Beau Bolton

Beau Bolton, 41, of Billings, MT, left us unexpectedly on Sunday, September 3, 2023. Born in Helena, MT, Beau lived in Oregon and Idaho as a young child before returning to Montana to live in Billings. As an adult, he lived in Sheridan, WY, and Lewiston, ID, before returning to Billings about 7 years ago. An avid and expert angler hardly says enough about his innate love of fishing. When Beau wasn't at home or work, he was on the water. He began fishing at a young age with his father, and Fort Peck was a particular favorite spot for the two of them. Early on Beau took to fly fishing, in particular, and that became his true passion and the only kind of fishing he did. Subsequently he sought out knowledge from experts and learned the art of fly tying, his accompanying passion. His fly tying was on point, and he shared that hobby – and his knowledge - with many friends.

In his 30s, Beau took his dream fishing trip to Baja Mexico, in search of the elusive roosterfish. On his last day of a two-week stint of fishing all day every day, his efforts paid off. He caught a roosterfish and it was, to this day, one of his favorite lifetime memories. But, back at home, his favorite spots were the Clearwater River in Idaho (especially for steelhead season), the North Fork of the Tongue River in Wyoming, and back at Fort Peck, where it all began for him.

Beau met Liz in 2017, and they became best friends and partners in life, enjoying concerts, road trips, travel, adventure, great food, and even fishing together sometimes. Beau fell quite ill in late September 2022. Sadly, shortly thereafter he was diagnosed with inoperable Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer. Soon Beau got the test results that his lung cancer was a genetic mutation, known as ALK+, which gave him some hope for targeted therapies. Although there were treatment options, Beau also recognized that his time here would be limited. So, Beau and Liz were married on June 2nd this year and were able to take a very nice getaway trip together afterwards.

Beau's first line of lung cancer treatment worked well for about 8 months and then it just didn't. After much research and multiple doctor consultations, his next treatment option was decided upon. He began a new medication on August 24th, knowing he was facing the possibility of some scary side effects. Unfortunately, Beau didn't make it long enough to determine if he would get long-term results.

Beau is survived by his wife, Liz Harding, of Billings, MT, his sister Jennifer Bolton, his aunt Pat O'Dowd, his aunt and uncle, Jane and Larry Lamer, along with numerous cousins. It's also important to note all the wonderful friends Beau made everywhere he went. The fishing community has lost a good one and they will be lesser for it.

Beau became passionate about ALK+ cancer research during his illness. He would request, in lieu of flowers, donations please be made to continue the good work that ALK Positive does for lung cancer research, at: www.alkpositive.org/donate