Maurice 'Butch' Richter McEnaney, 64

Maurice “Butch” Richter McEnaney died at the age of 64 on Sept. 11, 2011, at his home in Polson, overlooking what he thought to be the most beautiful valley he had ever seen.

Butch was born on July 29, 1947, in Butte. He graduated from Harlowton High School in 1965. He was so proud to be a member of the 1964 state High School Class B championship basketball team. He went on to graduate from Western Montana College in 1972. He also graduated from several military colleges throughout his career.

Butch married his high school sweetheart, Arlene Rector, on Sept. 3, 1966, in Harlowton.

After graduating from college, Butch taught in Conrad and Box Elder, before making the Active Army Reserve his life’s career. His 37 years of military service led him to many different places where he took major roles in military operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom. Butch retired in 2004 as a lieutenant colonel.

Survivors include those who will always love him: his wife, Arlene McEnaney; his three sons and their wives, Jerry and Amy McEnaney, Kirk and Tracy McEnaney, and Steve and Nicole McEnaney; as well as his grandchildren, Brandy, 15, Jasmine, 8, Cooper, 7, and Ryan, 3. He is also survived by his mother, Violet Richter; his sister, Gayle Jensen; his five half brothers, Anthony Shutey, Loran Richter, Mark Richter, Ken McEnaney and Mike McEnaney, Ed and Joyce Wretling, Tim and Danette Rector and several nephews and nieces.

“Butch, may your body rest easy and your soul be comforted in knowing that eventually, your family will see you again.”

In the waning days of his life, he whispered, “It’s turned out beautiful.” It has.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, at Polson Community Church in Polson. Interment with military honors will follow at Lakeview Cemetery in Polson.

In lieu of flowers, Butch’s family has requested that donations be made to Lake County Hospice for assistance in helping purchase new mattresses for hospice patients. Donations should be directed to Arlene McEnaney, 2012 Woodbine Way, Polson, Mont. 59860; or to Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, 101 Sixth Ave. E., Polson, Mont. 59860.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for the McEnaney family.