Roderick Paul 'Rick' Muffitt, 60

Roderick Paul "Rick" Muffitt, 60, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2006, at his home in Kalispell, after battling liver cancer and pneumonia.

He was born March 18, 1946, in Omaha, Neb., to Deiss Edward and Eleanor Louise (Mackenzie) Muffitt.

Rick received his early education in Omaha and in 1963 enlisted in the Navy, becoming a Seal. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam, separating in 1969.

In the early '70s Rick played football for the Oakland Raiders. Back in Omaha, he worked in the car business, which is what brought him to Montana. Rick worked in most of the car dealerships in the valley until 2003. At that time he became the general manager for Unicore Construction, which is owned by Jack Bauska.

Rick was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2005 and contracted pneumonia in April of this year.

Rick liked to fish, race horses and the breed of Arabians, Monday Night Football and karaoke singing.

Rick was preceded in death by his father in 1987 and his mother in 2004.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Muffitt of Kalispell; one son, Russell Muffitt of Omaha, from a previous marriage; one brother, Greg of Texas; three sisters, Sandra of California, Valerie of Nebraska and Melanie of Washington.

A Celebration of Life for Roderick "Rick" Paul Muffitt will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24, at the Eagles Lounge in Kalispell.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Rick's family.