Obituaries
The Bigfork Eagle runs obituaries and death notices for people who have lived in the Bigfork area. To submit, e-mail editor@bigforkeagle.com or call 837-5131. Deadlines are every Monday at noon.
Gayland H. Jones
Gayland H. Jones died of natural causes Monday, May 3, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Gayland was born on May 29, 1935, in Lovell, Wyo., the second of three children, to Billie and Si Jones.
His early childhood years were spent in the oil fields of Wyoming. He and his family moved to the Deer Lodge Valley to a ranch purchased from his grandfather, Elmer Jones, in the late 1940s.
After graduating from Powell County High School, Gayland served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War as a "DUCK" driver.
After completing his military service, he moved home to Deer Lodge, where he met and married Judith E. Wilson. They made their home on the family ranch working with his father. Gay and Judy had three daughters: Kasie, Kellie and Kathie.
One of Gayland's favorite places to spend time was Bowman Lake where he and his family built the road and a cabin, which was enjoyed by many family and friends throughout the years. His three daughters will see that his final wishes will be carried out by the spreading of his ashes there.
Gayland was an avid fisherman, enjoyed camping, snowmobiling, hunting, welding and tinkering.
He and Judy opened their home and hearts to many family members over the years on the ranch.
The family moved off of the ranch in 1975 to the upper valley and Gayland began his excavation/fabrication business. Judy relocated to Bigfork.
Gayland married Vermae Pecora in 1983. They later divorced.
Gayland enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, and he had a favorite saying that he imparted to his daughters: "Work hard, play hard." He was known for his strong work ethic.
For fun he would take his girls fishing to Bowman Lake, on picnics and swimming in the Miles Square, Sunday drives to admire the crops, shooting gophers, snowmobile trips, and many camping excursions.
He had a great sense of humor and was a bit of a prankster which provided lots of laughs and great memories for all fortunate enough to know him.
He will be missed.
Gayland retired and lived with his beloved sister Phyllis Leckwold in Deer Lodge, until he took ill and moved to the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. Gay made many friends and always had a joke at hand and a smile on his face to share with staff and residents.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Si and Billie Jones.
Survivors include his sister Phyllis Lechwold; his brother Darrel Jones; daughters; Kasie (Richard Bailey) Jones, Kellie (Bob) Hilley and Kathie (Dennis' Flagg; nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
His memorial service (followed by a traditional valley picnic) will be Saturday, July 17, at the South Valley Racetrack Community Hall in Deer Lodge. The celebration of life will begin at 3 pm. at the community hall.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family. Visit www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Gayland's tribute wall.
Robert A. Nice
Robert Andrew Nice, 90, of Polson, died Monday, May 10, 2010, at the St. Joseph Assisted Living Community in Polson, where he had been a resident.
Robert was born on April 13, 1920, in Queens, N.Y., a son of the late Frank and Irena Barney Nice. He was a pilot for the U.S. Army Air Corps and later for the Air Force during World War II.
Nice is preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Kay Nice.
Survivors include two daughters, Barb (Ed) Fudrich of Dana Point, Calif., and Robin (Tim) Bjella of Silver Bay, Minn.; one son, Robert (Darci) Nice of Polson; and six grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 13, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork.
Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory in Polson is assisting with arrangements.