Howard Richard Glazier, 84

Howard Richard Glazier, 84, passed away Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, at his home in Kalispell.

He was born in Miles City on Jan. 13, 1929, to Harold Burke and Olga Ann (Kicker) Glazier.

He attended first grade at Sumatra School and moved with his parents in 1935 to the Boorman Community of Smith Valley, west of Kalispell. There he attended Boorman School through eighth grade, and onto Flathead High County School where he graduated in 1948.  

Howard met the love of his life, Laura Belle Marquardt in 4-H. They were married May 31, 1953. He always joked that Laura could not wait one more day to be a June Bride.

Over Howard’s life he achieved many accomplishments in relation to the life he loved being a rancher, forester and outdoorsman. He was an FFA member of Flathead High, Smith Valley 4-H club member and officer throughout the years. He was a master and officer of Smith Valley and Pomona Grange from 1943, continuing on for 70 years. He was a member of the Wool Growers Association beginning in 1958, where he served as vice president and president as well. Howard received the outstanding young farmer of the year in 1956, by the Kalispell Junior Chamber of Commerce. 

Howard was drafted into the Army in February 1951, during the Korean Conflict. He received appointment as acting sergeant in April 1952. He also received outstanding soldier of the month in his company for character, devotion to duty, soldierly appearance, plus energetic and intelligent application to the tasks at hand. Howard did not take any leave, and was able to come home a month early in December 1952. 

Howard served on the Boorman School Board, Flathead County Planning Board and Fair Board for many years.

Howard shared his generosity, knowledge, humor, love of life and a good many lessons with everyone he encountered. He never turned anyone away and always shared a meal with them. “Everybody has good in them,” he often stated.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents, H.B. Glazier and Olga A. Glazier.  

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Laura Belle Glazier of Kalispell; their five children, daughter Laura Lee Buckallew and husband Charlie, their four children, Dale and wife Belinda, Victoria, Ben and wife Megan, and Cody; daughter Frances Smith and husband Mark, their three children, Miles, Ryan, and Mason; daughter, Audrey Vetrone and husband Jim, their four children, Tracy Swope and husband Todd, Kelly Landsberger, Cindy Liebrecht and husband Brandon, and Todd; daughter Shelly Buckallew and husband Dave, their four children, Mathew Stickney and wife Shauna, Jay Stickney and wife Megan, Rory Buckallew, and Trey Buckallew; son Harold Glazier and wife Michele, their two children, Paige, and Quinn; 19 great-grandchildren, Cody, ShyAnn, Wyatt, Faith, Hope, Dakota, Trenton, Thelina, Lynnae, Samantha, Brock, Kayden, Brayden, Baily, Madison, Jayce, June, Piper and Tuff; one sister, Viola Marquardt and husband Verland “Tiny” of Kalispell; one brother, Dawson Glazier and his wife Sandy, also of Kalispell, with nephews, Edward, Darwin Jeff, and Todd, with many other dear relatives and friends.

Visitation for Howard will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16 at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Funeral services for Howard (the date has been changed from Friday to Saturday) will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17 at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, with burial at Glacier Memorial Gardens.  Military Honors will be presented at the cemetery by the Veterans of the Flathead and Honor Guard. A reception will follow the services at the Smith Valley Grange Hall on U.S. 2 West of Kalispell.  

Memorials may be given to the VA Home or The Boys Ranch.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Howard’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Howard’s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.