Memorial services for Tory Lee Babcock, 49, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 25, 2019 at Our Savior Lutheran Church with Pastor Scott Firminhac officiating.
Tory died unexpectedly doing ranching errands near the family ranch on Saturday, July 20, 2019, and cremation has taken place. Memorials may be given to Our Savior Lutheran Church.
Tory was born Dec. 4, 1969, in Denver, Colo. His parents were Bill and Angie Babcock (Chavez) of Torrington.
Tory and his family spent his early months in California, then moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1971. In 1975, the family moved to Mountain View, Wyo., where he attended kindergarten. They moved to Evanston, Wyo. in 1976, and Tory attended school there through the fifth grade. He served as master of ceremonies for many school events in Evanston.
In 1981, the family moved to his mother’s family (Splittgerber) ranch. Tory attended school in Torrington, graduating in 1988.
While in high school he earned many awards for his musical talents, which included playing numerous instruments, including the saxophone, trombone, tuba, and bass and rhythm guitars. He loved surprising his family by playing a different instrument in his concerts.
He was an active 10-year 4-H member, and loved showing his cattle at a variety of shows during his younger years.
In 1991, he received his associate of science degree form Eastern Wyoming College. He attended school on a music activity grant, and played in the college concert and jazz bands and sang in the choir.
Tory worked in Laramie, Wyo. and Grand Island, Neb. before returning to the family ranch in 1993, where he became co-owner of R Lazy S Simmentals in 2006, following the death of Bill Babcock.
Tory was hardworking and loved working with the cattle, doing mechanical work on the implements and vehicles, and was a loving son to his parents, which included Johnny Chavez, whom his mother married in 2012.
He loved animals, including his Beagle, Oliver. He maintained his passion for music and played a number of venues, even within the last month, with various bands and friends over the last number of years in Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska and South Dakota. Much of his leisure time was spent practicing playing his bass and electric guitars.
Tory is survived by his mother and stepfather, Johnny and Angie Chavez; sister, Laura (Kevin) Walton of Big Piney, Wyo.; brothers, David (Sam) Babcock and Brett (Melanie ) Babcock of Big Piney, Wesley (Sue) Babcock of Phoenix, Arizona; step-sister, Ana Orendain of Guadalajara, Mexico; aunt, Jeanine Loose of Hayward, Cali.; uncles, Joel (Nida) Splittgerber of San Diego, Cali., Loren (Lyn) Splittgerber, of Boise, Idaho, Elmer (Vickie) Chavez of Torrington; aunts, Beverly Remington of Watertown, N.Y., Clorie (Dave) Lovato of Denver, Colo., Margaret Sunderland of Colorado Springs, Colo., Flora Day of Rolling Hills, Wyo.; and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Bill Babcock; grandparents, Ernest and Darlene Splittgerber and William and Louise Babcock; and uncles, Ron Loose and George Babcock.
Tory’s loving and compassionate spirit will be sorely missed by his family.
The family wishes to thank the Prairie Center and other neighbors for the love and support they have shown at this difficult time.
Arrangements are by the Colyer Funeral Home and condolences may be sent to www.colyerfuneralhome.com
