Clarence "Speed" Hartbank

Clarence "Speed"

Hartbank

Clarence "Speed" Hartbank died January 13, 2016, at the Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado.

Speed was born in Moweaqua, Illinois, on May 13, 1936, to Clarence Sr. and Lelah Brookshier Hartbank. He attended schools in the Decatur area, graduating in 1954. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1955 and was stationed aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Princeton (CV 37), where he was educated in mechanics.

On April 23, 1960, he was wed to Linda Doyle from the Ivesdale area. They made their home in Lincoln, Illinois, where their three children, Keith, Brian and Teresa were born.

The family moved to Kinnear, Wyoming, in 1970 where Speed utilized his mechanics education by opening a garage in the community. Along with ranching and farming, Speed became a volunteer firefighter for the Morton-Kinnear Fire Department, which later became part of the Fremont County Fire District.

For 45 years Speed belonged to the firefighter family, being not only a firefighter but an EMS, a Chief, a Captain, a Deputy Chief and was even honored by being chosen as the Fremont County Fireman of the Year.

Speed eventually hung up his "grease gun" and became the bus supervisor for the Wind River School District at Pavillion. He was always surrounded by his fellow ranchers, farmers and firefighters he considered family. He loved his community whether it was on a fire call, moving cattle, setting pipe or supervising a bus route. He did everything with a big heart and a friendly grin.

On September 10, 2015, Speed responded to a grass fire with several fire units. During this call, Speed was injured and was flown to Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado, by air ambulance, suffering burns to 40 percent of his body. He lived the final four months of his life at the hospital.

To his family growing up he was known as "Sonny," but in Wyoming, he will forever be known as "Speed."

While embraced by his family, sharing stories and a beer, Speed passed away peacefully with that familiar, friendly grin.

Funeral services will be held at Wind River High School in Pavillion, Wyoming, on Saturday, January 23, 2016, at 2 p.m.

Speed is survived by his wife of 55 years, Linda, his three children, Keith, Brian and Teresa; 5 grandchildren he was blessed to watch grow and laugh with, Brayden, Darcie, Brianna, Logan and Riley; his sister Louise Underwood and brother Fred Hartbank, both of Illinois; his uncle Fred Brookshier of Florida and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions be sent to the Fremont County Fire District, 305 South Smith Road, Riverton, Wyoming 82501 in honor of Speed.

The Hartbank family expressed a heartfelt thank you for all of your support, cards, calls, thoughts, and prayers.

Family and friends are encouraged to share stories and photograph's here on "Speed's" website (click appropriate tab above).