Valerie Jane Dabney

Valerie Jane Dabney, age 65, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on December 31, 2025 in Gillette, Wyoming.

Valerie Jane (Huson) Dabney was born on June 15, 1960, in Sheridan, Wyoming, to Frederick Dale and Dorothy Mae (Anderson) Huson. She arrived alongside her twin sister, Viva, joining older siblings Lynn and Brad, and together they shared a close-knit childhood rooted in the comfort of family and friends.

Her father Fred served in the Army Air Forces as a ball turret gunner during WWII, then continued his career as a meat cutter for Safeway, and then Carl’s IGA, where he eventually retired.

Valerie grew up in Sheridan, where she attended local schools and graduated from Sheridan High School in 1978. From a young age, she showed artistic spirit - she loved to draw and paint. She cherished time outdoors, spending many weekends camping in the mountains with family and friends. Roller skating was another favorite pastime, and she spent countless happy hours at the rink at the Sheridan Fairgrounds. Her first job was a children’s rink supervisor.

Valerie met the love of her life, John Russell Dabney, in Arvada, Wyoming. They were married in Sheridan on June 27, 1981, and together they welcomed their son, Tyler John Dabney, on November 6, 1982. Being a mother was a role Valerie treasured deeply.

In the early years of their marriage, John worked in ranching before the family relocated to Gillette in 1989, where John began a long career in the oilfield industry. Valerie worked as a housekeeper, but her true passion was making a house feel like home. She had a remarkable gift for home decorating and improvement, effortlessly creating spaces that were warm, inviting, and filled with comfort.

Family was always at the center of Valerie’s life. Whether it was time spent camping in the Big Horn Mountains, gathering at the Arvada Bar for a beer (or a few) or enjoying weekends on the family ranch in Recluse riding side-by-sides. These times were among her most cherished.

Valerie is survived by her son, Tyler Dabney of Gillette, Wyoming; her siblings Lynn Kirkpatrick and Viva (Mal) McGill of Sheridan, Wyoming, and Brad (Cindy) Huson of San Antonio, Texas; her brother-in-law Virgil (Sondra) Dabney; sister-in-law Mary (Mike) Rodgers of Gillette, Evelyn (Paul) Hendricks of Recluse, Judy (Cliff) Swinyer of Sheridan, Jody (Wayne) Porterfield of Nevada; and Viola Rosebrook of Frannie, Wyoming. She is also lovingly remembered by her many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John; her parents, Frederick and Dorothy Huson; and her father and mother-in-law, Fred and Eva Dabney.

Services for Valerie will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent in care of Walker Funeral Home 410 S Medical Arts Court, Gillette, WY 82716.