Daniel Lex

Daniel “Dan” J. Lex, 63, passed away on December 1, 2010 at the Davis Hospice Center, Cheyenne Wyoming. Dan was born in Pierre, South Dakota, November 30, 1947 to Grace and Carl Lex and graduated from Ft. Pierre High School in 1965. He received his degree in Business Administration and Economics from Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D. in 1969. He and his wife of 39 years, Kathryn, moved to Cheyenne in 1974. Dan was the Executive Director of both the Wyoming Optometric Association and the Wyoming Quality Health Care Foundation. He served on numerous national committees through the American Optometric Association and in various board positions for the International Society of Optometric Executives, including President of that organization. He also served on many Wyoming health committees and boards, most recently as President of the Wyoming Health Resources Network. He was a founder of the Wyoming Society of Association Executives. He advocated for his profession in state and national venues and by his ability to mentor young executives. Due to his illness, he regretfully retired from all professional activities in May of 2010. We know that Dan would like to be remembered not by the cause of this death, but by the many things he enjoyed in life: laughing with friends and family; dancing with his wife, Kathryn, to rock and roll; camping with his children and his parents in the Black Hills of South Dakota; and fixing up and driving his beloved 1960 Chevy Impala. Of course, the most indelible memory people will carry forth of Dan was his love of the outdoors and of catch and release fly-fishing. As an advocate of Wyoming’s watersheds, he founded Trout Unlimited’s Curt Gowdy Chapter in 1980. Dan loved working the cool waters of Wyoming’s rivers, sending his line to the water in silvery, rhythmic casts in hopes to feel the strike of a feeding rainbow, brown or cutthroat trout. When Wyoming’s inevitable snowfall made fly-fishing impossible, he spent his winters with a cup of coffee by his side and NPR playing in the background, artfully tying flies while he dreamed of springtime’s thaw and the chance to pull on his waders once again. Dan is survived by his wife, Kathryn; his son Andrew Lex of Jackson, Wyoming, his daughter Jennifer Lex Furioli, son in law Julien, and grandson Joss, all of New York City, brothers Gilbert Lex of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Leo Lex of Washington, D.C. He was preceded in death by his parents. His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 6th, at St. Mary’s Cathedral. In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to the Davis Hospice Center at 6000 Sycamore Rd Cheyenne, Wy 82009. Wyoming Public Radio at dept. 3984 1000 E. University Ave Laramie, Wy. Or Trout Unlimited Curt Gowdy Chapter at PO BOX 2051, Cheyenne, Wy 82003.