Hal "Doc" Wayne Reading, 59

Hal "Doc" Wayne Reading, 59, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday Aug. 21, 2011, surrounded by close friends, family and his beloved golden retrievers after a brief, but courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on Aug. 18, 1952, to John Reading and Georgia Christensen Reading. He graduated from Flathead High School in 1970, attended Kinman Business College in Spokane and the University of Montana, and then served in the U.S. Army.

Doc met and married Lini Hilbun in 1987 in Punta Chivato on the Baja Peninsula where they shared many wonderful adventurous vacations.

Doc was devoted to his work in the concrete business all his life, specializing in creating beautiful designs with exposed aggregate, colored stamped or simple brushed finishes. His handiwork can be seen in many locations around the entire valley.

He enjoyed whitewater rafting and kayaking, skiing, taking care of many home beautifying projects, was an avid golfer and an absolutely die-hard Montana Grizzly fan.

The lives of all those who knew or encountered him were blessed by his kind and gentle ways, including any animal which crossed his path or entered his life. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Doc is survived by the love and joys of his life, his two girls - his wife, Lini, and his beautiful daughter, Halle, both of Whitefish, with their golden retrievers, Alix and Dia. He is also survived by three loving sisters, Martha Reading of Kalispell, Julie Parmenter of Phoenix, Ariz., and Sally Forman of Salt Lake City; one brother, Ken Reading, of Houston, Texas; in-laws, Rob Hilbun of Paia, Hawaii, Richard and Yoyo Hilbun of Charlo, and Kelly and Terri Hilbun of Whitefish; as well as numerous nieces and nephews who meant so very much to him.

A special "thank you" goes out to all who gave lovingly, generously and unselfishly of their time and talents to help ease our burden through this difficult time. Our family will be eternally grateful.

Funeral services will be held at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 2 at Christ Lutheran Church of Whitefish, with a celebration of life to follow on Sept. 24 at Whitefish Golf Course. Contributions can be made to the Halle Reading college fund at Glacier Bank.

Arrangements are entrusted to Austin Funeral Home. You are invited to go to www.austinfh.com to offer condolences and view "Doc's" tribute wall.