Edward Norman Darrow, 80

Navy veteran and retired Deputy U.S. Marshal Edward Norman Darrow, 80, of Great Falls died Thursday, May 24, 2007, at Peace Hospice of complications from COPD and cancer.

His memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 31, 2007, at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Edward Norman Darrow was born June 20, 1926, in Kalispell. He was raised and educated there. He served in the U.S. Navy with the 134th battalion Seabees from June 1944 through June 1946, with overseas duty on the island of Guam. He married Mary Ann Reagen on Feb. 14, 1948, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell.

He graduated from Bradley University school of horology (jewelry and watch-making) in June 195 l.

Ed served as undersheriff in Powell County from July 1951 through January 1952, at which time he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of sheriff. He was elected sheriff of Powell County at age 27, at that time the youngest sheriff ever elected in Montana. He was appointed to the Great Falls office as Deputy U.S. Marshal for the District of Montana in July 1958. During his career with the U.S. Marshals Service, he worked many special assignments; the most memorable included 'French Connection Safe House,' the James Hoffa trial in Chicago, and a period of six weeks at St. Croix in the Virgin Islands during the very tense trial to convict eight blacks of a brutal murder committed there. During the period of school integration in the South, he accompanied James Meredith to school, who was the first black to attend the University of Mississippi.

He was also a guard for several people in the Witness Protection Program. These individuals were testifying in trials against such crime syndicates as the Mafia and La Cosa Nostra. This program eventually broke the back of these organizations during the administration of then-Attorney General Robert Kennedy.

Ed always enjoyed traveling. During his retirement years, he and Mary Ann visited several Canadian provinces, Mexico and all but four of the United States. A most memorable trip was taken to Singapore, Hong Kong and mainland China in 1991. They also took a Caribbean cruise and especially enjoyed a steamboat cruise on the Mississippi from Memphis to New Orleans, stopping along the way at historic Civil War sites.

He enjoyed attending retired U.S. Marshals conventions, golf, doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, camping, fishing, gardening and watching football and boxing on TV. He took great pride in raising huge Hubbard squash in his garden. He supported himself working in a bakery while attending high school. In later years he enjoyed making many dozens of wonderful Christmas cookies most were given to elderly friends as Christmas gifts. He was proud to watch his sons and grandchildren in their athletic endeavors. He realized a lifelong dream in learning to play the saxophone at age 68.

He served as the second president of the C.M. Russell High School Booster Club, at which time he was instrumental in having the Russell skull signature sign made and installed at the school. He volunteered and served on the board of the Great Falls Senior Citizens Center. He was a charter member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council and as treasurer for six years. He was a member of Retired United States Marshals, BPOE No. 1737, Deer Lodge, the Noon Optimist Club, and the Great Falls Senior Center. He was a volunteer for the REACH program, which combats illiteracy.

After retirement, Ed drove a school bus for Big Sky Bus Lines.

He was a humble giant, a very loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. We will truly miss him.

Survivors include his wife of more than 59 years, Mary Ann (Reagen) Darrow, of Great Falls; his children, Barry (Sue Nee) Darrow of Missoula, Coleen (Richard) Browning of Great Falls, and Mark (Laurie) Darrow of Seeley Lake; six grandchildren, Dawn Fagenstrom and Steve Hjelm of Delta Junction, Ala., Dana and Greg Mattila of Scapoose, Ore., Kyle Darrow of Great Falls, Kelly Darrow of Seeley Lake, and Aaron and Allison Darrow of Hamilton; two great-grandchildren, Bryn and Darren Hjelm, of Delta Junction; a sister, Mimi Shults, of Seattle; a half-brother, Norman, and his wife, Doris Darrow, of Prescott Valley, Ariz.; three nieces, Sherry Danishefsky of Great Falls, Darlene Poirer of Kalispell, Ardiss Hartung of Kalispell; nephews, Harold Grasser of Reno, Nev., and Bill Ehret Prescott, Ariz.; and his very special friends, Pamela and Alby Martinez and Phyllis and LeRoy Wesche. He also leaves behind his feline buddy, Socks.

Ed was preceded by his mother, Annie Bertelsen Russell; his father, Norman Darrow; two sisters; and three brothers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 332 Riverview 3 W., Great Falls, MT, 59404, or Peace Hospice, 2600 15th Ave. S., Great Falls, MT 59406. Condolences may be left for the family at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.