Frederick A. "Pat" Gyrion, 78

Frederick A. "Pat" Gyrion, 78, passed away on Friday, March 11, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. He was born in Kalispell on Aug. 29, 1926, to Frederick and Anna Ruth (McCully) Gyrion.

Pat received his early education in Kalispell. He was very athletic and enjoyed all sports, including baseball, football and basketball. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1944 before graduating from high school and served his tour of duty in Amarillo, Texas. After separating, he returned to Kalispell and graduated from Flathead High School. Pat went right to work for the family construction business and in a short time was running the company. He worked as a general contractor, building many of the large businesses and churches in Kalispell. Pat operated Gyrion construction until retiring in 1979, but even after retiring he worked for Treweek Construction for a few more years.

In 1950, Pat married Mary Jacquline "Jackie" Rice in Kalispell. After Jackie's death, Pat remarried in 1976 to Bernie Schlegel. Pat enjoyed life. He was a life-long skier and taught his kids and Elmer Searle to ski. He was a member and past president of the Kalispell Ski Club. He received his private pilot's license and loved air museums and aviation. He enjoyed many hours flying with his son Mike, also a pilot.

Pat loved animals and had a constant presence of wild animals behind his home, from deer to all manner of birds. Pat enjoyed the outdoors and had many adventures with the "Over The Hill Gang." He was a regular at the Legacy to visit and share a story, with the gang, over coffee or cocoa. Around town as well as in the neighborhood, Pat was the guy who always gave of himself to those in need. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him. Above all, Pat was always true to himself.

Pat was preceded in death by both wives and his parents.

He is survived by two sons, Randy and wife Ester of Hayward, Calif., and Mike Gyrion of San Leandro, Calif.; two daughters, Lorey Gosney and husband Denny and Cherise Knopp and husband Jim, all of Kalispell; six grandchildren, Heather, Meghan, Ryan, Amanda, Bryttani and Christian; and four great-grandchildren, Bridger, Caeden, Dylan and Gauge.

Memorial services for Pat will be held today at 2 p.m. in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel with Elmer Searle of the "Over The Hill Gang" officiating. The family suggests memorial gifts be given to the American Red Cross, 17 First Ave., Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson Mortuary & Crematory is caring for Pat's family.