Garland N. Daley, 89

The senior FFA classmates who signed the high-school annual were prophetic in the life of Garland N. Daley, who passed away Saturday, May 10, 2008, at the Heritage Place in Kalispell. They wished him luck with his purebred cows, and one declared him the "Champion Wood Sawyer." Born on April 23, 1919, in Rushford, Minn., to Carl and Benora (Vigen) Daley, Garland was the third oldest son in a family of seven brothers and sisters. The family farmed in the Fairfield area before moving to the Flathead Valley.

Upon graduation from Flathead County High School in 1938, Garland worked at Nash Finch, a distribution center for produce and groceries. He also hauled lumber to eastern Montana.

In 1941, Garland was drafted into the Army, where he served in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. While he was stationed in Australia, he met and fell in love with June West. After Garland's discharge from Fort Lewis in October 1945, he returned to Australia and they were married June 8, 1946.

When they returned to the Flathead Valley, Garland worked as a contractor, building homes. His real interests would not be denied, and he bought a ranch in the Foy's Lake area in 1950. Garland logged the timber off the ranch and at this time they used crosscut saws to saw the logs and teams of horses to skid them.

In 1955, Garland purchased a new yellow Mack logging truck that ultimately became his signature and icon. He used the Mack to haul logs the whole time he was involved in the timber industry. From contracting to haul for logging companies, to having his own company, the truck had more than a million miles on it before they both retired.

All the while Garland was logging, he also raised livestock. He started out with sheep, but eventually got the Black Angus cattle that he favored.

Garland loved horses and he loved to ride. It didn't matter if it was for a trail ride or competing at an O-Mok-See. He rode with the Flathead County Sheriff's Posse in the early 1950s and served as president of the Kalispell Saddle Club.

Garland was proud of the work he did and he enjoyed ranching, but his real love was his family.

Garland is survived by his wife of 61 years, June Daley, of Kalispell; and two daughters, Carol Lake and husband, Bill, and Carron Nelson, all of Phoenix; his brothers, James A. Daley of Somers, and Carl A. Daley and wife, Betty, of Kalispell; sisters, Betty Lou Neal of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Opal Newell and husband, Jim, of Billings.

Garland was preceded in death by his son, Robert N. Daley; and his brothers, LaVane C. Daley and Howard W. Daley.

Funeral services for Garland will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17, in the Johnson-Gloschat chapel. Committal services will be afterward in the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery with a reception afterward. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, May 16, in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home.

The family suggests memorial gifts be given to ALERT, c/o NWHC Foundation, 310 Sunnyview Lane, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Garland's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Garland's guest book.