Monte John Best

In Loving Memory of Monte J. Best
Monte passed away at his home as per his wishes, he was blessed to spend his last days with his 3 girls and their loved ones.
Monte was born August 10, 1932, to Clair and Juanita Best in McGrew, Nebraska. He attended his early school years in Gering, Nebraska. A lot of his childhood summers were spent at Laramie Peak with his Grand Parents, John & Leora Wright, who owned a sawmill there.
In 1946 Monte's Parents and grandparents moved to Kinnear Wyoming, where he attended school at Morton. After 2 years in Kinnear his parents move to Hyattsville, Wyoming, graduating in 1952 from Basin High School.
1952 was an eventful year, he met his future bride Corky Patchen on a blind date, enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and was assigned to the USS BON HOMME RICHARD. During his time aboard the ship, he was promoted into Secret Service. As well as receiving two medals of honor, Korean Service Medal and the National Defense and United Nations Medal Good Conduct Medal.
Throughout his time in the Navy, Corky & Monte continued their long-distance relationship where upon returning home on leave, they were married September 19th, 1955. Corky would join him at Hunters Point Naval Base San Francisco, while he finished his term in the Navy. Upon completion of his service, the couple moved back to the family farm in Kinnear.
It was in Kinnear that Monte & Corky began raising their family; three daughters were born from this union. Sherryl, Joni & Patty.
After a brief period of time farming and working with is Dad at Best & Sons meat packing plant, the couple moved to Lander where they opened Best Lockers on South Second Street. With the increasing demand for custom meat processing due to US Steel and the uranium mines throughout Fremont County they expanded their custom meat operation and re-located their business West of Lander on Baldwin Creek Road, renaming it Best Packing Company. Monte & Corky continued to run the Best Packing from the early sixties to the early Eighties when they decided to sell out and retire.
After retiring, they enjoyed traveling from Alaska to Mexico, spending winters in the Southwest along the Arizona Strip.
Monte was a "Salt of the Earth" kind of guy use to hard work, and the leisure life of a retiree wasn't his thing. For the next 25 years him and Corky, took up a job with the U.S. Forest Service packing horses, maintaining trails, and supplying trail crews throughout Absaroka Mountains from the reservation line to the Yellowstone Park Boundary, as well as the Wind River Mountains from Dubois to Lander.
During these years working for the forest service, they continued to spend their winters in Arizona. Where they made many new friends.
Our dad enjoyed Square Dancing and playing cards with family and friends. Spending time with family and grand kids. He was as avid Lander Tiger fan, as well as Wyoming Cowboys Football and Wyoming Cowgirl basketball and in recent years Indiana Fever Women Basketball. Dad loved riding his horses in the mountains, fishing, camping, hiking, rock hunting and wood crafts.
Monte was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Etta "Corky", his parents Clair, and Juanita Best and sister Janice Long.
He is survived by his daughters, Sherryl (John) Gores, Joni (Mack) Miller & Patty (Dan) Brubaker, Grand Children, Jake (Tiffany) Gores, Shelby Gores, Cody Brubaker and Clint Brubaker, Great Grand Children, Chance, Triniti, Bridger & Monte.
A very special thank you to Dr. Adams and Colleen at the VA Center in Riverton, Enhabit Home Health & Hospice and especially Kali Mazurie and everyone else for their compassion and dignity in caring for our Dad.
A graveside service will be held August 2nd, 2025 @10:00 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery, with a reception at Mountain Vista Retirement Center 180 Chase Dr, Lander. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Monte's name to Lander Pioneer Museum. Please sign the on-line guest book: hudsonfh.com or cards & letters can be sent to the family c/o Joni Miller, 6722 Hwy 28 Lander, WY 82520.
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