Frank Benjamin Gamma, 83

Frank Benjamin Gamma, beloved father, grandfather, and friend passed away Aug. 4, 2005, at his home at Ashley Lake near Kalispell.

Frank was born May 24, 1922, at Ashley Lake to Anton and Bessie (Arnold) Gamma. Frank attended Mountain View School and completed eighth grade. He then began herding sheep around the Ashley Lake area.

He dedicated his life to God in 1939 and his faith was his mainstay through his last day.

He married his cherished wife, Hazel Glynn Ackrill, in Kalispell, on May 25, 1943, and they treasured each other for 60 years until her death in May 2003.

He logged and owned a sawmill with his brother, Henry, and brother-in-law, Rueben Hoversland, while working on the family ranch. He took over the ranch in 1952 where he made his life for 31 years. He employed many local area young people both on the ranch and in his sawmill.

While their children were in high school, both he and Hazel became active supporters of FFA. They established a scholarship to help send one sophomore to the National Convention each year.

Frank retired from ranching in 1982 and moved to the lake. He was dedicated to preserving the salmon habitat and devoted much of his time to trapping predators and monitoring the creeks flowing into Ashley Lake. He was honored as Landowner of the Year in 1988 by the Montana Wildlife Federation. He was glad to be a part of a new project hatching Ashley Lake salmon eggs at the Creston Hatchery and returning the fry to the lake. This year's hatchlings were returned to the lake on the day of his death.

He was a legendary ice fisherman, and he enjoyed fishing, hunting, trapping, gardening, woodworking, metal crafting, the outdoors, reading, and writing humorous poetry. He loved most to be at home and once upon returning from an extended trip to Europe said, "Why would I want to go anywhere else?"

While Frank lovingly cared for his family, many others found sanctuary under his roof. Many will remember the annual 4th of July and Labor Day picnics held at the lake. He was a great listener, patient, kind, slow to anger, and was well known for his sense of humor.

Frank was preceded by his brother, Joseph; and foster son, Jim McDonald and wife, Hazel.

Frank is survived by his sister, Mary Hoversland and her husband, Rueben, of Ronan; brother, Henry Gamma, of Kalispell; daughters, Sharon Walker and her husband, Ernie, of Wasilla, Alaska, and Shirley Gamma of Corvallis; sons, Doug Gamma and his wife, Mary, and Joe Gamma and his wife, Dianne, all of Ashley Lake; 10 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Viewing will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 8, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Services will be held 10 a.m. Aug. 9, at his lake property at 5790 North Ashley Lake Road (left at the Y, mile marker 9). All are welcome. A potluck lunch will follow.

Memorials may be sent to Home Options Hospice.