Ronald Schauer Duram, 66

Ronald Schauer Duram “slipped away with the Lord,” surrounded by family at his home on Oct. 16, 2014, after a year-long courageous fight with cancer.

Ron was born in Helena on April 21, 1948. He thoroughly enjoyed his time spent on the dairy farm in Simms with his grandparents.

Ron traveled the world with his parents, as his father served in the Air Force in Guam, Great Falls, Massachusetts and Portugal. Ron became an Eagle Scout in Portugal and attended the World Scout Jamboree in Greece when he was 15. He graduated from Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kan., and moved back to his beloved Montana to attend college at Eastern in Billings.

Ron met Mary Smith by the tractor at the State Fair; they married in 1969 and Ron began a 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from SIU-Carbondale in 1980.

Ron retired in 1989 and moved to Eureka to build his home and begin a second career as a builder. He enjoyed operating his sawmills — both a circular saw and band saw — cutting custom lumber for his various building projects. He enjoyed the outdoors as a family man, a black powder shooter, Boy Scout leader, hunter and shooting enthusiast. He enjoyed and set a great example for his sons and grandchildren. He enjoyed the camaraderie at black powder shoots and was extremely competitive with his sons — when his sons outshot him, it wasn't because he let them. Ron was instrumental in getting the Friends of the NRA banquets started in Eureka, and he greatly enjoyed getting together with the people that attended each year.

Ron was predeceased by his grandparents, John and Anna Schauer, and Joe and Mary Duram; and his parents, Pete and Lorraine Duram.

Ron is survived by his loving wife, Mary, and three sons, Neil and Rachel Duram, and Noel and Ruby Duram, all of Eureka, and Nathan Duram in Minnesota; grandchildren, Shelby Logan and Kimberly, Meagan, Emily and Riley Duram; two sisters, Nancy Sawyer and Jurene Mason; nieces and nephews; many aunts and uncles; and friends worldwide.

Memorial services are planned for 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at the First Baptist Church in Eureka.

The family requests that memorials can be made to Lincoln County Wings charity, P.O. Box 1160, Libby, MT 59923.

Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Eureka. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.