Charles Koertenius Gollagher Jr., 72

Charles Koertenius Gollagher Jr., 72, passed away on July 14, 2005, from cancer.

Charles was born on Nov. 24, 1932, in Indianapolis, Ind., to Charles K. Gollagher Sr., and Ellen B. Hadley.

Charles served proudly for the U.S. Navy as a Boiler Tender 3rd Class on the USS Fechteler in the Korean War, returning after the war and settling with his family in California.

With his training from the military in mechanics, he worked as a plant operations manager for Standard Packaging in Los Angeles for over 20 years. A love for outdoors would find him at softball games, riding horses and camping.

"If you needed someone to listen, he was there and was known by many affectionately as Dad, Grandpa, or Grandpa Chuck."

Montana called and he moved here in 1970 to take backpackers into the back country, fulfilling a dream to work in the outdoors. He moved back to California, then Arizona and Arkansas due to job demands, but returned to Montana when he retired and found his peace in the mountains of Montana.

"He will be missed by those who loved him, but we are comforted in knowing he has gone to his final resting place with our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ."

Charles is survived by two daughters, Carolyn Rhubottom of Kalispell, and Pamela Hartmann of Placentia, Calif.; sons-in-law, Rick Rhubottom and Robert Hartmann; six grandchildren, Loraine Meyers and husband, Donny, Travis Rhubottom and his wife, Heather, Jennifer Call and her husband, Steve, Adelle Hartmann, Joseph Hartmann and his wife, Amanda, and Eric Hartmann; and two great-grandchildren, Shane Call and Caleb Rhubottom.

Visitation will be held from 8 until 10 a.m. Monday, July 18, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery with Rev. Rick Rhubottom officiating.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.