Alvin W. "Al" Reid, 86

Alvin W. "Al" Reid, 86, a lifetime resident of Columbia Falls, passed away at the Montana Veteran's Home in Columbia Falls on Feb. 6, 2005, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was surrounded by family at the time of his passing.

He was born Aug. 15, 1918, in Columbia Falls, where he graduated from high school and remained until the time of his death.

In Al's youth, he played basketball, baseball, hunted, and fished. As he matured, his interests included snowmobiling, volleyball, hunting, and more and more fishing.

Al married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy LaVoy, on Aug. 12, 1939. Together, they raised four children.

Alvin's family moved into the Flathead Valley in the 1800s. The North Fork was the playground for Al and his three brothers. From the time he was a small boy until the time that he was unable to hike the back hills, Al enjoyed the familiarity of the North Fork's splendor.

In 1968, Alvin and Dorothy built a cabin on Spoon Lake that was his pride and joy. He and his family spent countless hours enjoying the cabin, and he spent much of his free time preparing for the many friends and family that he welcomed there.

Alvin started piling lumber at F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber as a teenager. He fell trees with a crosscut saw with his partner, Lou Kollenborn.

He served as a Marine during World War II. Upon his return from the military, he began a lifelong career in the lumber industry, which included 35 years as the general manager of Rocky Mountain Lumber.

Al was an active member of the Columbia Falls Volunteer Fire Department. He retired in 1981, enjoying more than 20 years at his home and cabin that he treasured.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother, three brothers, Ray, Jim, and Bob; two sisters, Min and Hope; his beloved wife, Dorothy; and two sons, Alvin "Danny," and infant son, Leroy.

He is survived by daughters, Peggy Driscoll, and husband, Mike, Karla Armstrong and husband, Brad, of Columbia Falls, and Lorrie Larson of Phoenix. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Mike Driscoll, Michelle Whitaker, Lisa DeWaters, Stephanie Henjum, Jon Reid, Gabriel and Sarah Armstrong, and Kate and Kalen Larson; nine great-grandchildren; and many, many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 1 to 8 p.m. today, Feb. 9, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 10, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls, with the Rev. David Jones officiating. Interment will follow at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be given to the Columbia Falls Fire Department; or the Wildcat Endowment Fund.