Lester Willey Averill, 85

Lester Willey Averill passed away peacefully May 15, 2006, surrounded by his family and caregivers, ending a long and adventurous life. His life was consumed by hard work, family, community and a determination to leave this world a better place. His vision and legacy continues to bring enjoyment and memories to families around the world.

Les was born July 3, 1920, in Tabor, Alberta. He was the fourth son of Samuel and Tillie Averill. The Averills left their ranch in Canada, where they raised horses for commercial use, and relocated to Somers, a town exploding from the timber industry and railroads. Les grew up in Somers and attended Flathead County High School, where he played football and became an Eagle Scout. In 1938, Pan American Airlines, the first commercial airline, was recruiting talented young men and Les tested in the top 1 percent. He completed his pilot training in Spokane. Les quickly moved to Miami to become Pan American's youngest commercial captain at the age of 20.

As World War II progressed, Les enlisted in the Army Air Corps and soon was transporting military aircraft around the globe. Les piloted B-17s, B-24s, Corsairs, and P-51s, across the north Atlantic, to Alaska, South America, Africa, India and China. Les would log more than 5,000 hours flying in service to his country, earning the rank of major.

One of his most memorable flights was when he returned home from the war and flew a bomber from India to Great Falls, taking time to buzz over his hometown of Somers so low it shook the groceries off the shelf at Sliter's Store. A celebration took place in Kalispell when he landed the large aircraft.

On his 70th birthday, Les again shook Somers and Bigfork as he was flying the only remaining four-engine B-29 on a flight from Spokane to the Kalispell Air Show. Les always said he had flown around the world and had never seen anything as beautiful as flying over the Flathead Valley.

After the war, he came home to marry Doloris Dufour, his high-school sweetheart, who grew up next door in Somers. Doloris attended the University of Montana and later became an English teacher in Bigfork. In 1945, Les gave up his flying career and risked his entire military savings to acquire the Flathead Lake Lodge property, then a deserted set of buildings built in 1932 on 100 acres of lakeshore land. Later he would expand the lodge property to include 2,000 acres along Flathead Lake. He had a vision during his flying days to return to Montana and create a place where others from around the world could experience the beauty and grandeur of Montana.

Les created his vision of the Lodge and style of Montana hospitality that has endured 60 years of success and continues to be a model for the hospitality industry. It was his concepts of how to provide family hospitality that produced four generations of repeat guests and a return rate of over 70 percent.

Les was one of the first and few commercial outfitters in the wilderness. Many local friends contributed to the success of Les' hunting camp. In the Lodge lobby is a bronze telling the story of Les' pack string being attacked at night on his horse by a grizzly bear. Later he had a second encounter, being dragged out of his camp tent in his sleeping bag by a marauding grizzly. These life experiences added to the enjoyment of his storytelling around the fireplace in the Lodge.

Les trained himself to become one of the early wildlife adventure film photographers, shooting 16mm film. He captured scenes from the wilderness and wildlife, which he marketed for early television wildlife films. Numerous television and national magazines featured Les in his many real-life adventures in Montana. In 1964, Les helped lead Montana's Centennial train to New York's World Fair. A train loaded with more than 100 horses, wagons, stagecoaches and ranchers traveled across the nation holding parades in dozens of large cities before reaching New York. This was Montana's largest and most-successful marketing program ever completed. At age 42, he expanded his ranching lifestyle to include a large cattle ranch west of Kalispell. Later in his years, Les began a Christmas tree farm, planting and harvesting thousands of trees in the Echo Lake area.

Les attributed his confidence and the way he approached life to his early experiences as an Eagle Scout. He remembered his mother's tears when he said goodbye to earn his Eagle Scout Award by walking alone at age 15 for a week through the Bob Marshall from north to south before quality trail systems were developed. He was a lifelong supporter of scouting and was pleased to help with the acquisition of Melita Island for scouting and have a camp named in his honor.

Doloris preceded Les in death, passing at age 50 of cancer, leaving Les and four sons. Les married Virginia "Ginny" Clark on Oct. 22, 1970. This began a new chapter in Les' life.

Les loved Bigfork and enjoyed volunteering for many organizations that enhanced the community. As president of the now Community Foundation For A Better Bigfork, he was particularly proud of helping to establish the library and Village Square Art Center.

His biggest challenge came at age 76 when he suffered a massive stroke and underwent brain surgery. To everyone's amazement he survived and recovered to endure two more strokes, and nine long years with restricted physical ability and loss of sight. He showed unbelievable resilience in these last years, showing humor, compassion and patience, and he enjoyed every day as it came. Les was able to remain comfortable at the home he and Ginny built on the shores of Flathead Lake. He was forever grateful to the wonderful caregivers, Jessica Kurkowski, Rachelle Centner, Robin Gough, Kristen Hollemans, Carol Amick, Debbie Conaway, and Saia Misa, who provided 24-hour care to him and Ginny.

He had a deep belief in God, which he wrote about as he flew bombers across the Atlantic, often alone, flying by compass, looking for land before he ran out of fuel. Les was a man of remarkable physical strength and stature. He had many near-death experiences in his adventures that left him stronger in all that he attempted. Les lived the American dream, he lived to the fullest, he loved his country and Montana, and was dedicated to his family and friends. He was a great American and true Montanan, and a wonderful, kind, gentle man. He will be greatly missed.

His parents and three brothers, Stan, Clifford and Kenny, also preceded him in death.

His wife, Virginia, remains at the family residence at Flathead Lake Lodge. Surviving are eight sons, Dan and Laurie Averill, Darv and Sheila Averill, Doug and Maureen Averill, Dal and Kathy Averill, and Brad and Maryanne Averill, Jim Clark, Kent and Jan Clark, and Marc and Debbie Clark. There are 22 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are being directed under Johnson Mortuary and Crematory. A memorial service will be held for Les' close friends and family at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at the Swan Lake Chapel. After the service, a celebration of life and military honors will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at Flathead Lake Lodge.

The family suggests memorials to The Community Foundation For A Better Bigfork, c/o Jerry Bygren, P.O. Box 486, Bigfork, MT 59911.