Ryan Robert Simonson-DePratu, 26

Ryan Robert Simonson-DePratu, 26, of Fairfield, a derrick hand on the oil rigs, died from injuries from an industrial auto accident while working in Rock Springs, Wyo., on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, at Northwest Family Fellowship in Great Falls. Burial will take place at a later date, and his ashes will be spread by his buddies at his favorite secret hunting spot.

Survivors include his parents, Scott and LaRissa Simonson, of Fairfield, and Bret and LeeZann DePratu of Vaughn; sisters, Alysha Simonson of Fairfield, Alison Brandt of Phoenix, and Shasta DePratu of Great Falls; brothers, Christopher and Tyler DePratu, both of Great Falls; and grandparents, Bob and Bea DePratu of Whitefish, Jerome and Marge Simonson of Power, and Bob and Darlene Hill of Reardon, Wash. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins whom he loved very much. Ryan didn't have a wife, but the current love of his life was his 1973 Mustang.

Ryan was born Jan. 12, 1982, in Great Falls, and was raised in Montana, graduating from Power High School in 2001. He also completed alamon lineman school for fiber optics in Kalispell in 2002.

Ryan was most recently working for Ellensburg Exploration on the oil rigs in Wyoming. In his short life, he worked for Stone Mason Granite Works in Whitefish and Great Falls, DePratu Ford as a car detailer, Plum Creek Manufacturing in Evergreen, and Eagle IGA in Fairfield. Ryan was quite a perfectionist and loved his work and took great pride in all that he had done. Ryan always had a great work ethic and sought to improve himself.

He served as Senate page for his grandfather, Bob DePratu, in 1999, and was very proud of it. He still couldn't tie a tie, but he sure tried.

Ryan was an avid hunter and fisherman and all around outdoors kind of guy. If he was outdoors, life was good. His happiest times were hanging out with family or his buddies — with his lifelong friends, Tytus Rapp, Scott Allaire, and Garrett Kramer, and his two brothers, Chris and Tyler.

Memorials in Ryan's name are suggested to the Teton County Food Pantry; The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, 5705 Grant Creek, Missoula, MT 59808; or to the Northwest Family Fellowship, 801 Second Ave. N., Great Falls, MT 59401.

Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory in Great Falls is in charge of arrangements. Condolences to the family can be left at www.croxfordfuneralhome.com