Douglas F. Wise, 93

Douglas F. Wise, 93, passed away on Friday, Jan. 14, 2011, at Health Center Northwest in Kalispell.

He was born Aug. 19, 1917, to George and Mary Wise in Kalispell. He attended school at Elrod Elementary and Central Junior High School. Doug left school in the eighth grade to go work in the woods to help support the family. As a teen, he started working for Cecil Sykes at the slaughterhouse and eventually learned to buy and sell cattle from his father.  He then worked for Cecil Sykes in the meat market. Doug purchased the market in 1945 and then the grocery business in 1947. He met and married Julia “Judy” Mae Potts on Dec. 19, 1952 in Missoula. He owned and operated Sykes' for 64 years. Doug was a member of the Eagles and the Elks. He loved horses, cattle buying and taking care of the elderly.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary Wise; son, Douglas Wise Jr.; son, Terry Wise; daughter, Nola Wise; sisters, Bud Willey, Rachel Mitton, Mae Lester, and Mary Roach Wise; and brothers, Gene “Buzzy” Wise and Wallace Wise.

He is survived by his wife, Julia “Judy” Mae Wise; son, David Wise and Doris of Vaughn; daughter, Diana Stoller and Walt of Somers; daughter, Cindy Dodson and Steve of Las Vegas; daughter, Mary Janice Inman and Mike of Spokane; son, Tim Wise and Dodie of Kalispell; son, Randy Wise and Debi of Kalispell; daughter, Hilda Wise; sisters, Lorraine Schultz and Gladys Kikendahl of Kalispell; 23 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, at the Christian Center, 255 Summit Ridge Dr., in Kalispell. Interment will follow at C. E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. An open house in Doug’s honor will take place from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at Sykes’ Restaurant in Kalispell. A visitation will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions can be made in Doug's name to the “Sykes’ Free Thanksgiving Dinner Fund” at Valley Bank, The Samaritan House, Salvation Army, or a charity of your choice.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Doug's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Doug's guest book, offer condolences and share memories.