Orville Kenton Oma, 89

Orville Kenton Oma, 89, 'went to be with the Lord' Wednesday, June 4, 2008, after a long bout with Alzheimer's disease and cancer. Orville was born to Ole and Karen (Aarli) Oma on Dec. 2, 1918, at their home in Bridger Canyon near Bozeman.

He graduated from Bozeman High School in 1938, learned to fly, studied diesel mechanics at Carroll College in Helena, worked for Rohr Aircraft in Chula Vista, Calif., was co-owner and operator of a Texaco service station in Fort Stockton, Texas, and returned to Bozeman, where he took over his family's dairy.

Orville was a World War II flight instructor and a dairy farmer, raised Black Angus cattle and was a cherry orchardist, and he built houses, pontoon boats and bridges. He was an active church member, and loved travel, flying, antique cars, and rock hunting, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge.

Orville loved the Lord and visiting with friends and family. He always was willing to help others or to entertain them with a story or song.

Orville was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Lida Mae Oma; his parents; one brother, Tennett Oma; and two sisters, Bertha Meadows and Norma Young.

Survivors include his loving wife, Louise King Oma, of Fort Worth, Texas; daughter, Annette Fairchild, and husband, Bernie, of Redmond, Ore.; son, Kenton Oma, and wife, Barbara, of Franklin, Tenn.; two stepsons, Paul King, and wife, Jeannie, of Fort Worth, and Richard King and wife, Debra, of Abilene, Texas; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, June 9, at University Baptist Church, 2720 Wabash Ave., in Fort Worth. Interment will be in Polson.