Ronald Custis

Dr. Ronald Gordon Custis (90) died February 17, 2021 at his home in Dubois, Wyoming.

Born May 25, 1930 in Sheridan, Wyoming to John Norman Custis and Helen Willian Schneider Custis, he grew up in Big Horn, Wyoming and graduated from Big Horn High School in 1948. 

He joined the National Guard 300th Armored Field Artillery Battalion in 1947 and trained as an artilleryman until January 1949 when he was honorably discharged with the rank of Private First Class. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1949 serving on the USS Rogers and the USS Bremerton and was honorably discharged in 1952 with the rank of Radarman 2.

After the war, he continued his education at the University of Wyoming and met and married Ellen Laurel Orton of Elk Mountain, Wyoming in 1955. He attended Northwestern University Dental School, graduating in 1959 as a Doctor of Dental Surgery and established a dental practice in Newcastle, Wyoming in 1960.

He practiced in Newcastle until 1977 when he moved and opened a practice in Dubois, Wyoming in 1978, marrying Kirsten Riberholdt Hansen Shepardson of Dubois in 1979. He retired from dentistry in 1995.

More than any awards and honors bestowed upon him by his profession, his greatest reward was his trusting and loyal patients.

Extremely independent, an avid reader and deep thinker, he had many hobbies from remodeling his homes to gardening. His passion, however, was his love of Wyoming and the outdoors whether he was hunting, fishing, hiking, cutting firewood or simply exploring. His knowledge and skill in these areas are legend among his grandchildren. He will be missed. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters (Dorene Rice and Jeanine Shell) and his wife, Kirsten. Survivors include: daughter Sue (Andy) Palm of McCleary, Washington; son Norman (Heidi) Custis of Saratoga, Wyoming; daughter Jodi Lanosga of River Ridge, Louisiana; son Doug (Deb) Custis of Beulah, Wyoming; son Paul (Elizabeth) Custis of McCleary, Washington; daughter Tina (Monte) Baker of Dubois, Wyoming and daughter Lisa (Gale) Rose of Dubois, Wyoming and several nieces and nephews. He was blessed with 18 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren–with two more on the way.

Per his wishes, no service will be held.