Donald McClure

Mr. Donald K. McClure, age 92, passed away August 29th, 2018. He was born in Columbus, MT on March 6th, 1926, the son of Ira and Maude McClure. He graduated from Columbus High School in 1944. Don felt very fortunate to have been born and raised in Columbus. He lost his father when he was 12 years old, but people like Bill and Amanda Boston and Herman and Dorothy Erie took an interest in him and helped steer him in the right direction. Upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force to serve in WWII and the Korean War. In 1947, Don and his mother moved to Absarokee, MT where he worked for the U.S. Post Office and as a projectionist at the Cub Theater. He later worked for the American Chrome Co. in Nye, Mt. On June 19, 1949 he was married to Dolores M. Sikora in Absarokee, MT. Of this marriage, 2 sons were born, Kieth and Paul. In 1962, at the age of 36, Don moved his family to Billings where he entered Rocky Mountain College and earned a B.S. in Elementary Education. He then received a fifth-year certificate of advanced studies with specialization in Early Childhood Education from Eastern Montana College in Billings. He retired from the Lockwood School System in 1986. Don and Dolores moved to Joliet, MT in 1986. In his time off, Don enjoyed fishing, hunting, yard work, and volunteering. While in Joliet, Don joined the Lions Club and participated in visiting 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders in Roberts, Edger, Boyd, and Joliet. He presented them with a small American flag, information about the flag, and educated them in flag etiquette. Don was very community oriented having served positions in the following organizations: Absarokee: Absarokee Rural Volunteer Fire District and Fire Department Billings: American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Jaycees, The Parent Teacher Association, Lockwood Education Association Joliet: Joliet Lions Club, Joliet Town Council. In 1998 he and his wife moved back to Billings where he volunteered at Rose Park School helping students with reading. He also volunteered at the Deaconess Hospital as a wheel chair escort and served on the scholarship committee for the Deaconess Foundation. Following his wife's death, Don returned to his roots in Columbus and lived at Meadowlark Assisted Living. The staff helped him settle in and become comfortable in his new home. There he made new friends, as well as being reunited with some old acquaintances. He was preceded in death by: his wife, Dolores (7-24-2013); mother, Maude; father, Ira; brother, Walter; and sisters, Grace, Mildred, and Irene. He is survived by: son, Kieth of Springfield, CO; son, Paul and wife, Donna of Nye, MT; four grandchildren; one great grandchild; and many nieces and nephews. A private memorial service with Military Honors was held on September 1st. Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel and memories may be shared at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com