Judy Ann Quarles

Dec. 30, 1943 –  Dec. 11, 2025

Judy Ann Cohee Quarles passed away December 11, 2025, at New Horizons Care Center in Lovell of natural causes, with her son John at her side.

Judy was born on the Huseby Ranch, Crook County, Wyoming, near Hulett. Judy was the oldest of six children born to John Harrington Cohee and Grace Josephine Huseby on December 30, 1943. She lived out her childhood visiting her Huseby grandparent’s ranch, dancing with her aunt Ruby to the wind-up record player, playing the piano, attending elementary and high school in Hulett and being the helpful big sister.

At 19, Judy met her future husband, the tall and handsome Leonard Thomas Graham, at a local dance and they were soon married on April 28, 1962. Life became busy with two sons, John T. Graham and Jimmy L. Graham, born shortly after. 

During this time, Leonard enlisted in the Army for two years and was stationed in France while Judy took care of the home responsibilities, helped by her parents and grandparents. 

Leonard and Judy lived in Hulett at the lumber mill (which had no running water) until 1967 and then moved to the mining town of Jeffrey City, Wyoming, where Judy worked at the local Split Rock Café and as a school cook. She soon became active with new friends and family, playing cards, marble games and going to dances. She was actively involved with the American Legion Auxiliary, Fireman’s Auxiliary and raising two boys. Judy and Leonard later divorced.

Judy continued to live in Jeffrey City and later married Leslie W. Quarles, better known as Curley, on September 25, 1996, in Lander, Wyoming. Life was thoroughly enjoyed with Curley, and he took her on many trips around the country. It was said that he spoiled her immensely. He passed away in 2008. Afterwards in 2009, Judy wanted to move to Lovell to be closer to John and his family.

Judy was not one to sit around and wait for someone to befriend her. She took initiative and reached out and met new friends in Lovell and became actively involved in the community. She loved playing Mrs. Claus at the town holiday festivities, volunteering at the Senior Center, being a companion/friend for home bound seniors and delivering Meals on Wheels, helping at blood draws and the Food Pantry at the Methodist Church and being envolved in the Red Hat Society. 

Judy cut an invite out of the local newspaper, inviting everyone to the library to get help with family history from Bob and Rena Croft, the local family history consultants. This started many years of friendship between Rena and Judy meeting weekly for eight years or more doing genealogy. During this time she was not interested in the church, but at some point, she realized it was right for her and was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2020. This opened the door for her in meeting a very large church family.

If you were a friend of Judy’s, you know three things about her. She loved jewelry of all kinds. She collected it, sold it and made it. Her favorites being turquoise and jade. She never left home without her rings, earrings and necklaces on. 

Secondly, she loved to crochet, and everyone has probably received something made by Judy at one time or another. She carried her crocheting bag wherever she went, keeping her hands busy. Yarn could be found in every room of the house. 

Thirdly, Judy was a collector. She had a collection of decorative and some usable unique oil lamps of all sizes and shapes that were gifted to her for many years at all birthdays and special occasions and picked up along many of her travels. These collections were a rival to many around. Judy enjoyed her trinkets and being surrounded by things that she loved. 

Most of all, she loved being surrounded by people. This made her last couple of years at the Care Center enjoyable, being around staff and other residents.

Along with Judy’s stubbornness, she was a kindhearted, loving and giving soul that always had a smile on her face, not to mention a great sense of humor. 

Judy was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Leonard; husband Curley; youngest son Jimmy Graham (April 19, 2011); sister Esther “Jo” Scoffield; stepdaughters Beverly Quarles Carbon, Cynthia Quarles and Barbara Quarles Davis; and stepson John (Roberta) Quarles.

She is survived by her oldest son John (Connie) Graham; sisters June Garro, Linda Hill and Wanda Garro; brother Roy Cohee; stepsons Billy (Patricia) Quarles and Stephen (Patty) Quarles; granddaughter April Ann Graham (Tony Palma); step grandchildren Heather Darling, Bradin McCaughin, Tommie Ann (Jordan) Zarate and Paige (Chris) Hansen; great-grandchildren Winter and Jimmy Palma; step great-grandchildren Tearny Rose Bertogli, Kian, Braxton and Lenox Zarate, Myles and McKenzie Hansen and Milo and Evangeline McCaughin; and many other grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the Quarles line.

Cremation has taken place. Per Judy’s request, no services are planned at this time. 

The family asks for everyone to be aware of their loved ones that may be deceived by online or in person perpetrators posing as a romantic love interest or an especially caring but needy individual that becomes their closest confidante whom they may see every day or never meet. These scammers exploit their trust, vulnerability and mental state with a fraudulent relationship. They constantly have a financial crisis urgently needing financial backing on a regular basis. For more information or reporting these crimes see Financial Exploitation of the Elderly.