Daniel C. Bush, 63

Daniel C. Bush, 63, ended his journey in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Jan. 30, 2017, after a long and difficult illness. Family members were able to care for him until his last day, as was his wish. His son, Jeffrey, provided the major portion of his care.

Dan was born in Missoula in 1953 and at the age of 9 weeks flew half way around the world to Guam to join his Air Force father.

Being an “Air Force Brat” he attended many schools, and graduated from Cabrillo High School in Lompoc, California.

He did spend some time at Bigfork High School. Later he spent many years in the area as owner of Alpine Home Center and a valuable member of his family’s Jubilee Sweet Cherry Orchard.

Anything that needed to be done, he could do or find a book to show him how. He could make fine jewelry and also build heavy equipment.

Dan was a true Montanan, loved all animals, hunting, fishing and camping. He raised a buffalo and ended up making a coat from the hide.

His travels included most of South America and the Caribbean when he piloted a boat through a hurricane. He also traveled down the Amazon River in a dugout canoe and lived with his family in Brazil for some time.

Dan had two children, a daughter Monica and son Jeffrey, and a granddaughter, Sophia, who is a year old.

He is survived by his mother Clarice Bush and father Bill Bush, sister Julia Bush-Swanson and several cousins and niece, Andrea Swanson; he is also survived by his former wives Ivete and Mila.

Memorial services will be held in Florida and later this summer in Montana with his ashes spread on his beloved mountains and the Gulf Stream.

In lieu of flowers, remembrance can be sent to Treasure Coast Hospice, 5000 Dunn Road, Fort Pierce, Florida 34981.