Donald 'Don' Hunt Fairbank, 89

Donald “Don” Hunt Fairbank passed away at the age of 89 on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 in Kalispell.

Don was born on April 16, 1932 on a homestead near Dillon. He was the youngest of nine children born to Hattie Amelia Hunt Fairbank and Townsend Carpenter Fairbank.

Don grew up in the sparsely populated area of southwestern Montana near the town of Dillon. He met his future wife, Orma, on a blind date in Missoula. After getting engaged, Don had to wait for two years to marry Orma, as a married woman in the 1950s was not allowed to continue training as a nurse. Don and Orma spent the majority of their married life in Missoula where Don worked in the lumber industry for over 30 years. In 1990 the couple relocated to Harlowton, Montana, where they would also eventually become “snowbirds,” spending winters in Yuma, Arizona. Their last few years were spent in Columbia Falls and Kalispell.

Don was a loving father and an integral part of his children’s lives; he coached Little League, assisted the Boy Scouts, shared his knowledge of camping, boating, car mechanics and remodeling skills. He did not apply the then societal limits on females, which allowed his daughters to pursue what, at the time, were purely masculine pursuits in work and sports. Don was very proud of all his children and supported them in their choices in life.

Don was an avid reader. His preferred genre was Westerns, but he also enjoyed good science fiction and science fantasy.

Don was predeceased by his parents, five sisters, three brothers, and his wife of nearly 65 years, Orma.

Don is survived by his four children, Steven (wife Jill), Diana, Stacey Freier (husband Rodger), and Daniel (wife Kathi), nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held at a later date.

Friends are encouraged to visit the website at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.