Hundreds turn out to pay homage to Randy Ingram

Paul Fugleberg

Leader Staff

POLSON — The esteem that the community had for former Polson mayor Randy Ingram was evident last Friday as all segments of Polson and neighboring areas turned out for a memorial tribute at the Polson Country Club driving range.

Ingram's widow, Brooke, told the gathering she appreciated the outpouring of love and support her family received from area residents.

She also related the love he had for his community and its people and his family. Her husband, she said, had a way of bringing people together whether it be family, friends or a community.

She had asked the Rev. Edwina Aker to give the invocation and two of Ingram's former co-workers, City Attorney James Raymond and Police Chief Doug Chase to talk.

Both Raymond and Chase recounted their relationships with the young mayor who was elected to his first term at the age of 27. Both said that Ingram always wanted "to do the right thing" in the various matters that came before the city administration.

Raymond commented "we frequently disagreed on what was right thing" but that "Randy cared about this place and its people so much."

The city attorney added, "The lesson to be drawn from Randy's life is that people of goodwill can find a way to work together for the common interest."

Police Chief Chase also commented on Ingram's wanting to do the right thing, the right way and for the right reason. Chase said that the mayor could be firm.

"If he thought you were headed in the wrong direction," Chase said, "he'd share his thoughts, and if you missed his point, he'd share his direction."

The mayor lived by two rules, Chase said. "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice. And it's greater to serve than to rule."

Ingram was reelected mayor in 2005 but resigned a year later when he moved outside the city. A new house in the Jette Lake area was just about finished and after his death, a group of friends are putting the finishing touches on the house. Brooke expressed her appreciation and said, "You're going to make it possible for me to raise Randy's sons in the house he built with his heart."

The memorial service was perhaps the most unusual one ever held in Polson. Hundreds of people, most of them in casual and golfing apparel, sat or stood on the grass at the country club's driving range. Golf carts were parked in a row as were police cars, fire engines, Highway Patrol and Sheriff's cars, and other emergency response vehicles. The fire department's huge American flag wafted in the hot summer breeze.

After the service, some of those attending took up Brooke's invitation to golfers to "stick around and hit a ball" in memory of Randy.