Gene Armand Doty, 86

Gene Armand Doty, 86, of Kalispell, passed away May 22, 2021. Gene was born April 22, 1935 in Wayzetta, North Dakota, to Chauncy and Irene Doty. Gene was raised in the Flathead Valley where he graduated from Flathead County High School in 1953. He married Juanita McAtee in Kalispell on Feb. 12, 1956.

Gene spent most of his career working for the Kalispell Fire Department retiring as fire chief in 1986. After retiring from the Fire Department, Gene pursued many additional careers, finally retiring again from Fair-Mont-Egan School.

He was an avid collector of many things, baseball coach for his sons, packleader for the Boy Scouts, and proud supporter of all his grandchildren’s sporting events in the Flathead Valley.

He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter Linda Freyholtz.

Gene is survived by his loving wife of 65 years Juanita Doty; sons, Donald and his wife B, son-in-law Duane Freyholtz, Steven and his wife Christy, Jerry and his wife Pam, and daughter Cheryl Doty. He is also survived by his 13 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews; and brother, Lyle Doty, of Conrad.

A celebration of Gene’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 28, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. A private urn burial will take place at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fair-Mont-Egan School, or an animal shelter of your choice.

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