George Monford Peebles, 81

George Monford Peebles, 81, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, at Buffalo Hills Retreat in Kalispell.

He was born on Feb. 22, 1931, in Vender, Ark., to Mitchell and Dorothy (Collins) Peebles.  

The family moved to McFarland, Calif., in the 1940s. As a teenager, he was a member of the Future Farmers of America and had a knack for raising championship swine and won several state awards. He graduated from McFarland High School in 1951.

George served in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft mechanic during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged in 1955, he returned to McFarland and began farming.

He married Carmen Greene in February 1964 and settled in Bakersfield, Calif., where he worked in construction.

In 1982 they moved to Kalispell. George worked at Glacier National Park as a campground foreman until he retired in 1996.  

George had a generous and fun-loving spirit and strong work ethic. He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed fishing and camping in the high country. He was a member of the Flathead Free Trappers, a group of local enthusiasts who recreate the lifestyle of pre-1840s era mountain men through wilderness campouts.

He and Carmen enjoyed traveling to gun and antique shows to sell and trade various collectibles, including his exquisite handcrafted beadwork. Playing the mandolin was another source of joy for him. Bluegrass jam sessions with friends were once a common event in his home.  

George is survived by his son and daughter in-law, Mark and Marcy Ladd, of Bakersfield; daughters, Leslie Peebles Greene of Mount Vernon, Wash., and Veronica Brandewie of Sequim, Wash.; grandchildren, Stuart Brandewie, Kelsey Brandewie, Mason Ladd and Matthew Ladd; sister, Golden Simpson; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carmen; brothers, Boyd, Doyle, JD and Gufford; and sister, Jewel.  

Memorial services for George will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at Flathead Valley Cowboy Church with Pastor Don Robinson officiating.

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