Joe T. Nelson, 94

Just three days short of his 95th birthday, Joseph "Joe" Theodore Nelson's life journey on this earth came to an end in Bigfork at the home of his Granddaughter, Lori. And what a journey it was!

When Joe was born in Kalispell, Montana on July 8, 1913, only Aunt Fuller gave him a chance of surviving. He proved the rest of the world wrong and thus began a life of overcoming extreme challenges, smiling and cussing all the way. Incidents from childhood shaped the journey to come'a journey of taking risks, embracing each and every day, innovating for survival, searching for ways to help others and never, ever having a regret.

Joe's love for Bigfork was always clear. As a youngster, his mother was stricken with tuberculosis and the family moved from Bigfork to Clarkdale, AZ for five years. Even a brief stint in Nebraska with relatives during this time could not cool Joe's passion to return to the Flathead. He left again for Clarkdale when the Great Depression came to Montana. Not only did Joe find work there, but also his partner for life, Flo. Twelve hours after their wedding on October 29, 1937, Joe and Flo boarded a bus headed for Bigfork and never looked back.

Joe will best be remembered for the pivotal contributions he made to both the Bigfork Fire Department and fire departments state-wide. As an early architect of funding programs for local volunteer fire departments, he quickly rose to leadership roles including president of the Montana State Fire Chiefs Association and Fire Chief of Bigfork Volunteer Fire Department for 39 years. During his tenure, Joe implemented many innovations and changes that continue to grow and modernize Bigfork's department.

Beyond Joe's vocation as Chief Operator of the Bigfork hydro plant, he eagerly served the Bigfork Lions, again taking on many leadership roles. This attitude of service to others and community involvement continued well into Joe's 90's. Whether driving Flo to the Montana Association for the Blind Meetings or helping out with the Pioneer Auto Club and engine shows, Joe's attendance had a positive impact.

Joe loved retirement! It meant working on his Model "A" and driving Flo south for the winter in various camping trailers and motor homes. Their trips always took them to Arizona to visit family and long-time friends and each journey was peppered with new discoveries and adventures. Almost always, they ran out of gas, took a wrong turn, had a flat tire or breakdown. However, Joe turned all incidents into a great story illustrated with slides, snapshots and video.

Joe was husband to E. Florine (Flo) Gilcrease Nelson of Kalispell, and father to Geraldine Grace Rainwater Johnson of Tacoma, WA and Palm Springs, CA (husband Ron), Joseph Theodore Nelson, Jr. (wife Karen) of Petersburg, AK and Harriett Brittenham of Parker, CO (husband Marvin). Other survivors include brother Earl Nelson of Kalispell, MT, grandchildren Lori Rainwater of Bigfork, MT, Alan Rainwater and wife Pamela of Tacoma, WA, Ron Rainwater and wife Tohni of Graham, WA, R. Garrett Brittenham and wife Michelle of Parker, CO, Dan Nelson and wife Lyssa of Albuquerque, NM, Paul Nelson and wife Christy of Albuquerque, NM and Jolene Nelson and husband Keith of Kalispell, MT. Joe's 17 great-grandchildren and future 18th great-grand child and first great, great-grandchild will greatly miss him.

The "Celebration of Joe's Life" will be held Friday, July 25, 2008, at 3:30 at Nelson Hall (Bigfork Fire Hall) in Bigfork. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Bigfork Volunteer Fire Department or charity of your choice.

Hamden Landon Forkner, 89

Hamden Landon Forkner, Jr., B-17 Pilot and Distinguished Educator

Hamden (Ham) Landon Forkner, Jr. of Bigfork died on July 8, 2008, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center after a brief illness.

Born in Berkeley, CA on December 22, 1918, to Hamden and Marjorie Moore Forkner,

Ham was graduated from University High School in 1936. He received a bachelor's degree in 1940 from the University of California-Berkeley, and was a member of Skull and Keys, the Interfraternity Council, and President of Zeta Psi Fraternity. Following service in World War II, he earned Master's and Doctorate degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City.

Ham earned his Air Force wings in November 1942, and was assigned to the newly-formed 381st Heavy Bomb Group'an early Flying Fortress Group. The group joined the 8th Air Force at Ridgewell (UK) in May, 1943. Ham and his nine-man crew flew squadron lead on the notorious August 16-17, l943, bombing raids on the Schweinfurt ball bearing factories. After being hit with anti-aircraft fire, Ham and his crew bailed out of their burning plane and all survived; he was hidden by the Dutch resistance for 14 months until liberation. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and several battle ribbons, and later flew air-sea rescue missions in the South Pacific with the 13th Air Force.

While attending graduate school at Teachers College, Columbia University, he met and married Elinor Jeanne Smith of Shaker Heights Ohio, who was also a graduate student at Teachers College. Ham subsequently became managing editor of the Teachers College Press, taught professional writing courses there, and later served as director of development and secretary of the college.

In l957, Ham and his family moved to Ridgewood, New Jersey where they lived for 36 years. He was active in the Upper Ridgewood Community Church and in other community affairs. Ham was an avid tennis player and was a member of Upper Ridgewood Tennis Club, serving several terms as a trustee and was president of the Club in l979-80.

In l970, Ham left Columbia University and established the Forkner Publishing Corporation'a textbook publishing company. He was Chairman and CEO until he sold the company in l980 and retired.

In l993, Ham and his wife moved permanently to their summer home in Bigfork. Elinor passed away in 2006 after a long illness.

Ham is survived by a daughter, Leslie G. Forkner, of Charlestown, Massachusetts, and a grandson, Ross Hamden Kukulinski, a senior at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In accordance with his desires, there will be no services. The family requests that those wishing to honor Ham's memory make a donation to the Bigfork QRU.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home caring for the family and to send condolence go to www.buffalohillfh.com