GLENDO, Wyo. - Cyrus William Schoonmaker was born June 18, 1929, in Maywood, New Jersey, the only child of Albert V. and Myrtle Groth Schoonmaker.

He attended primary schools in New Jersey before relocating in upstate New York to complete his high school studies.

Upon graduation from Davenport High School in 1946, Cyrus joined the United States Army, where he received an honorable discharge three years later. While in the service, he met Sally Anne Chesniak, who was working in the Baltimore shipyards. They soon married, relocated to upstate New York, and raised four children, Robert, Albert, Susan, and Cyrus II.

Cyrus enjoyed the outdoors, animals and living off of the land. After spending his first 16 years in the metro New York area, the western Catskill Mountain Region of New York was paradise for him. He soon bought a dairy farm and was a very successful registered Holstein milk producer.

Cyrus also had a fondness for politics and was elected Meredith Township Justice of the Peace in his first election. Soon after he became Republican Commissioner for the Delaware County Board of Elections.

With politics occupying much of his time, he moved away from day-to-day farming operations and dedicated himself to government service. He was elected Delaware County Treasurer, where he worked for the next 12 years.

He also was a partner in Stone Wall Realty as a licensed real estate broker, which kept him busy weekends. Along the way, he was very active in the New York State Republican Party where he met many of his cronies, to include Jack Kemp, Ham Fish and others. Cyrus also was a state delegate to four Republican National Conventions, of which he was always very proud. Later in his working years, he would go to Washington, D.C., as a lobbyist, representing the seven bankrupt railroads of the Northeast. During this time he met many inside the beltway folks, including VP George H.W. Bush, as well as many other U.S. senators and congressmen.

After qualifying for his New York state pension, the adventuresome single child packed his bags and moved to Iowa, where his youngest son, Cyrus II, resided. They bought a farm together in Madison County, Iowa. Cyrus lived on the farm for five years, back with his real love of land and animals. He raised corn, soybeans, and Black Angus beef cattle.

While in Iowa, Cyrus made multiple trips to Wyoming, where he really enjoyed the way America use to be. He decided to relocate in eastern Wyoming, starting yet another career, utilizing his financial skills, as the first fee manager of a state park in the State of Wyoming. Soon after, he was given the task of starting the initial fee structure for the entire Wyoming State Park System. Traveling the state, he trained new park fee managers and created new financial opportunities for Wyoming.

During these years Cyrus lived on large western ranches, he always had his best friend, a Samoyed dog at his side.

After his final retirement, Cyrus would winter in Jekyl Island, Georgia, spending time with his lifelong friends from the East Coast. He always looked forward to getting back to the Wild West to get his garden started for the season.

Cyrus passed away on Jan. 23, 2017, at his home in rural Glendo, Wyoming, at the age of 87.

He is survived by his daughter, Susan (Ed) Sanders; and son, Cyrus II (Ann); six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sally; and sons, Robert and Albert.

Consistent with Cyrus' wishes, there will be no services.