John Roland Venell, Jr.

John Roland Venell Jr., 90, passed away in his sleep on October 9, 2019 at the Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. 

John was born December 6, 1928 in St. Paul, Minnesota to John Sr. and Pearl Venell. He was raised in Baker, Montana where he graduated from high school in 1947. His father with family, mother and brother, were transferred to Worland, WY by Montana Dakota Utilities in the fall of 1950. John was drafted into the army in 1950. He served in the 24th infantry division during the Korean War and saw heavy combat with his division suffering over 10,000 casualties. He returned from Korea in 1952 to Worland where he went to work for M.D.U. for a couple of years. John then became a house painter, hired by Smetzers Painting Company until retiring in 1977.

While in high school he was an outstanding basketball player. He scored 50 points in one game and only played the first three quarters of the game. He also was the extra point drop kicker for the 6 man football team in Baker. 

He was a member of the Worland Grace Lutheran Church in Worland and was a former member of the VFW and American Legion. 

He enjoyed watching TV and going to the coffee shop with his buddies, especially Maggie's Cafe. He also liked to shoot basketball by playing Horse and 21 with friends.

John is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jeanette V. Calbick. He is survived by his brother Paul G. (Anita) Venell of Surprise, Arizona; his sons, David Venell of Mesa, AZ and Kenny Venell of Mesa, AZ; nephews, Mark Calbick of Bozeman, MT, John A. Calbick of Sierra Vist, AZ, and Lee Calbick of Anchorage, AK. 

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