C. Bob White, 77

C. Bob White, 77, 'went to be with his Lord Jesus' on Saturday, March 3, 2007, at his home in Ferndale from congestive heart failure, The son of Bill and Emma White, Bob was born Jan. 11, 1930, in Great Falls.

Rob wore many hats in his life. At 9 years old, he was a shepherd for three bands of sheep. He counted elk with his father and a game warden in what is now the Bob Marshall. He enjoyed a long career of bull riding, starting at age 9 and ending at 36.

Bob was a Naval radar man and was connected with the U.S. Marines during the Korean conflict where he was also a member of the Naval Under-water Demolition Team. In 1952, he was honorably discharged as a chief warrant officer.

Bob decided Montana was the place he wanted to live. He married Rose Gelinas and raised five children. He supported his family by working at various auto-parts houses, driving trucks, building wooden boats, and wood carving.

In 1985, he married Jeanne McEwen and they raised two boys. After a 1989 fire destroyed their Bigfork home, Bob moved his family to the mountains just out of Trego.

In 1996, he and his family returned to Bigfork, where he resumed his passion of working on wooden boats, including one for Doug Averill.

In 2000, he was elected to the Ferndale Fire Department board where he became an active member and was instrumental in the modernization of the department.

Bob was fortunate to he able to fulfill many of his dreams. He cherished building many wooden boats and loved operating his sawmill. 'Following the example of his Lord Jesus, he treasured helping others, spreading his faith, and passing on his Christian beliefs.'

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Virginia; former wife, Rose; infant son; and son, Rob White Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne; three daughters, Alice Ganz, husband, Scott, and their children, Shane and Shanna; Lisa Berryman, husband, Troy, and their children, Chelsea and Emily; and Victoria Hullett, husband, Barry, and their children, Kayla, Jenna and Alyssa; three sons, Scott White, wife, Dawn, and children, Sean, Shelby and Danielle; Jason May, wife, Ginger, and children, Kaitlyn and Kassidy; and Jordan White, and wife, Laura. He is also survived by two sisters, Emma June and Caroline; and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a celebration of life at 3 p.m. Friday, March 9, at Crossroads Christian Church in Bigfork.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Bigfork Ambulance, 810 Grand Drive, Bigfork, MT 59911.