Eric Bryce

Eric Bryce, of Missoula, a Plains resident for more than 60 years, passed away in Missoula on Sept. 5. Until his retirement, Eric was a partner in the Flodin Lumber Company with his uncles, Swan and Walter Flodin, and his brother Millar Bryce.

Eric was born Eric Archibald Bryce (after his Swedish and Scottish grandfathers) on Feb. 3, 1914 on the family ranch near Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada, the fifth child and oldest son of Thomas Millar and Anna Sophia (Flodin) Bryce. In 1918 the family moved to Saskatoon, Sask. where they lived for the next ten years and in 1928, the family moved to Austin, Texas.

Eric graduated from Austin High School in 1932.  Shortly thereafter he joined his uncles, Swan and Walter (and sometimes Gunder) Flodin, at their sawmill in Granite Falls, Wash., where he used his natural skills as a mechanic and his learned skills (in a high school shop course) as a welder.

By 1940, the small Flodin mill at Granite Falls was having a difficult time competing for saw timber. The company had been considering moving to Oregon, where timber was available for small companies. However, in 1941, Eric and his wife, Marie (Terhune, whom he had married in Nov. 1937) were on an auto trip when they experienced car trouble and were delayed a few hours in Plains.  Visiting with the garage owner, Eric learned that the local banker was trying to get a sawmill and payroll to move to town.

Eric walked down the street and talked with E. L. Johnson, at the First National Bank. Johnson told him that timber was available, USFS, State, and private timber. Before 1941 had ended, the decision was made to move the Granite Falls sawmill and logging equipment to Plains, Montana, lock, stock, and barrel. By Jan 1, 1942 they had started building a sawmill and log pond on Combest Creek, right where the road leaves the valley, at the bridge. In 1944, once more following a timber supply, the mill was moved to a site near the mouth of Thompson River, and remained there in business until 1986, when it was sold to TRL, who still operates the mill at that site near Thompson Falls. Eric was very proud that Flodin Lumber Company had been able to operate steadily for many years and provide a payroll for Sanders County. He was also proud of having been a charter member of the Plains Lions Club.

Eric and Joy Hunt were married on July 24, 1986. After several years they moved their home from Combest Creek into the town of Plains where they enjoyed being closer to what was going on, such as walking over to Benji’s for coffee with friends or lunch.

Over the years they enjoyed many trips in their motor home across the state of Montana to visit Joy’s family in Eastern Montana, as well as spending the winter months sightseeing and visiting friends in California and Arizona, always returning to their home in Plains as soon as spring arrived. In later years they gave up their home in Plains and moved to their retirement home in Missoula to be closer to medical resources.

Eric is predeceased by his parents, five sisters and his first wife.  He is survived by his second wife, Joy, and his brother, Millar Bryce, both of Missoula; three nephews, three nieces and three step-sons.

A celebration of Eric’s life will be held in the Plains United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18. The family suggests that contributions in Eric’s memory be made to the Plains United Methodist Church or other charity of personal choice.