Charles "Booie" Dirks Jr.

Charles "Booie" Dirks Jr., 84, of Aladdin, Wyoming, passed away on July 17, 2023 in Sundance, Wyoming. He was born October 20, 1938 to Gilda and Charles Dirks Sr on his grandfather's ranch near Hulett, Wyoming.

He joined a brother, Barney, and a sister, Doris. Later he became a big brother when sister, Dolly, was born.

He spent his childhood years at the Dirks Ranch in Alva, WY, graduating from Hulett High School in 1956. After high school, he enlisted in the National Guard and later transferred to the Army Reserves, serving from 1956-1963. He was honorably discharged and received sharpshooter citations during his years of service.

Booie enjoyed a hard day's work and was a jack of all trades. After high school, he went to work as a mechanic at the Hauber Mine near Hulett.

Later, he worked various road construction jobs in Wyoming and Iowa, helping build portions of Interstate 90 between Gillette and Sheridan. During this time, he was in partnership with his parents, sending money back home to help purchase the ranch he grew up on.

He was an expert with logging and worked at sawmills, becoming a timber foreman, skidder operator and an independent contractor. He was later fully self-employed, logging and also ranching full time.

Booie first met Patricia "Pat" Minard when she came hunting with her dad and stayed at the Dirks Ranch. Nine years later, they became friends over a bottle of Coors at The Ponderosa in Hulett.

They married at Devils Tower on June 29, 1974 and worked together as partners for the next 49 years, building their own home, expanding the family ranch by purchasing the Giachino homesteads in 1993 and also raising cattle, pigs and kids.

Booie became a father in 1979 with the arrival of his son, James. Daughter Jody completed the family in 1980.

Later, he was a foster parent when Craig Reed joined the ranch family. While he enjoyed being a father, becoming a grandfather to Logan and Cameron was his greatest joy.

Throughout the years, Booie also loved mentoring his young nephews, Thomas, Patrick, Jake and Michael, who all spent summers on the ranch; he enjoyed having them work as unpaid ranch hands.

He was most at home in the outdoors, hunting and fishing. Every year he looked forward to hunting season and spending this time with his son, grandsons, nephews Brian, Craig, Ben and Jake, as well as niece, Amanda.

He ran his own hunting camp and enjoyed catching up with friends who have continued to return for the last 30 years. Many of the hunters have become adopted family.

Booie was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Gilda Dirks; his brother, Barney Dirks; nephews, Melvin Shuck, Brian Dirks, Craig Dirks and Jake Dirks; as well as brother-in-law, Fred Case. He is survived by his wife, Pat Dirks; son, James (Lara) Dirks; daughter, Jody Dirks; sisters, Doris Case and Dolly (Carl) Deranleau; grandsons, Logan Dirks and Cameron Dirks; foster son, Craig Reed; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held at the Greater Hulett Community Center in Hulett, September 15, 2023, at 10 a.m. with graveside services and fellowship to follow. In lieu of flowers, a memorial account has been established to help offset medical expenses.

Memorials may be sent to: Black Hills Federal Credit Union, Attn: Charles "Booie" Dirks Memorial, 835 N Main St, Spearfish SD, 57783.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance. Online condolences may be written at http://www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com