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Donald “Don” Morrill Robirds, age 88, joined the Lord peacefully on Dec. 30, 2025 surrounded by the love and presence of his wife Norleen E. Robirds.
Don was born on Sept. 12, 1937 to Dallas H. Robirds and Gladys (Jones) Robirds in Powell, Wyoming. After graduating from Powell High School he proceeded to serve in the Army National Guard stationed in Fort Knox, Kentucky, for a few years. Once Don completed his service he came back to Wyoming where he married his wife Norleen at the Methodist Church in Deaver, Wyoming, in 1960. Following his marriage Don went on to earn his B.S. in Accounting from the University of Montana, paving the way to becoming a Certified Public Accountant. Don and Norleen went on to have four children: Jodi, Julie, Jay and Jeff while bouncing back and forth between Powell and Cody. The majority of Don’s professional career was spent running his company Robirds & Associates LLC in Cody, Wyoming, which he took immense pride in until his retirement in 2002. Post retirement Don continued his devotion to the Wyoming community, serving as a member of the Cody school board, Cody Chamber of Commerce, Big Horn Federal board, and was president of the Wyoming CPA Association, and president of the Paul Stock Foundation.
Growing up on a farm in Powell, Wyoming, ignited Don’s everlasting love for horses, tractors, hunting and being outdoors. Don thrived along the ridges and valleys of the Absarokas hunting elk on horseback, and pioneering “spike” camps in Sunlight, Meeteetse, and the Big Horn Basin. His love for hunting came with the responsibility of safety, and Don took pride in teaching hunters’ safety to not only his loved ones, but also to the Cody community. While parenting Don owned and raised multiple horses for hunting and that fondness for horses trickled into rodeo. Don loved watching the Cody Nite Rodeo, and even attended the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to farm life Don was raised by an incredibly gifted musical family playing predominantly bluegrass. Don mastered the acoustic guitar, banjo, and the mandolin; all of which he complimented with his smooth harmonious voice. It did not matter whether he was playing or teaching, he did it all with a smile and twinkle in his eyes surrounded by his fellow musicians, friends, fans and loved ones.
Don was also an athlete growing up, playing football, volleyball, softball and baseball. His love of sports continued into fatherhood, ultimately turning to coaching his boys in little league baseball, in addition to making a point to be present at each of his children’s sporting events. This love continued down to his grandchildren where he was most proud of his grandson who just recently graduated college and had a successful career playing Division II baseball, watching each and every game religiously.
Don was preceded in death by his daughter Jodi B. Robirds; his parents; brothers Kay and Harold Robirds; and sisters Betty and Sonya Robirds.
He is survived by his wife Norleen E. Robirds, sister Joanne Crockett, daughter Julie A. Robirds and her husband Paul A. Valasek, sons Jeff H. & Jay D. Robirds, and grandkids Kylar C. and Weston P. Valasek.
In lieu of a memorial service the family has decided to have a celebration of life in Cody, Wyoming, and up in God’s country where he so dearly loved to be in August 2026. “Will the circle be unbroken; By and by Lord, by and by; There’s a better home awaiting; In the sky Lord, in the sky.”
Memories and condolences can be shared on Don’s memorial page at BallardFH.com.
