Richard George 'RG' Walter, 81

Richard George "RG" Walter, 81, died Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, at his residence in Kalispell. RG was born on April 7, 1925, in Kalispell, to Claude Clifford and Violet (Hathaway) Walter.

RG was a lifelong resident of the Flathead Valley. He attended school in Kalispell, where he played football and basketball, and enlisted into the U.S. Navy in June 1943. After training in Farragut and Norfolk, Va., he was deployed on the USS LST 816 ship and spent most of his service in the Asiatic- Pacific Cummings. He was honorably discharged as a radioman first class in 1946, and received several medals.

Upon returning to Kalispell, he went to work in the family trucking business, City Transfer and Storage. RG married Irene Gorton. This union brought three children. RG later purchased the business from his father and expanded the moving and freight business to include heavy hauling. He won several awards as a top producing agent in the Mayflower Moving Organization. After selling the business in 1970, he, Irene, and his son, Rod, built and managed the Finish Line Cocktail Lounge until 1982.

RG was instrumental in bringing quarter horse racing to the Northwest Montana Fair and other Montana tracks. He raised many top race and rodeo horses.

RG was also a founding member of the Silver Buckle Roping Club, an officer of the Montana High School Rodeo Association, past president of the Montana Transport Association and a member of Albader Shrine and Masonic organization and local ski clubs, where he helped organize youth ski races.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene; his parents; two sisters; Joyce and Ellen Walter; two brothers, Don and Ollie Walter; and a granddaughter, Camille Wagner.

He is survived by his three children, Jan Wagner and husband, Terry, of Miles City, Rod Walter of Fruitland, Idaho, and Connie Loucks and husband, Bob, of Wolf Point; six grandchildren, Ryan Wagner and wife, Stephine, of Sheridan, Wyo., Jase Wagner of New York, Rock Wagner and wife, Jenny, of Everett, Wash., Jackie Walter of Kennewick, Wash., and Bif and Jed Loucks of Wolf Point; several nieces and nephews; and special uncle, Bill Hathaway, and his wife, Grace.

At RG's request, there will be no funeral but a celebration of his life for family and friends to share a toast and break bread together that will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Outlaw Inn.

The family suggests memorials be made to the charity of your choice.

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