John Duncan Livingston, 83

John Duncan Livingston, 83, of Eureka and formerly of Great Falls, died Tuesday, May 6, 2015, at his home with his family by his side.

John was born to Duncan and Genevieve Riley Livingston on Nov. 20, 1931, in Pueblo, Colorado, the eldest of three boys.

John spent his youth in Great Falls and was educated in parochial schools. He was in the last graduating class of St. Mary's High School. John attended Great Falls College and Montana State University. He was a Korean War veteran.

John married Beverly Clare Kimmitt on Aug. 23, 1958, at Our Lady of Lourdes in Great Falls.

John discovered his love of work at a young age. He spent his summers at the family ranch in Geyser with his grandparents and learned all aspects of shearing, haying, and equipment operation. He traveled with his father as a teenager, working in utility construction, and began his career as an expediter for Utility Builders, became a foreman for Falls Construction, was plant manager at Fagenstrom Precast, and then went to work for the U.S. Customs Service in 1967. He was area director at the Port of Rooseville until he retired in 1992.

John was an active member of the Eureka Volunteer Fire Department, the VFW, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church and the Historical Village.

John was able to see everything life brought him in a positive way. He laughed hard about pretty much everything, and this trait made it impossible for him to remain anonymous in any social setting!  

John enjoyed walking with Bev, hiking in Glacier National Park, traveling, reading, volunteering, cutting wood, tinkering in his shop, playing cards, Jeopardy, gadgets, storytelling, a good joke and a cold beer.

He loved his family, his friends, and never encountered a stranger. He was proud of his grandchildren's achievements and successes and was a steadfast champion of their goals and dreams.  

Beverly survives John along with his brother, Jerry and Carol; his son, Mark and Ann Marie; daughter, Mary Hinkle and Frank, and grandchildren, Daniel, Sarah Dyck and Matthew, Jordan, Duncan, and Emily.

John “is belly laughing it up in heaven” with his mother, Genevieve, father, Duncan, and brother, James.

A celebration of John's life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 11, at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Eureka.

Memorials may be made to the Eureka Volunteer Fire Department.

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