JASPER, Darden Greer

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ Wednesday, July 20, 2011 Darden Greer Jasper passed away on June 27 at his home in Albuquerque, N.M., from heart problems. He was 80 years of age. He was a Korean War veteran with the 82nd Airborne. He worked on ranches in Arizona, Wyoming and Colorado. From his ranch in Durango, Colo., he supplied the horses and rode in many of the scenes in the “Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid” movie, in some cases, doubling for the star of the movie Paul Newman. Following the sale of the ranch, he and his family moved to Albuquerque, N.M., and he became active in quarter horse racing. His horses ran and won at the Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton, and Farmington tracks. Darden and Terry were Wickenburg residents from 1958 to 1970, owning the Circle JR Motel. Darden also rode in the annual D.C. Ride and was a member of the Gold Shirt Gang, tended bar at La Cabana, and worked at Rancho de los Caballeros. He is survived by his children Jane, Julie, James, Jennifer and Sana; son-in-law Dave Brodie; grandchildren Josh, Aspen, Jordan, Alex, Emily and Chelsea; brothers, Norman, Lloyd and Joe. He was predeceased by his ex-wife Terry; his parents Milt and Gertie Jasper; sister Dimple; brothers Buddy and Eddie. He loved his family, horses and life. “He sat a horse good and could swing a rope.” Services were held at French Mortuary’s Wyoming Chapel Thursday, July 7.