Dean Gordon 'Red' McManus, 87

Dean Gordon “Red” McManus, 87, passed away on Sunday, May 12, 2013, at his home in Kalispell.

He was born Dec. 16, 1925, in Great Falls to Nathan and Gertrude McManus.

Red was the third of seven children. He spent all of his school years in Great Falls. He worked odd jobs when he was a teenager, one being growing corn on two vacant lots in Great Falls for a couple of years with his brother Hugh. He sold the corn out of an old baby buggy for $1.00 a dozen, making enough money for the family to visit an Uncle Thurman in Idaho.

In August of 1943, he married Francis Meirs and they had a daughter, Sherlee Ann, born Sept. 7, 1944.  That year they were divorced, and Red joined the Navy on Feb. 14, 1944. He spent his time on the USS Homney Bay. Red was discharged on Feb. 27, 1946. Red returned to Great Falls and found his passion in driving truck.  

Red married his wife of 58 years, Billie Jean Foster, on May 15, 1948. They had two boys, Gordon Dean and Gary Gene. Red spent time in Great Falls driving for several companies ending with Consolidated Freightways, where he won many driving awards. Red also drove for North American Van Lines to Alaska. He worked for some time in Alaska at a truck stop in Tok.  

Red and Billie moved to Boulder, Mont., where they bought a Hotel and Bar, the Windsor, in Boulder which he and Billie ran from 1972 until about 2000. He sold it and then went south to Wellton, Ariz., for the winters. Billie passed away in 2002.  

Red decided he hadn't had enough driving, so he worked for a mining company hauling dirt around. He was teased by his brothers, “Red, are you back in your childhood again hauling dirt around in a dump truck?” They'd all laugh then. He was at least 80 years old by then.

After the loss of Billie, he went back and forth to Wellton in the winters, back to Boulder until his bypass surgery in 2005. From there he stayed with his sister Carol in Kalispell for four months, where he met Helen Stevens. They married in October of 2007, bringing Helen's son Chuck into the fold.

Red had numerous medical problems but he always kept his sense of humor, his gift of gab and love for everyone he came in contact with, especially his grandkids and great-grandkids. Red hoped his great-grandkids would fill up the “piggy banks” he got them for Christmas.

Red was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Harold, Hugh, Dell and Glen; and a sister, Shirley.  

He is survived by his wife, Helen, and a sister, Carol Warnes, both of Kalispell; daughter, Sherlee Polglase and husband, Dennis, and their children, Rent and wife, Rosie, and children, Cassandra and Joshua, daughter Kiska her husband, Charlie Gifford, and their children, Ryan and Jordon, and daughter, LaVerna and her husband, David Lee; Red's son, Gordon D. and his wife, Kris, and children, Erin and husband, Tim O’Donovan, and their children, Declan, Ryan and Flynn, Molly and her husband, Rafe Hanahan and daughter, Caris; and a grandson, Drew McManus; Red's son, Gary and wife, Barb, and grandson, Nathan; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 31 at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Urn burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens, with a reception at the Eagles Lodge after burial.  

The family suggests contributions go to Friendship House or School of the Deaf and Blind in Great Falls, or you can mail them to Helen McManus at 2018 Green Cove, Kalispell, MT 59901, and she will send them on to the proper address.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Red's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Red's tribute wall.