There were tragedies that took the adventurous-hearted too soon, such as Hector Bedolla-Zarate, beloved brother, son and soccer goalie, who drowned at 22 in a July 4th rafting accident. Before that the community mourned Rad Spencer, a down-to-earth climber and skier who felt “closest to God” in the alpine environment. Spencer died in February at age 27 while attempting to ski a glacier in the Tetons.

We bid farewell to two of Jackson’s most prominent elected officials — Leland Christensen and Clarene Law.

Christensen died at 62, having lived a life of service. He worked for 20 years in law enforcement, was a veteran of the 19th Special Forces Airborne Group of the National Guard, was a Teton County commissioner for six years and spent eight years as a Wyoming state senator.

Law, 89, one of Jackson’s best-known business people, was a longtime representative in the Wyoming House, and a mentor and guide to decades of the town’s leaders. She was probably best known, with her husband, Creed, and her family, for her role in the town’s lodging business. The family owns the 49er Inn, Elk Country Inn, Antler Inn and Cowboy Village Resort.

We honored those who cared for our children, children’s children and even grandchildren, such as Glenna “The Weave” Weaver, 70, who will be remembered for her 30-plus years of service at Jackson Hole High School. Those who grew up in Jackson also paid tribute to Jackson native Rudy Sanford, 81, who dedicated his life to teaching math, mentoring and coaching. We collectively mourned another person who made an impression on Jackson’s youth, Danny Mayer, a radio broadcaster known for 21 years as the “Voice of the Broncs,” who died at age 71.

It is also difficult to replace those lost in 2022 who spent decades of their lives supporting the community through their generous participation in philanthropy and volunteer service organizations. The community honored the lives of Gil Ordway, 97, Mary K. Weiss, 85, Julius Muschaweck, 86, Chuck Resor, 75, and others — all of whom showed their love for the valley by giving back to causes that have strengthened the fabric of the community and the ecosystem.

For every favorite restaurant, business or hobby in Jackson Hole, there are the people behind them who pioneered and encouraged others to join in their passions. The year led to good-byes to some of those leaders, as well, including acclaimed wildlife filmmaker Wolfgang Bayer, 88, restaurateur Nora Tygum, 79, of Nora’s Fish Creek Inn fame, Edward Cunningham, 78, who owned the historic Alpenhof in Teton Village, and ski and rodeo aficionado Bill Lewkowitz, 65, who was Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s longtime business development director. Additionally, we said a fond goodbye to some of the irreplaceable icons who represent the heart of the valley’s ranching history, such as Helen Hardeman Robertson, 90, and Glenn Taylor, 87.

The News&Guide lost some of our own family, as well, including beloved and hardworking production manager Chuck Pate, 60, and the last of the Jackson Hole News’ original newsroom team, the unforgettable Cammie Pyle, 78.

All told, there were about 200 people honored this year in the News&Guide’s Valley section obituaries, and although we can’t mention them all here, we thank them for being irreplaceable members of the community.

As we all take a moment to reflect on the memories and contributions left behind, we also leave you with thoughts for the years ahead from the family of Jackson respiratory therapist David Tolbert, who died at age 67 in November. In his obituary, Tolbert’s family offered hope that we could all live with the sense of gratitude that he had and to pay it forward.

“To do something in his honor, forgive someone who has been an asshole. If you’ve been an asshole, take responsibility for that so everyone can get on with their day.”

— News&Guide staff