Donald Gene Julian

Donald Gene Julian, 76, passed away in Las Vegas, on Jan. 24, 2011, after being air transported there from Arizona due to an unknown medical problem.

He was born in Sanish, N.D., on July 26, 1934, residing there and in eastern Montana, then moving to Flathead County where he and his family lived near Bigfork.

He served in the Navy from 1950 to 1954, during the Korean War.

In 1954, Don and Ruth Staab were married in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and in 1957 moved to Mill Valley, Calif., when he went to work for the San Francisco newspaper for 38 years.

After retiring, they both moved back to Montana, residing in Martin City. They were snowbirds and were in Arizona when he became ill.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; three sisters, Phyllis Nichols and husband Don, Omae Wolf of Bigfork, and Ellen Hart of Kanimbla, Queensland, Australia; daughters, Linda Ruthford and husband Robert of Graeagle, Calif., Marcia Muldoon of Oroville, Calif., and Barbara West and husband Scott of Oakdale, Calif.; sons, Donald Jr., and wife Debbie of Sacramento, Calif., Alan and wife Patty of Concord, Calif., and Wayne and wife Judy of Hayward, Calif.; seven grandchildren, Sondra, Marilyn, Ricki, James, Matthew, Teresa and Hannah; seven stepgrandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and three stepgreat-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being set up in Don’s name with the Martin City Fire Department, c/o Ron Rabidue, 933 Southfork Road, Martin City, MT 59926.

Condolences may be sent to Ruth Julian, c/o Barbara West, 2057 Forest Glen Court, Oakdale, CA 95361.