Orville Dooley

Orville D. Dooley, 91, of Roundup, formerly of Sidney, passed away February 19, 2011 surrounded by family and friends. He lived a long and wonderful life. He was born October 26, 1919 in a sod house in the small community of Mona, Montana, to parents Henry and Goldie Dooley. In case youre wondering where Mona is, it is about 7-8 miles south of Culbertson, MT and about 15 miles west along the Missouri river. Yes, he was born in the BOONIES, literally. When his dad found out his wife was in labor he jumped on the horse and ran to Culbertson across the ice on the Missouri river to get the doctor. By the time they got back his grandmother had delivered him. The family had a farm there and raised wheat, barley & oats with 7 plow horses. Boy, times have changed! He attended country school until 8th grade, then graduated from Culbertson High School in 1936. Upon graduation he joined the CCC ( Civil Conservation Corp ) and the National Guard. He had to make money to help the folks out in the Depression. He helped build roads and trails near Alberton, MT at a place called 9 mile, and in a few other places all over Montana. In November 1941 he enlisted in the Army and they shipped him out to Fort Lewis, Washington to do his basic training and then to Fort Bliss, Texas for training and then to San Francisco to ship out on a troop carrier to fight in WWII. He spent the next 4 years in New Guinea and the Philippines fighting the Japanese Army located there. One of the biggest highlights over there is when he helped capture the leading General of the Japanese Army over in the Philippines. That general was not a happy-camper, got the picture to prove it! After the war he was honorably discharged in January 1946 serving his country proudly! Getting back to the states he went into highway construction and eventually bought a couple of fuel delivery trucks which he used to haul gas to the farmers in the county and met and married his wife, Dorothy Christensen from Sidney, Mt on September 9th 1951.Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Dorothy, one brother, Lloyd of Billings, which by the way, had the same luck with the doctor, six children: Mike of Pocatello, Id, Kathy and husband Byron of Kalispell Mt, Pat, of Houston, TX, Tom and wife Shane of Roundup, Mt, Todd of Wheatland,Wy, Susan and husband Duane of Roundup, Mt. 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews. . Preceding him in death were his father, Henry in 1971 and mother, Goldie Dooley (McGuire) in 1995.His interests were many but the ones that really stick out were being Irish proud, fishing, hunting, music and throwing horseshoes. And yeah, probably exactly in that order. He later moved to Roundup, Mt in February of 2006 to be closer to family. A celebration of his life will be held in late spring or early summer in Sidney, Mt. Any contributions can be made to a VFW of choice to honor all those that serve and have served of this great country of ours that he loved. Many thanks to all staff at RMH, both past and present, for helping with our Dad in the last few years of his life! Words will never be enough. So long for now ol scout and happy fishing because we know youre doing that right now. We love and miss you Dad, Grandpa, Great grandpa, uncle, friend, but know your in a better place!