David John Clowes

David John Clowes, 85, passed away Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, at the Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow, Mont.

He was born June 23, 1930, in Glasgow, Mont., and as a boy grew up on a farm on Cherry Creek, northeast of Glasgow, which was as he described it, a "paradise for a growing boy." He was the fifth of seven children born to Homer and Ruth (Biddle) Clowes. As a boy, he was involved in FFA and football (and numerous high school activities). He had a kind spirit, which led him to help kids of all ages. While in high school, he joined the Naval Reserve. He played college football at Whitworth in Spokane.

While attending the University of Montana, he met Dorothy Patten of Missoula. He married her one week before reporting for duty in the United States Navy. He served as a gunner's mate on the USS Walton, serving in the Formosa Sea during the Korean War. Upon his return, he and Dorothy ran a dairy farm in Missoula before returning to take over the family wheat farm near Fort Peck. With unconditional love he and Dorothy raised four children in the country, teaching them the value of hard work and responsibility and allowing them to face life with confidence. After the farm was sold, the family moved to Glasgow where Dave worked first for the State Employment Service and then for the Federal Land Bank (where he worked for 24 years). Drawn to the rural life, in 1964 he and Dorothy bought a small irrigated cattle operation on Tampico Road. They sold that farm in 1969 and moved to Glasgow. In 1974, they built a house on the North Side of Glasgow and a cabin at the Pines.

He was a lifelong member of the Republican Party and was proud to say he was patriotic before it was popular. He loved practical jokes and was an expert at quick, witty responses and one-liners. He loved gardening and flowers ("posies") and watching storm clouds gather. He loved spending time at the Pines and leading camping/boating trips at Fort Peck Lake with his grandkids (parents were not allowed). This was one of the highlights of his grandchildren's childhood.

After the death of his first wife, Dave married Berta Connors of Glasgow in 1996 and was blessed with a complete second family who he loved and who brought him great joy.

He loved Glasgow. He was actively involved for years with the Elks Club, Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce. In his early years he was active in the First Baptist Church and later he served as a Glasgow School Board trustee. He greatly enjoyed golfing with friends and meeting with his coffee club for over 50 years. In his later years he enjoyed watching the birds come to his bird bath right next to his living room window.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy; a son, James Clowes; Berta's daughter, Wendy Kambich; and his brothers, Art, Hank and Don.

Survivors include his wife, Berta; three sisters, Mary Ann Moen, Beulah Burnham and her husband, Richard, and Helen Decker and her husband, John; a son, Wade Clowes; two daughters, Dena Burt and her husband, Rick, and Lorrie Merrill and her husband, Alan; a daughter-in-law, Erin Clowes; 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; Berta's sons, Bill Connors and his wife, Kim, Bob Connors and his wife, Barb, Ted Connors and his wife, Juli, and Tim Connors and his wife, Debbie; one daughter, Marj Markle and her husband, Scott; 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A wake was held at Bell Mortuary Sunday, Jan. 17, from 6–8 p.m. A Funeral Mass was celebrated Monday, Jan. 18, at 11 a.m. at St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Glasgow with Father Jose Valliparambil officiating, followed by burial at the Highland Cemetery. A luncheon was held after burial at the Cottonwood Inn.

Please send any memorials to Glasgow Education Fund or Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital.