Lynn Elwood

Lynn Elwood

Lynn Elwood, longtime resident and businessman of Powell, passed away on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, at the age of 97. 

Lynn was born on the family ranch outside of Glendo, Wyoming to Ward Issac and Mary Katherine (Moser) Elwood on May 18, 1927. He was the fifth of six children, and was known as “Pete” to family members. Lynn graduated from Glendo High School.

As a young adult, he joined his older sisters in Seattle, working at Boeing, and then returned to Wyoming and worked in the oilfields. In October of 1950 he married Lela Webber, and together they raised two boys, Gary and Ron, and a daughter, Sheri. Lela was the love of his life and they had nearly 74 years as partners in life and business. They were also two of the founding members of the First Southern Baptist Church in Powell.

In mid 1957, Lynn started his own business at the Conoco station on Bent Street. He moved his business to Coulter Avenue in the early 60s, where he remained for many years. Over five decades his entrepreneurial spirit led him in developing several related businesses, and he was so proud to have his two sons join him in his business adventures: A fuel delivery operation; an automated fueling site in Powell and two others in Cody; a full-service Husky station in Cody and two convenience stores in Powell. Lynn was an active member of the Petroleum Marketers Association and served for several years on the board of the Cody airport.

Most important to Lynn was his family. He got his children involved with competitive swimming, and spent summers traveling to swim meets. In the winter, the family skied at Sleeping Giant most weekends. Once the kids were grown, Lynn and Lela took up snow machining and soon had some of the grandkids joining them in the Bighorn Mountains. Lynn also had a passion for flying and traveled around the region for fly-in weekends with other pilots and families. Then he transitioned to touring on a Honda Goldwing. With a trailer in tow, Lynn and Lela traveled the western United States with friends. Perhaps their favorite trip was riding through Canada and into Alaska, then returning down the Canadian coast. Lynn was a people-person who never met a stranger, and he shared many stories and pictures of their adventures.

A wonderful milestone in his life was the addition of grandkids: Heather and Brien in Sheridan and Matt, Kristen, Lindsay and Cooper in Powell. Regardless of the sport or activity, Lynn really enjoyed being part of their lives and was so proud of each of them. All too soon they grew up, married and started their own families. Though they are living in five different states and one other country, Lynn was able to spend time with all eight great-grandchildren: Erik, Kaitlynn, Jack, Harper, Grayson, Violet, Ellie and Timber.

Lynn was preceded in death by his parents, five siblings and his oldest son, Gary. He is survived by his wife Lela, son Ron, daughter Sheri, daughter-in-law Becky, six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Robert Webber, sister-in-law Dolores Webber, nieces and nephews. 

The family would like to thank the staff of the Cody Regional Health Long Term Care Center for their wonderful care of Lynn over the past two months. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Southern Baptist Church in Powell, Wyoming, with Pastor Bill Harvision officiating. Arrangements areentrusted to Thompson’s Funeral Home.