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Dr. John Donald Herries

| October 13, 2005 12:00 AM

RONAN — Dr. John Donald Herries, 98, of Big Timber and Charlo, was transformed from this earthly life on Sept. 30 at Ronan's St. Luke Hospital with family, friends, and his beloved wife Evelyn at his side.

John's bright smile and sense of humor will be sorely missed by all who knew him, and the family asks all those who feel this loss to take a moment to celebrate the life and memory of a truly fine man.

The only child of Scottish immigrant John Ferguson and English immigrant Minnie (Taylor) Herries, John was born in Trenton, N.J., April 4, 1907.

The family came to Montana in 1909, settling in Livingston, where, nearly everyday, John and his father fished the Yellowstone River. John loved the Montana outdoors!

While attending the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, John married Evelyn Frances Rodwold.

In March of this year they enjoyed a 75th Anniversary party at their home in Charlo, where they chose 12 years ago to live next door to their son.

John and Ev made their home in Big Timber in 1931, where he practiced dentistry for 42 years. He thought it was his job as a dentist to entertain his patients, and so, as he worked he regaled them with stories of fishing the Boulder River and hunting Sweetgrass Creek and the Crazy Mountains.

He served in the 7th Army as a dental surgeon in the European Theater from 1941 to 1946.

John loved to read and to watch the history channel, especially if it was a story about World War II. A member of the American Legion, the Masons and the Big Timber Volunteer Fire Department; he also coached basketball for a town league and served on the library board for many years.

An unusual fact about John was his habit of topping off dinner with cake and ice cream. Some attributed this daily ritual to an incorrigible sweet tooth, but surely it was a sign of John's zest for life, for John lived every day like it was his birthday.

His penchant for party hats offers additional proof.

At any special occasion, whether honoring him or not, John could be found underneath a goofy, colorful hat teasing friends, cracking jokes, slapping his knee, and laughing away with whomever was within earshot.

He was unique in that he had an ageless quality about him; he made genuine friends with anyone of any generation because his wit, humor, and desire to be part of the action were infectious.

John was survived by his true love Evelyn for only five days; only son David John Herries and wife Tish; granddaughter Stacey and husband Matthew Herman; grandson John Scot Herries and wife Deborah Lissfelt.

He was the quintessential, generous, funny great-grandfather to Sonia, Elias and Clara.

Ever the gentleman, John went on ahead of Evelyn to hold open the pearly gates with one hand while holding a fishing pole in the other.