Joseph Eugene 'Gene' Clairmont

POLSON — Joseph Eugene "Gene" Clairmont, 98, of Polson died peacefully of natural causes at home, surrounded by his family, on Friday July 8, 2005.

Gene was born April 3, 1907, to John Clairmont and Mary Rose Morigeau in Ronan. As a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes he was raised and educated on the Flathead Reservation. As a young man he bought his first dump truck and worked in construction in California, Oregon and Arizona.

Later, after moving back to Montana, he worked on different phases of Kerr Dam. In 1938 he married Carol "Code" Wyman.

From this marriage, a daughter Julie was born. Code preceded him in death in 1979. In the '50s he owned Clairmont Construction in which he had a sand and gravel business for 10 years. He later raised Hereford cattle with Hank Bureau. He loved the ranching business and had a special horse named "Chief."

In 1981 he married "Sis" Wall. She preceded him in death in 1983. In 1984 he married Ella Oie and she resides at the family home. Gene enjoyed pack trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness, and traveling, and trips to Alaska and Hawaii.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Lawrence, Phil, and Harold; sisters Alice, Bernice, and Lily.

He is survived by his wife Ella; daughter Julie Wall and husband Ray Wall of Polson; four grandchildren Raylene, Marcia, John, and Tracy Wall; four great-grandchildren, Kaelen, Felicia, Tommy and R.J.; sisters Ruth Hall of Ronan and Myrtle Whittle of Seattle; stepchildren Jerry Oie of Pablo, Sharon Hill of Pablo and Donna Sturm of Greenough.

Mass of the Resurrection was held on Tuesday July 12, in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Father Val Zdilla officiating. Interment was in Lakeview Cemetery.

Arrangements were by Grogan Funeral Home, Polson

Hildur