Military honors will be presented at the Dubois Cemetery on June 15, 2024 at 10 a.m. A celebration of life will follow at the Absaroka Ranch at 5 p.m. All who loved and appreciated him are invited to attend.
David L. Ingram, of Dubois, passed away peacefully on Jan. 11, 2024 at Help for Health Hospice in Riverton.
Born Sept. 10, 1948 in Rolla, Mo., he was 75 years old. Dave began his education in a one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Rolla High School in 1966. He attended college in Illinois, majoring in education history.
Dave’s love affair with Wyoming began on a family trip to Triangle C when he was 13. The plan was a week at the ranch and on to Disneyland. On the way to California, Dave and his six siblings were asked if they wanted to head west to stay at the ranch for another week. The vote was unanimous for the ranch and they promptly turned around.
Dave worked at Triangle C every summer until 1969 when he joined the Navy and became an aircraft mechanic aboard the aircraft carrie USS Oriskany and did one tour in Vietnam. Honorable discharged in 1973, Dave returned to Wyoming, and with his uncle, purchased the Big Diamond Ranch. During that time he also worked for Lava Creek Ranch as a summer pack trip and fall hunting guide in the Teton Wilderness.
In 1976, they sold the Big Diamond and Dave went to work for Joe and Millie Detimore at Highland Meadow Ranch (now Absaroka Ranch) in the Dunoir Valley. He guided summer pack trips and fall hunting from their Cub Creek and 5-Fork of the Buffalo camps.
Budd Betts purchased the ranch in 1983. Dave came on full-time in 1987 for Budd and Emi as ranch foreman and pack trip and hunting guide until 2021. He was an exceptionally skilled and hardworking employee and friend. Dave could do just about anything– carpentry, electrical, plumbing and mechanics. He loved his horses and was an exceptional cowboy with a calm and gentle demeanor. He even opened the “Hey Dave” leather shop on the ranch and repaired all of the tack, made custom saddles and was famous for his chinks and chaps which he made for ranch staff and guests.
Dave won the Guide of the Year Award in 2009 from the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association, an honor that he treasured. He could travel the backcountry as if it were his backyard and became a western legend with his knowledge. Dave was a dedicated employee and kindhearted friend who was always ready for an adventure or to help anyone anytime. His love for Wyoming and the western lifestyle was evident everyday he was with us. He lived his dream life in a place he loved with people he adored and who admired and loved him in return.
Dave will be missed by his “ranch family,” staff and guests and everyone he touched over these many years.
Survivors included three sisters– Sharon Lewis, Mary Kuelker and Ruth Anderson (Dennis); brothers John “Wally” and Paul; nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Ruth; younger bother Richard; and three brothers-in-law.