Stanley Antone Thygerson, a lifelong resident of Virden, NM, passed into eternal life on the evening of Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Safford, AZ. He was 85.
Stanley was born on October 11, 1937, at the family home in Virden. He was the oldest son of Antone Iry and Maurine Merrell Thygerson. He is survived by: his younger brother, Gerald and his wife Nedra Thygerson of Grand Junction, CO; and his younger sister, Debra and her husband Ben Rhoten of Safford, AZ.
Stanley had a happy childhood, growing up with his brother and many cousins. He was what is now called a “free range child”, learning to help on the farm and ranch, taking care of and playing with the various animals, although horses were always his favorite.
Stanley married Joanne Sirrine on October 11, 1957, in the Mesa Arizona Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were married for 56 years before Joanne preceded him in death on July 14, 2013.
Stanley worked at many jobs throughout his life. He was a farmer and rancher, school bus driver, miner, warehouseman, truck driver, truck dispatcher, and specialized horse shoer. He also enjoyed team roping, calf roping, and horse racing. His children said that he was a “true cowboy”, because like many other members of his family, he could fix almost anything with his small box of tools, a roll of black electrical tape, and some baling wire, all found behind the seat of his pick-up truck.
Stanley is also survived by: his five children, Alice Strain of Virden, NM; Connee Thygerson of Taylor, AZ; Troy (Leann) Thygerson of Pima, AZ; Jeff Thygerson of Virden, NM, and Teri Decker of Taylor, AZ. His nine grandchildren and their spouses: Terra (Steve) Dunlap of Silver City, NM; Brett (Lorisa) Strain of Virden, NM; Taylor (Charli) Thygerson of Eden, AZ; Callie (Oliver) Nicholas of Thatcher, AZ; McCall (Jace) Smith of San Tan, AZ; Karsen (Cora) Decker of Snowflake, AZ; Ethan Decker of Fort Polk, LA; Levi Thygerson of Raleigh, NC; and Trey Decker of Taylor, AZ. And five great-grandchildren: Katie Dunlap of Las Cruces, NM; Skyla Strain of Virden, NM; Harper Dunlap of Silver City, NM; Sarah Strain of Virden, NM; and Henry Thygerson of Eden, AZ. He also has two more great-grandchildren on the way.
Funeral services for Stanley will be conducted Saturday morning, August 5, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at the Duncan Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Bishop Randall Claridge of the Virden Ward. Concluding services will follow at the Virden cemetery.
The family will receive friends and family Saturday morning, August 5, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m., at the Duncan Stake Center Relief Society Room of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Online condolences may be offered at www.viningfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
