Elmore Ray Cass, 79

Elmore Ray Cass, 79, of Polson, passed away July 18, 2011.

He and his twin sister, Elinor, were born at Hotel Dieu Hospital in Polson on Feb. 12, 1932, to Frances and Merritt Cass.

Elmore graduated from Polson High School in 1950 and entered the Navy with some of his classmates in March 1951. He served as a radio operator during the Korean War on the U.S.S. Titania (AKA-13), and was honorably discharged in March 1955.

After the service he joined his father and older brother Duane in the family business, Merritt Cass and Sons Construction. Many of the buildings in Polson, Ronan, Missoula and throughout Montana were built by them. The Governor’s Mansion in Helena, Linderman School, the Tamsco building, the Lake County Courthouse addition, St. Joseph Hospital addition, Grogan Funeral Home and what is now First Interstate Bank in Polson are just a few of his jobs.

He lived in Wyoming for three years in the early 1980s, working in Yellowstone Park and on the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, and building the Big Horn Bank in Powell. It was there he became an EMT II and ran the county ambulance service for a year.

Later he moved to Oregon, renovating historical hotels, including the Astor Hotel in Astoria. He returned to Oregon in the early 1990s and worked for five years for the Galvanizers in Portland.

He was a lifelong Elks member and belonged to the Jaycees, Lion’s Club, Missoula Trap & Skeet Club, several snowmobile clubs and participated for many years in Relay for Life.

Elmore married Nancy Thomas on Oct. 10, 1956, and they raised three daughters, Cindy and William Trant of Nevada City, Calif., Teresa and Scott Hicks of Rock Creek, Mont., and Ritchie and Michael Wildey of Lolo. He later married Allyn Gorman on July 26, 1980, and they have one son, Jason Cass and Tina Baltz of Polson.

Elmore loved the outdoors, and he loved life. His happiest times were spent with friends and family snowmobiling, camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, boating or just picnicking on the lakeshore. The place closest to his heart was Frog Pond outside of Philipsburg, where he lived a winter while renovating the jail and courthouse and commuting the 40 miles each way, mostly by snowmobile.

He had a wonderful sense of humor, was quick to make friends and was liked by everyone who came in contact with him. He was always willing to lend a hand to those in need, and his generosity was well known. He will truly be missed.

Elmore was preceded in death by his parents, Merritt and Frances Cass; his brother, Duane Cass; nephew, Timothy Hern; and niece, Becky Hern.

He is survived by his sisters, Elinor Collins of Polson, and Ardell and Lonnie Hern of Polson; his children; grandson, Brian Wildey of Lolo; granddaughter, Joclynn Cass of Polson; stepgrandson, Cody Baltz of Polson; and numerous nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. July 28 at the Elks.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Glacier Institute, where Elmore spent time cooking for the outdoor programs, at P.O. Box 1887, Kalispell, MT 59903, or the Diabetes Association or a charity of their choice.   

Condolences may be left for the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com.