Howard Day, 81

On Sunday July 8, 2007, Howard achieved his 'eternal home in our Lord's Kingdom.' Howard was born to Willis and Marie Day on Dec. 13, 1925, in Jersey City, N.J. Howard was raised in Garrison, by his father Willy Day, who worked for the Great Northern Railroad during the Depression.

Howard spent many hours riding the pusher engines to the top of McDonald Pass and back to Garrison. He always had a life-long fascination with the steam locomotives. His early teenage years were spent in Philipsburg working in the silver mines until he turned 18.

He enlisted in the Navy in 1943, and was stationed on the USS Boxwood, a net tender in the Aleutians Islands in the Bering Sea for the remainder of the war. Upon concluding his duties for our beloved country, Howard returned to our state of Montana. He spent several years in the Bitterroot Valley, working on trail crews for the Forest Service in Butte, working in the copper mines, and later working road construction which eventually became his life-long profession.

During this time he was able to re-establish his relationship with his mother who had left when he was 5 years old. This was a very important event in his life.

He met and married the love of his life, Reginia 'Jean' Hansen, in 1953. They had 54 wonderful years together. Throughout these years, the family lived in various locations in Montana, working in the construction industry. They settled in Great Falls where Howard was employed by Zook Bros. Construction Co. He was a transport driver hauling heavy equipment for projects all over the state, 23 years accident free. They returned to Bigfork in 1983, where Howard and Jean settled on the Swan River, and later moved into the Village of Bigfork.

Howard and Jean have both been teachers in the lessons of life, not so much in spoken words, but how they lived their lives through everyday life.

Howard was a simple, unassuming man who passed away surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren at his home. His last months were a testament to how he lived his life, and with his strong faith in Christ the dignity he showed in death.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jean Day, at the family home; eldest son and wife, Daniel and Ellette Day, of Bigfork; daughter and husband Janice and Scott Gordon of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and youngest son Michael Day of Helena. Howard's most prized loves were his grandchildren, Sara Day, Daniel Day, Trevor Brents, Aaron Brents, Kirbie Brents, Brandon Day, Nick Day, Josh Gordon, Jessica Gordon and Nicole Gordon.

Howard was loved by many and will be truly missed by his loved ones forever.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. today, July 12, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 13, at the Bigfork Chapel Assembly of God Church in Bigfork, with the Rev. Richard Stewart officiating. Burial will follow at Swan View Memorial Gardens.

Memorial donations can be made to the Howard Day Indian Youth Camp Scholarship Fund; this fund provides scholarships to help Native American children attend Christian camp: Indian Youth Camp c/o Bigfork Chapel P.O. Box 899 Bigfork, MT 59911, or the Bigfork QRU, Bigfork, MT 59911.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.