Michael Paul Britton, 84

Michael Paul Britton died at home Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, of complications from a long battle with Parkinsonism.

Mike was born in Wall, S.D., on June 2, 1925, to George Francis and Helma Haglin Britton, the youngest of seven brothers and sisters. He spent his boyhood at the family orchard on the east shore of Flathead Lake at Yellow Bay. At age 17, he enlisted in the Navy. He served in the South Pacific on PT Boat 105 for three years during World War II.

After the Navy, he returned home and married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Catherine "Pat" Paterson. They moved to Bozeman where Mike earned a Bachelor of Science degree in entomology and a Master of Science degree in botany. While they were in Bozeman, their two daughters, Barbara and Beverly, arrived, adding fatherhood to Mike's busy schedule of college and working. During the years he spent working on his master's thesis, he was a range management specialist for the Soil Conservation Service in Dillon, working with ranchers to improve their rangeland.

Mike was offered a graduate position at Purdue University, so the family moved to Indiana. He received a Ph.D. in plant pathology, and then became a professor at the University of Illinois. He enjoyed both teaching and traveling around the state, advising farmers and golf course managers about plant disease problems. One of his special joys was mentoring his many graduate students.

In 1969 he and Pat moved back to Kalispell, where he taught botany at Flathead Valley Community College. After Pat died in 1973, Mike met Kathy Streb Delk and fell deeply in love for a second time. They were married in 1974. In 1980, Mike started his own consulting business, BioWest, assessing environmental impacts on native vegetation.

During these years he was very active in St. Matthew's Catholic Church, serving in social and parish ministry. He and Kathy helped to start Windsong, a peace and social justice group. He was passionate about politics and loved to talk about what was happening in our country and state. Mike was called to be ordained as a permanent deacon in 1987, and served until he was forced to quit for health reasons at age 78. He said being called to serve as a deacon was a tremendous joy.

Mike was a gentle man, full of strength and adventure. He was a lifetime scholar, always looking for something new to master. He loved wilderness and outdoor activities — skiing, sailing, hiking, camping and biking, and sharing his love and skills with Kathy, his children, his five grandchildren, and his four great-grandchildren. Mike was a teacher all his life, teaching not only academically, but also spiritually. He taught cross-country skiing into his late 70s. His love of trees and plants continued all his life, reflected in their huge, productive garden and orchard. Mike didn't necessarily stop to 'smell the roses," but he stopped often enough to teach something about plants and their uses. Tolerance, patience, compassion, kindness, humility, forgiveness, teaching and singing were part of Mike's life, which he taught by word and example. He always said, "Trust God and love people."

The funeral Mass will be held at 12:10 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Kalispell.

In lieu of food or flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Home Options Hospice.

You are invited to send condolences to the family at www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.