John Dolence

John Dolence, 83, of Rock Springs, passed away Dec. 2, at his home.

He was born on Oct. 2, 1931 in Rock Springs, the son of Rudolph and Antonia Dolence.  

Dolence was a graduate of the Rock Springs High School and graduated from the University of Wyoming with degrees in geology and petroleum engineering.

He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.

His interests included hunting and fishing. He was an avid outdoorsman and fan of the Wyoming Cowboys and Denver Broncos his entire life.

He and his brother Joe founded and operated Dolco-Geo-Engineering, an oilfield consulting company, that mapped the geological data of many of the original oil and gas wells in Sweetwater, Sublette and Moffat Counties. He worked as far south as Sholow, Ariz. and as far north as  Williston, N.D.

Dolence's parents were a part of the immigrant wave from Europe in the early 1900s and twice he accompanied them back to their native Slovenia in the later years to visit family and friends. 

He spoke fluent Slovanian and was an accomplished garlic and blood sausage maker, learning the trade from his father.

Survivors include two brothers, Joe Dolence, his twin brother, of Mountain View and Rudy Dolence of Rock Springs; one sister, Antonia Bolton of Victor, Idaho; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Stanley Dolence.

Cremation will take place and there will be no services at his request.

Condolences may be left at http://www.vasefuneralhomes.com.