Clayton Eldridge Fanslow, 91

Clayton Eldridge Fanslow, of Missoula, born Dec. 27, 1925, died July 7, 2017.

He wrote the following in 2005:

“Having celebrated the good life for 80 years with my immediate family for more than half that time, I write my own obituary.

In 1925, two days after Christmas, Olga and George Fanslow, in a suburb of Chicago, took on their second son, Clayton Eldridge. A proper work ethic was installed by both Norwegian and German ancestry. Times were very tight.

During my senior year of high school, I anxiously enlisted in the Naval Air Corps and, with an Asian ribbon, was honorably discharged. Thanks to the U.S., once again, my education was continued in Missoula and ended with a “sheepskin” in forest management. Brief employment with the Forest Service and later in sales representing the wood industry and still later in real estate ended my productive years.

My overwhelming investment was made in 1958 when, in Vancouver, British Columbia, I married my wife, Helen, the daughter of Russian emigrants. Daughter Heidi and son Mark made their entrances forthwith. They are now productive, successful, pay taxes, have never been bailed out, and do not write home for funds. How good can things get?

Our retirement to Kalispell was also rewarding. We continue to enjoy good health. Helen’s companionship and artwork were exceptional pleasures. Camping with my family stands out vividly.

My tennis serve is down to 60 mph, I break 100 legitimately, and stop more than once to get to the bottom of the slope. I repeat, at 80, how can things get better! My favorite cowboy said it right, ‘When the chips are counted, I win no matter what.’

Thanks Helen, kids, relatives, friends, Montana and the USA for the great journey, Clay.

P.S. keep it light, don’t lose your sense of humor.”