ernest Hladky. James was born in Lexington, Neb., on Dec. 15, 1946, the son of Ernest and Dorothy (Colston) Hladky. He moved with his parents and siblings to Gillette in 1955. He graduated from Campbell County High School in 1965 and attended Casper and Sheridan Colleges. In 1967, he married Susan Jessen of Rozet. In 1975, he formed Cyclone Drilling with two partners, whose shares he eventually purchased. His sons joined him in the business after graduating from college in 1997. Among their other business ventures, in 2009, James and his sons acquired the Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club and development in Apache Junction, Ariz. At the time of his death, James served on the Wyoming Transportation Commission and the Board of Directors of First National Bank of Gillette and was a Trustee of St. Matthew's Catholic Church of Gillette. James's charitable contributions in the community helped found the Tammy Hladky Center of Hope, the American Legion baseball field and the John Paul II Catholic School at St. Matthew's Catholic Church. James was an avid pilot. He and his wife Susan travelled extensively both in the United States and abroad. He loved to sail and spend time with his family at their home on Flathead Lake in Montana. In lieu of flowers, memorials and condolences may be sent in Mr. Hladky's name in care of Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, WY 82716 to benefit John Paul II Catholic School, Advocates for Visual Arts (AVA) or Boys and Girls Club of Gillette. Condolences also may be sent via the Internet to www.walkerfuneralgillette.com