Obituary; George Frederick Popham

George Frederick Popham — 1918 - 2015

George Frederick Popham passed away on June 11, 2015, in St. Regis, Montana, where he has been living with his Grandchildren, Joe and Charlee Thompson, who have provided 24/7 care for the past three months. He said: “These kids take pretty good care of me.”

His oldest Grandson, Rick Neumiller, was at his side. He had been living at the Assisted Living in Superior from March, 2013 to March, 2015, when he moved to Joe and Charlee’s.

George was born November 27, 1918 to Sarah Evelyn Popham and Frederick Freeman at Woodside, Montana. He was about the 27th birth to be recorded in Ravalli County after it separated from Missoula County.

He was raised by his grandparents James Thomas and Sarah Hattie Popham. His maternal great-grandfather, George Boys Wood and paternal great-grandparents, John William and Mary Elizabeth Smithey Popham, were all pioneers, coming to the Bitterroot Valley in the 1880’s by wagon train from Missouri.

He lived in various places in the Bitterroot: Victor, Sleeping Child, Three-Mile, Stevensville, Hamilton, and then in Missoula. He was the oldest of 9 siblings: Bill, Bob, Dick, Chuck, Lorene, Shirley, Carl, Marie, and Tom.

His grandfather was killed in a logging accident when he was 9 and he only completed the 8th grade before he quit school to go to work running a thrashing machine. He picked up odd jobs to help support his grandmother. He got 50 cents a cord for wood (cut and delivered).

He picked up scrap metal and sold it. He worked haying, picking strawberries, weeding carrots, driving a sawdust wagon: a team of horses with a wagon, and eventually a thrashing machine and steam engine.

He married Connie Grace Denning on 08/17/38 and became a father to Carol Mae Clements, who was two years old.

They lived in Hamilton, where a second daughter, Nancy Marie joined them. A couple years later the youngest daughter, Mary Jean rounded out the family.

In June of 1943, George went to work for the Northern Pacific Transport, a job that lasted 38 years. In August, 1944, he was drafted into the United States Navy during World War II. He was a Seaman First Class and in March, 1945, his ship was hit by a Japanese Kamikaze plane in Okinawa.

He was a strong advocate of the importance of the Flag and the Constitution. He was discharged, returned home, and to work at the Northern Pacific Transport.

He drove truck and bus the rest of his career. He received many safe-driving awards.

In July, 1946, George traded his car (a 1933 Chevy 2-door) to a cousin for equity in the house at 2018 South 9th W. in Missoula, where the family resided until all the children were raised and Connie died in 1970.

George then married Katie Evans, and added two more daughters, Alice and Mary Lee to the family and they moved to their home on the river between East Missoula and Bonner, where he lived until he went into the Assisted Living.

During those years, George and Katie were active square dancers, traveling to dances across the Northwest and even into Canada. He was an active member of the Teamsters and the American Legion.

After Katie died, he found a beautiful partner in Billie McNay.

They spent seven wonderful years together and square-danced and traveled. Her family welcomed him in and became part of his family.

George has always been a man of integrity and has been thought of with respect, he lived life to the fullest and always a gentleman.

George was preceded in death by his three loves: Connie Grace, Kathryn, and Billie; his daughter, Carol, step-daughter, Mary Lee, and grandson, Kenneth. He is survived by his three daughters:

Carol’s Children: George’s Grandchildren: Sue Rasley. Arizona, and three great-grandchildren: Heath, Ben and Heather. Rick (Nora) Neumiller, Mission Viejo, CA and three great-grandchildren: Kurt, Mark, and Alia. Daughter-in-law, Marilyn Neumiller and great-granddaughter, Kendra.

Nancy (Jay) Smith, St. Regis, MT — grandchildren: Steve Thompson and great-grandchildren, Jacob, Shandi, and Christopher, Post Falls, Idaho; Nola (David) Clevidence, Stevensville, MT, and great-grandchildren, Daniel (Julia), Billings, and Sarah (Chase) Cranmore, Stevensville, MT. Scott (Bonnie) Thompson, Great Falls, MT and great-grandchildren, Thomas and Alli. Chief Warrant Officer Tomi J. Thompson, Fort Knox, Kentucky, and great-granddaughter, Kaydence. Joe (Charlee) Thompson, St. Regis, MT, and great-granddaughters, Krystina and Kylee. Kim Smith, Apple Valley, CA. Bajin Smith, St. Regis, MT and great-grandchildren: Bajin Bradley, Tanner, and Sami. Tony (Shannon) Smith and two great-grandsons: Cody and Trevor. Daughter-in-law, Danna Clairmont and great-grandchildren: Eric (Raynee), Courtney, and Jordyn. And 8 great-great-grandchildren.

Alice (Mickey) O’Brien, Superior, MT, grandson, Michael O’Brien, Spokane and two great-granddaughters: Sara Beth and Jennifer and a great-great-grandson.

Mary Jean (Bill) Beeler, Rexford, MT— grandchildren: Laurie (Dallas) Dupree, Salmon, ID and great-grandsons; Dallas Lee and Zachary. Linda (Jim) Foster, Plains, MT and great-granddaughters, Sarah Lee (Cody) Saranto and Jessie Gittins, with two great-great grandchildren. Lisa (Tony) Johnson, Frenchtown, MT and great-grandchildren: Josh (Kaloni) Neville, Columbia Falls, MT, Janelle, and Terri, and two great-great-grandchildren.

The McNay Family have been a part of our family and we want to recognize their love and support.

Denise Lommen and The Mountain View Village Assisted Living provided loving, gentle care for over two years. Cathy Ruiz was a God-send and came when we called. We, also, want to express our appreciation for the outstanding love and care that Joe, Charlee, Krystina, and Kylee gave to Grandpa George over the past three months.

 It was truly an act of supreme sacrifice and love.

Partners in Home Care have been invaluable in the service provided with Hospice to help him be comfortable and cared for. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Thursday, June 18 at Garden City Funeral Home, 1705 West Broadway in Missoula, MT with a graveside service at Sunset Memorial Gardens with military honors, with a reception to follow to celebrate the life of this great man, back at Garden City Funeral Home.

His gentle, sweet, personality will be truly missed.