Orlando Joseph "Joe" Armajo

Orlando Joseph “Joe” Armajo, 82, passed away March 24, 2020, at Hot Springs County Hospital in Thermopolis, Wyo.

Born February 5, 1938, in Fort Washakie, Wyo., he was one of 8 children born to Adolf and Edith (White Plume) Armajo, Sr. While serving in the Army he met his future wife, Ruth Leatherman, who also was in the Army. They married June 9, 1962, in San Antonio, Texas.

For most of his life, Joe was a heavy equipment operator in the mining industry in Wyoming and South Dakota, including over 20 years with Kerr McGee Mine at Jacob’s Ranch Mine.  For a short time, he was employed at the University of Wyoming in maintenance. Following retirement, Joe and Ruth moved from Gillette, Wyo., to Thermopolis in 2000. For a few years he was employed at the Arapahoe Ranch.

Joe was a member of First Baptist Church. He loved ranch work, riding and caring for his horse, branding, team roping, and rodeo. He was an avid Bobcat basketball and football fan.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years; children, Virgil (Denise) Armajo of Gillette and Rebecca (Tony) Garhart of Upton; brother, Alfred, Sr. of Ethete; grandchildren, Byron Armajo and Chris Garhart; and nine nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Orlando Jr .; granddaughter, Nicole Garhart; brothers, John, Tom, Eli Sr., Perry James, Adolph Jr .; and sisters, Myrtle, Kathy and Leona.

Memorial services are planned for a later date.

Mortimore Funeral Home is assisting the family and messages may be offered at http://www.mortfh.com.