George Bruffey Singleton, 89
George Bruffey Singleton, 89, passed away Friday, March 27, 2009, at his residence in Kalispell, surrounded by his four loving children. He was born Oct. 1, 1919, in Columbia Falls, the son of Thomas King and Emma (Bruffey) Singleton. George and three siblings spent four years at the Twin Bridges Orphanage until their father was able to bring them back home.
He attended Elrod School, Central School and one year at Flathead High School. He began working in logging camps at the age of 11, working alongside his father. At the age of 17, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked there until enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1940.
Most of his military service was in the Aleutian Islands, where he served for 2 1/2 years. He was very proud and enjoyed the time he spent there. He was discharged in 1945 and returned to Kalispell.
He met Alice Shaw and they were married Sept. 29, 1946, in Kalispell. They were the parents of four children and were married until 1955. He raised the children on his own. He later married Agnes Mullen on March 4, 1967, in Kalispell.
He worked as a log scaler for forest products for 25 years, and later worked as a drott operator for Stoltze Lumber, for which he worked until his retirement. After his retirement he worked off and on for Doug Kanshur Logging.
He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, ice fishing and camping with his children in Glacier Park and the South Fork of the Hungry Horse Reservoir. He was an avid card player, always enjoying a good game of pinochle or pan (Chinese poker).
He was a member of the Historical Society of the Museum at Central School for many years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Agnes, on Jan. 5, 1991.
He is survived by his children, Steven Singleton, Shirley Hughes, and Sherry Singleton, all of Kalispell, and Sandie Singleton of Renton, Wash.; stepchildren, Lee and Helen Mullen of Spokane, Gloria and Gordon Gann of Pasco, Wash., Carolyn and Gil Twiss of Hartford, Conn., and Janice and Ron Loveall of Kalispell; a sister, Ione Dawson, of Ukiah, Calif.; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life for George will be held at 1 p.m. today, March 29, at Scotty's in the Winchester Room.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for George's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign George's guest book.