Edward F. “Eddie” Steele, Jr. was born May 12, 1948, in Jackson, Wyo., to Edward F. Steele, Sr. and Lois Nelson Steele. He joined three sisters, Jean (Sells), Ruth Steele, and Marion (Cole). He grew up on the family ranch just outside of Pinedale on the New Fork River. Eddie went to school in Pinedale and graduated from Pinedale High School in 1966. He received a Wyoming State FFA Farmer Degree in 1966 and was very active in the Pinedale FFA Chapter. Eddie attended Ricks Junior College in Rexburg, Idaho, and graduated from there after two years. Eddie took over the ES Quarter Circle Steele Ranch from his father. He ran commercial cattle on the Upper Green River Cattle Association allotment. Eddie had a wonderful eye for good cattle and had a great herd of purebred Herefords before he wasn’t able to raise them anymore. In 1988, Eddie was the vice-president of the Green River Valley Cattlemen’s Association and president in 1989. Eddie sold the family ranch near Pinedale and moved to Deer Lodge, Mont., where he bought a ranch in 2000. He moved from Deer Lodge to Ryegate, Mont., then moved to Rapele J, Mont. In 2012, Eddie bought a place in Deaver, Wyo. Eddie passed away on Dec. 6, in the hospital in Billings, Mont. A celebration of life for Eddie Steele was held on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the LDS Church in Pinedale.
