Eugene Lovato, a lifelong resident of Riverton Wyoming, passed away Saturday August 31, 2024 after a long battle with Cancer and residual circumstances from a work accident he survived in 1981. Services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, September 7, 2024, at the Davis Funeral Home, Riverton Wyoming. Interment will be held following the service at Mountain View Cemetery, Riverton Wyoming. After this there will be an open house and meal that will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints Cultural Hall, located at 430 Elizabeth Drive, Riverton Wyoming.
Eugene was the fourth child born to the union of Joseph Eloy Lovato Sr. and Esther Frances (Perea) Lovato. He was born in Riverton Wyoming at Delfelder Hall. He attended Elementary and secondary schools in Riverton.
He left school and began working and residing with Ernest and Emma Freeman. Eugene joined the National guard in1959 and was deployed on peacekeeping detail during his service. He was a lifelong oilfield worker and operated one of the very first Hydrotesting outfits in Wyoming.
He met his future wife in high school, Estelle (Spencer) Lovato, and they married, March 26th, 1964 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Eugene and Estelle purchased their home in Riverton and resided there for their entire lives. To their union they welcomed six children. Michelle Rusco (Jerry) of Eugene, Oregon, Alana Humphries of Sugar City, Idaho, A. Kay Vigil (Mike), of Riverton, Wyoming, Ernest Lovato (Sheila) of Billings, Montana, E. Bianca Hatch (John) of Riverton, Wyoming, and Kelly Lovato of Riverton, Wyoming. He had 13 Grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. He knew each one personally and was proud of his posterity.
Eugene participated in many community projects and was a member of the Jaycees earning a Lifetime service distinction award. He mentored youth through hunter’s safety, boxing and bowling. He enjoyed being active and involved in outdoor sports participating in football, hunting, fishing and running. He enjoyed Fireworks, a good steak, cars, the Casino, board games and oldies music.
He was a person of impenetrable character with a sense of moral and unwavering integrity. He was without guile, what you saw with him was real and genuine. He had a strong sense of fairness and community, often helping and supporting others before thinking of himself. He performed many unknown, unseen acts of service and kindness without seeking attention. He was a great friend, neighbor and citizen. He is remembered by his family as a tough, resilient person with a philosophy of service, equality, integrity and honesty.
He is survived by his six children, twelve grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren; sister Flora (Lovato) Apodaca of Riverton, Wyoming; brother James Lovato of Riverton, Wyoming; brother-in-law, Lewis Spencer (Betty) of Idaho and their children; aunts, Eloisa Walters of Riverton, Wyoming and Carolyn Perea, of Casper, Wyoming; extended family of cousins, nieces Nora and Celina, nephews Rudy, Tommy and Mathew Apodaca, of Riverton, Wyoming His many friends, neighbors and acquaintances he met throughout his lifetime.
He was proceeded in death by his wife Estelle; mother Francis; father Eloy Lovato; sister Eva Frances Lovato; brothers Joseph Eloy Lovato Jr., and Joseph Arthur Lovato; granddaughter Krystal Teresa Fitzsimonds; grandparents, two nieces and two nephews, one unknown child, all were children of his sister Flora
The family asks that any memorials be sent in care of Davis Funeral home.
On-line condolences may be made at TheDavisFuneralHome.com
Services under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Crematory, and Monuments.