Trent Evan Cowley

Trent Evan Cowley was reunited with his loving wife Raelene on September 11, 2025, at the age of 75.

He was born on April 1, 1950, in Salina Utah, the second of three children to Richard Cowley and LaVee Washburn. Trent grew up on a small farm in Axtell, Utah in a combined family with his parents Richard and Phyllis, siblings Wayne, Craig, Dennis, Paul, Rosalie, Carol, and Sheryl. He attended local schools and joined the Army where he was deployed to Vietnam in 1969.

Trent married Raelene Shaw on October 9, 1971, in Aurora Utah, and together they welcomed five children. They lived in Salina Utah until April 1980 when they moved to Wright Wyoming, where they spent the remainder of their lives raising their family in a loving home.

Trent served people with a quiet demeanor, never seeking the spotlight but always helping. He was a volunteer Fire Chief and member of the Jeep Posse Search and Rescue organization while living in Utah. After moving to Wright, he served as a Scout Master for several years organizing campouts in the Bighorns, setting up Orienteering courses in the Rochelle hills and passing on survival and mountaineering skills to many Scouts in Wright.

He began work in the Light Truck shop at Black Thunder Mine in 1979 as a mechanic. Over the years he served in several roles that included vehicle maintenance, Information Technology, Training, Planning and retired as the Superintendent of Maintenance and Predictive services. He was granted an international patent for a Haul Truck fire suppression system that he designed.

As his children grew his family expanded via marriage to include four more daughters, a son, and eventually sixteen grandchildren. He was the reserved rock that was the foundation of his family and exemplification of quiet patience with his children and grandchildren.

Trent was an Outdoorsman who passed along the love of camping, hunting and fishing to his family. Gathering in the mountains several times each year became a ritual that kept his family close, and he did everything he could to be sure everyone could be there and had anything they needed to ensure a good time.

He was a tinkerer working around his house, in his shop and yard. Experience growing up on the farm combined with his unique troubleshooting ability yielded some very creative and “interesting” projects and fixes that were often the focus of lighthearted jokes amongst his children. Ironically, he passed this talent on to most of his children in the ultimate “turnabout is fair play” move.

He was very supportive and proud of his grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them celebrating birthdays, watching school events and just being together.

After retirement he spent time snow birding with his wife in their RV, sightseeing and visiting friends and family.

Trent is survived by his children Jason and wife Heather (Liberty, MO); Jamey and wife Stacy (Morganville, KS); Melissa and husband Robert Wrigley (Wright, WY); Justin and wife Danielle (Kendrick, ID); Matt and wife Amanda (Wright, WY). Grandchildren Salem Cowley, Kaycee and Michael Sebelski (MO), Tommy, Jaron and Tabitha Cowley (KS) Kayte and husband Kenneth Lundberg (GA) Nichole and husband Jason (Shovel) Wolz (IA) Brianna and Trenton Wrigley (WY), Sydney, Lydia, Ivy and Nataley Cowley (ID) Nevaeh and Cadiyn Spilski, Aleyah Cowley (WY). Sisters, Leigh (KC Tabor), Sheryl (Jan), stepbrothers Wayne and Paul (Lynn).

He was preceded in death by his sweetheart Raelene, parents Richard and Phylis, brother Craig, stepbrother Dennis, stepsister Carol and sister-in-law Cara (Wayne).

A viewing will be held on Monday September 22, 2025 from 10am to 12pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 555 Wright Blvd, with the service following at the church and burial at the Wright Cemetery. Join us at the Church for a luncheon at the conclusion of the services. Well wishes and condolences can be sent to P.O. Box 158 Wright WY 82732.