Edward Clarence Fuller, 84

Edward Clarence Fuller, 84, passed away Monday, Jan. 17, 2005, at Health Center Northwest in Kalispell.

He was born on April 7, 1920, in Winifred, to Frank and Helen (McLaughlin) Fuller. People knew Edward as Ed, Eddie, Fergie and a few other expressions of endearment. Eddie grew up in Stanford, one of eight children during the Depression era. He won the Little All American Six Man Football award and is listed as one of Stanford's legendary athletes in football and basketball.

He joined the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) to help with the family income and, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, volunteered for the Army Air Corps. He served with distinction as a turret gunner on a B-17 flying fortress. After several raids over Germany, his plane was shot down in June 1943. He broke his back when his plane was hit and was captured after bailing out. He spent 22 months as a prisoner of war. One of his most vivid and telling memories was when an American captain in a Jeep with the U.S. flag flying liberated the large group of POWs who were being marched west by their captors. The memory of the Stars and Stripes flying on that Jeep and the sacrifice of his fellow airmen made Old Glory a symbol of country and service that he passed on to his children and extended family.

As soon as Ed returned from the war, he and his high school sweetheart, Barbara Knox, married and settled in the Flathead Valley. Ed farmed, drove road equipment for the county, worked in a shipyard in Bremerton, Wash., and then came back to the Flathead as an electrician on the Hungry Horse Dam. He eventually bought Ferguson Electric and provided electrical contracting service until his retirement. During this period he and his brother-in-law, Dick Knox, collaborated on racing horses in the fair and he was in the sheriff's posse.

In the late 1960s he took up golf and became an avid player and good golfing companion to many golfing buddies at Buffalo Hill Golf Course. His buddies called him "Fergie" and he called them all sorts of terms of endearment. Boris, Wickerbill, Goffy, Slippery and Turkey to name a few.

In his retirement years he and Barbara spent time with grandchildren camping in favorite spots, cheering grandsons, Matt, Brian and Rob Brekke and Dan Sparr at baseball and other sporting events. Michelle and David Fuller spent many wonderful summers visiting from Florida. They also followed the jazz festivals with their fellow music lovers. He and Barbara were regulars at the BJ Lupton's Snappy's Tuesday Jazz Fest. Ed enjoyed the company of friends across the generations. He was a regular at the Friday morning Culture Society with his dear friends.

Ed and Barbara were grateful for all the friends who continued to visit through the years building memories of love and friendship. The family is very grateful to the doctors, nursing staff and all the medical personnel who made him comfortable in his later years. In his last few days he was surrounded by his immediate family and his loving wife, Barbara.

"He will be greatly missed and was a hero to his family and friends for his courage, sense of humor, devotion and we will carry this with us always."

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Helen; and four brothers, Harry, Fred, Floyd, and Mark.

He is survived by his wife, best friend, and loving caregiver of 59 years of marriage, Barbara Fuller, of Kalispell; three children, Jeff Fuller of Fairfax, Va., Kathleen Sparr of Miles City, and Nancy Brekke of Kalispell; six grandchildren, Matt, Brian, Rob, Dan, Michelle and David; one brother, Lee Fuller; and two sisters, Maizie and Thelma; along with many nieces and nephews and friends who will mourn his passing and celebrate his life.

Funeral services for Edward Clarence Fuller will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at the First Baptist Church of Whitefish, with Rev. Kent Morrison officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery with military honors by the United Veterans of the Flathead. Visitation will be from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, at Johnson Mortuary Chapel.

The family suggests memorials be given to Hospice, Wings or any of veterans charities of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.