In Memory: Ivan "Red Cloud" Wolverton

Ivan Wayne Wolverton, known as Red Cloud in the cowboy country, ascended the steps to Cowboy Heaven on Sunday, July 14, 2024. Born in Kansas City, Kansas – September 22, 1929; he was 94 at time of passing. Red Cloud was a real cowboy, one of the last of a breed. More than that, he was, is, "one of a kind," "one in a million," "a legend". Those words were expressed as friends learned of his passing. Red Wolverton had a huge personality whose presence touched a lot of people.

In the first act of his life, he drove horses as a boy in the Kansas fields, then learned to ride in Colorado where he lived with his 8 brothers and sisters. He left school young and went to Oregon, where he was hired on in the Big Ranch country, of the ZX and MC ranches. He rode the broncs others couldn't ride, lived and loved the cowboy life. Back in Colorado, he met the love of his life, Margery, and together they raised four children. He embarked on the second act of his life when he achieved the dream of getting a stagecoach, raising and training a 6-horse hitch, and driving along the Overland Trail for America's Bicentennial. That lead into working in western movies in Colorado and Arizona, including "The White Buffalo" and "Comes A Horseman."

The name Red Wolverton became synonymous with Stagecoach Driver, on such films as "Stagecoach," "Posse," "Tombstone." That 6-up of Morgan horses with Red on the box galloping at the camera was a moment imprinted in many people's minds. Red and his family provided livestock for western movies out of Tucson for more than 30 years, including the "Desperados," "Dead Man," "Beastmaster," "The Alamo," and "Comanche Moon." Many people in Tucson remembered Red and the Wolvertons as the first family in westerns. He also drove a ten-up of horses pulling freight wagons along the Highway 50 Wagon Train near Placerville, California, in the 1980's and 1990's, and in the Kanab Western Legends Roundup in Utah.

The final act of his life was spent living with his daughter, Holly, near Fredonia, Utah. His life and legacy lives on through his son Kip, daughters Holly, Tammie, and Wendy; his eight grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. His wife of almost 70 years, Margery Wolverton survives him. He will not be forgotten. He has big boots to fill. He is remembered as a great storyteller, an author, a singer, and a larger than life hero. He is an icon. Adios Red. Vaya Con Dios.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, July 20, 2024, in the Fredonia Ward Chapel in Fredonia, Arizona, with burial in the Fredonia Cemetery under the direction of Mosdell Mortuary.

This obituary is courtesy of, and published on Legacy.com by, Mosdell Mortuary.

To read more, leave condolences, and see additional photos of Mr. Wolverton, click HERE.