Calvin Percy Jorgensen, 95

At the age of 95, Calvin Percy Jorgensen passed away on his daughter Nancy’s birthday — July 4, 2022. He had been looking forward to his son, Cal coming from Minnesota. He arrived just in time and he and his two children had a great visit earlier on the Fourth.

Cal (Uncle Perc) was born in a small farm house near Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Joseph Oliver and Mary Verlillie Jorgensen on Oct. 11, 1926. He was the youngest of 10 children and a total surprise to his older siblings. His family was very close. He remained in contact and was loved by many nieces and nephews.

Cal graduated from Idaho Falls High School during World War II. He joined the Navy at the age of 17 and served two years in Honolulu and Guam as a Morse Code communicator. After World War II, he joined his brother, Lee, at Utah State University, taking advantage of the GI Bill. He loved telling stories about playing basketball at Utah State with his brother. He graduated in 1950 and, because he was in ROTC in college, he served as an officer in the Army during the Korean War. He was stationed in New Jersey and worked for IBM.

Cal ended up in Kalispell in 1956 where he raised his family and enjoyed the beautiful Flathead Valley while fly fishing and skiing. He initially was transferred to Kalispell as the manager of the Firestone Store, then later managed various businesses including Bell Manufacturing. He loved his group of businessmen he met with once a week.

Cal moved to Helena in 2002 and lived with his daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and John Emmert. He was well known around Helena as a Carroll College fan and a fun guy. His sense of humor and young vigor for life kept him going for many years. He fell and broke his hip in November 2020 and spent his last two years in assisted living while still attending Carroll football games and family events, including eating at his favorite hangout, The Brewhouse.

Cal was preceded in death by his parents and nine siblings.

He is survived by his son, Cal Jorgensen of Mahtowan, Minnesota, daughter, Nancy (John) Emmert of Helena; grandchildren, Katie Jorgensen of Helena, Andrew Jorgensen of Minneapolis, J.D. (Dina) Emmert of Bozeman, and Tyler (Amy) Emmert of Helena; great-grandchildren, Zoie Jorgensen, Colton Ganser, Danyelle Emmert, Grace Emmert, Olivia Klemann, Taya Emmert, Kathryn Emmert, Madilyn Emmert, Hannah Emmert, and John Emmert; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews.

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 12, at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison.

Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Cal.