Ken Doxtater

Ken Doxtater, 71, May 16, 2007, at the North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

He was born May 8, 1936, in Whitefish to Leonard and Louise Doxtater. After living in Columbia Falls and East Glacier, he and his parents moved to Libby in 1939.

He graduated from Libby High School in 1954. After spending the next four years in the Navy, he enrolled at the College of Pacific in Stockton, Calif.

In 1959, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Anne Luxa. After living in Stockton for a year, they moved to Havre, where Ken graduated from Northern Montana College in 1962.

He began his teaching career in Rudyard. While there, he was instrumental in establishing the Hi-Line Educational Association. After teaching in Rudyard for two years, he returned to school, and in 1965, received his master's degree from Montana State University. He was always proud of the Bobcats.

In 1965, he and Betty Anne moved to Whitefish, where he taught seventh- and eighth-grade history for 29 years. Five of those were spent as vice-principal of the junior high school. He retired in 1994.

He was a driver for Rocky Mountain Transportation for many years before and after his retirement. For the past two years, he was employed at Western Building Center.

One of his proudest accomplishments of his teaching career was his part in starting the eighth-grade Montana history trip in 1970, a tradition which continues. For this, he was awarded the Valley Forge Teachers Medal, and the school was awarded the George Washington Honor Medal. Both awards were from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pa.

He served as president of the Whitefish Education Association for two years and served four years on the Montana Education board of directors.

Proud to be a native of Whitefish, he served the community well. He served many years on the Whitefish Library Association, during which time the book "Stump Town to Ski Town" was published. He also served on the Flathead Bicentennial Committee.

As his sons grew, he worked with the Cub Scouts, Weblos and Boy Scouts. He was a charter member of the Whitefish Kiwanis Club, serving two years as president, and was one of the first certified officer-trainers in the state. In 1994-1995, he was recognized as a distinguished lieutenant governor.

Ken served on the Whitefish City Council for four years and spent nine years on the city's police commission.

After working on the Whitefish Winter Carnival for many years, in recognition of his service to the community, he was named King Ullr XXIX of the Winter Carnival in 1988.

A long time member of the Presbyterian Church, he had served as an elder and junior high youth group instructor for several years.

Ken was elected to the Stumptown Historical Society board of directors in 2002. He was also a member of the Roosevelt American Legion Post 108.

He loved camping, especially in Glacier National Park, fishing and hunting. He was never without a book in hand, even while watching TV.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Ken is survived by his wife of 47 years, Betty Anne, of Whitefish; his sons Randy, of Whitefish, and Tim and Jeni, of Whitefish; his grandsons Casey, of Salt Lake City, and Alex, of Bigfork; and a brother, Jim, of Great Falls.

A memorial service was held May 21, 2007, at the First Presbyterian Church in Whitefish. Pastor Dan Davis officiated. Cremation has taken place.

Memorials may be made to the Stumptown Historical Society, 500 Depot Street, Room 101, Whitefish MT 59937; the Montana Historical Society, P.O. Box 201201, Helena MT 59620-1201; or to the First Presbyterian Church of Whitefish.