Pierre Amestoy, 90 year old Buffalo resident, passed away early Friday morning at the Johnson County Health Care Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, December 21st at 10:00 a.m. from the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Buffalo with Father Peter Johnson as Celebrant.  A Vigil Service will be held and the Rosary recited on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at the Harness Funeral Home Chapel.  Visitation will be held from the Harness Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Pierre Amestoy was born on February 16, 1926 in Armendaritze, France to Arnaud and Catherine Amestoy.  He grew and went to school in Armendaritze. He came to the United States in 1948 and lived in Jordan, Montana where he herded sheep for Jean Lacosta.  He later moved to Winston, Montana and was in partnership in a sheep ranch with Jean Galtziguari and John Nicole. In 1955 he returned to Jordan where he worked until returning to France where he met Grace Fernandez and they were married on September 1, 1959.  Pierre and Grace moved to America that same year and lived in Jordan, Montana where he worked and ran sheep.  In 1961 they moved to Forsyth, Montana where they leased a ranch and ran sheep until 1977 when they moved to Buffalo, Wyoming.  Pierre worked on ranches and also for Reeves Concrete and in construction in Johnson County for the rest of his working life.  The couple retired in 1997 and continued living in Buffalo. Mrs. Amestoy passed away in November of 2008 and Pierre lived in Buffalo until his death.

Pierre was a member of the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, the Basque Club and loved to play Mus and spending time in the mountains with his family.
He is survived by two sons, John Amestoy of Buffalo and Joe Amestoy of Helena, Montana;  one daughter Catherine Amestoy of Sheridan; one sister Anna Frank of Santa Rosa, California; three nephews, one niece and a first cousin Jean Escoz of Buffalo, Wyoming  He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

Donations in Mr. Amestoy’s name may be made to the Susie Bowling Lawrence Hospice in care of the Harness Funeral Home at 351 N. Adams in Buffalo.  Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com

Sheridan & Johnson County Obituaries