Donald "Don" McClarty, 81
Donald "Don" McClarty, 81, passed away on April 23, 2005, in Kalispell at Healthcenter Northwest.
He was born on Nov. 21,1923, to Esther Manning and Percy McClarty, a pioneer family of the Flathead Valley, in Somers.
He spent his early childhood on the family farm. He attended St. Matthew'd5s School and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1941. Don attended Helena Vocational School, training as a pipe fitter and welder. He moved to Portland to work for Kaiser Company in their shipyards. Along the way, Don became a pilot. He regularly flew his family over the mountains to visit family.
On Feb. 18, 1943, Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Solomon Islands and other islands in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged on March 11, 1946. After returning home, he attended Carroll College.
Don married his wife, Patricia, on April 11, 1948. He worked a multitude of jobs and later became a Standard Oil jobber. He owned and operated service stations in Kalispell.
Don'd5s first love was being a grain farmer in Lower Valley. He farmed in Lower Valley for over 55 years. He was proud of his land, his Irish heritage, his native Montana and his service to his country.
Don was a 50-year member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and a 50-year member of Knights of Columbus. He was an active member of St. Matthew'd5s Parish, serving as a regular usher.
He was also an adviser to the vocational mechanics program at Flathead High School.
After Don'd5s retirement, he and his wife traveled extensively in the United States and Mexico in their motor home. They traveled to Europe and cruised through the Panama Canal. Don cruised and toured Alaska with his wife and daughters.
He was "Mr. Fix-It" and if he couldn'd5t fix it, he would re-invent it. Many family celebrations and relaxing times were spent at the Flathead Lake cabin. Don took great pleasure attending his grandchildren's activities. He enjoyed watching the Mariners at Safeco Field with his daughters and families. He never stopped learning, even buying a computer in his 70s.
He was a humble and genuine gentleman who never said an unkind word to or about anyone. He was a mentor to his daughters and grandchildren. They learned many life lessons by following his examples.
His brother, Willis, preceded Don in death. He is survived by his wife, Pat McClarty, of Kalispell; his two daughters and sons-in-law, Donetta Antonovich and husband, Tom, of Kalispell, and Danielle Feist and husband, Alan, of Spokane; his four grandchildren, Meeghn Antonovich, and spouse, Christopher Forrester, of Portland, Devin Antonovich of Kalispell, Brenden Feist and spouse, Jenny, of Spokane, and Tierney Feist of Seattle; and one great-granddaughter, Allison Feist, of Spokane; also his brother-in-law, Russell Blanchet, of Dutton, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mass of the Resurrection for Donald "Don" McClarty will be held at St. Matthew'd5s Parish at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 27. A rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, at Johnson'd5s Mortuary Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Don McClarty'd5s name to St. Matthew'd5s School, 602 South Main Street, Kalispell, MT 59901. Johnson Mortuary & Crematory is caring for Don'd5s family.