Allen DeWilde Potts, 78

Allen DeWilde Potts passed away peacefully at his home in Lakeside on Monday, April 16, 2018. He was 78.

Allen was born April 13, 1940, in Billings to Allen DeWilde Potts Sr. and Dorothy Alice (Shope). Allen spent his early life in Billings and graduated from Billings Senior High School; he attended Eastern Montana College.

Allen enjoyed sales and working with his hands. He purchased Mark Color and began a career in photography. He photographed kindergarten, elementary school, high school and college students for yearbooks. Allen also did studio portraiture, weddings and enjoyed scenic photography. In 1972 he and his partners established a professional photofinishing business for the photography trade.

During his free time in the 1960s he started building acoustical guitars. One of his 12-string guitars was played on the “Tonight Show” by musician friends.

In 1977 Allen and his family moved to Bigfork where he continued to work in photography, advertising and sales.

Allen’s hobbies turned to building airplanes. He built two planes from scratch. The first was a high-wing “Piper”-style that he and the family flew for many years with great joy. The second plane was a bi-plane Marquart Charger, which took 17 years to build. In 2003 it was flown to the Oshkosh National Fly-In where it received a Bronze Lindy Award. Both of his airplanes have appeared in several national magazines.

Allen is survived by his wife, Claudia; his daughter, Michelle (Jeffrey) Melton; three grandchildren, Derrick Fandrich, Ashley (Shane) Correll and Nicholas (Kimberly) Fandrich; three great-granddaughters, Alexa, Briana and Caroline; one great-grandson, Alexander DeWilde; and two half sisters, Diane Gerharz and Kari Nelson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather and grandparents.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 21, at the Lakeside Community Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or Lakeside Community Chapel.

Arrangements are under the care of Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory.