John McCaslin

John McCaslin Green River - John McCaslin, 76, of Green River, died March 16, 2013 in Kindred Nursing and Rehabilitation in Rawlins, Wyoming after a lengthy illness. He was born March 23, 1936 in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Vance McCaslin and Ethel Routson McCaslin. He attended school in Eunice, New Mexico, and graduated from Eunice High School with the class of 1955. He married Dorothy Irene Eubanks August 29, 1958 in Eunice. She preceded him in death January 14, 2006. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Green River. He was also a member of the Monroe Avenue Baptist Church in Green River. Mr. McCaslin did a tour in Iraq for the National Guard where they subsisted on potato patties and Karo syrup. He worked on the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge near Taos, New Mexico which is the deepest gorge in the united states. The potash mine in Carlsbad, New Mexico gave him his first mining experience and later moved him to Montpelier, Idaho, and then to Allied Chemical in Green River. He gained plumbing experience during the long strike at General Chemical in the 70's. He partnered with Bob Pennington in Denver, Colorado, and formed the company United Lubricants. They created a patent and manufactured & distributed one of the first synthetic oil and lubricants. They also manufactured the first synthetic wire lubricant that would not freeze and was used at ski resorts in Wyoming and Colorado. His interests were socializing and making friends swimming at the recreational center and eating lunch at the senior center. He was known as “Jolly John”. His other interest was hunting in the Little Granite area. He would get up before dawn and ride the horses up the trail in the dark to be at the right place when the sun broke over the mountain. He was versatile in many trades and invented ways to do things differently. His garage was the place to hang out, investigate and explore these ideas. He taught his children and many others how to water ski on his homemade “Chicken Board”. Survivors include his son Andy McCaslin of Green River; daughter Beverli McCaslin and companion Ray Garcia of Green River; grandchildren Matthew Maestas of Kansas City, Kansas, Wendi Maestas of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Raymond Garcia of Green River; great-grandchildren Gracie Irene and Levi Hadden Maestas of Kansas City; numerous nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place at Fox Crematory, Rock Springs. Memorial services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2013 at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 88 N 2nd East St, Green River, Wyoming.