Robert William Adams
Aug. 14, 1915-Dec. 14, 2007
Robert William Adams was born in Polson on Aug. 14, 1915. His parents were Floyd Charles Adams and Anna Vivian Masse.
Bob was drafted into the air force in 1942. He was a tail gunner in a B-17 and completed 25 successful missions over Germany. On the 26th flight, July 8, 1944, his plane was attacked and destroyed. He parachuted at 32,000 ft., landing in a field. Bob was taken prisoner and placed in a German concentration camp.
During his time in captivity he endured what is called "The Shoe Leather Express." Bob witnessed many of his friends die on the walk through snowy fields and mountains. He was a POW until the end of WWII and spent time in the hospital to recover from malnutrition and other physical effects of his experience.
He married Betty Marceline Munyon on Jan. 29, 1951, in San Diego. Betty brought her 3 year old daughter, Barbara Jean, to the marriage. Bob and Betty were blessed with Beverly Elaine later that year.
Bob followed his father into the theater business and became a journeyman projectionist. Bob learned carpentry, plumbing and electrical and mechanical work from his father and used those skills throughout his life. He was very thoughtful and methodical about his work, no matter how large or small the task happened to be.
Bob and Betty raised their daughters in San Diego but always found time to take the family back to Montana during the summers. Together they built a home on Skidoo Bay, room by room. Bob and Betty continued their annual treks to Polson after the girls were on their own. They had many friends in Montana and often hosted family and friends from San Diego who came to visit.
Betty passed away in July 1991 and Bob was alone for the first time in over 40 years. He continued to spend summers in Montana until he could no longer make the drive alone. Even then, his daughter, Beverly, took him to the lake as often as possible. In fact, he spent his 90th, 91st and 92nd birthdays at the lake — he was there last August, thanks to Beverly.
Bob suffered a massive heart attack and passed away at the San Diego VA hospital on Dec. 14 2007. He leaves his daughters, Barbara Ek (Richard) of Everett, Wash., and Beverly King (Joseph) of Upland, Calif., and three grandchildren, Alex Ek and Adam and Tracy King.
Bob was buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery in San Diego, alongside his wife on Dec. 19, 2007.
Jerome H. Thomas
PROCTOR — Jerome Thomas, 93, of Camp Tuffit, Lake Mary Ronan, died on Christmas evening surrounded by his family.
Jerome was born on March 22, 1914, at the family home in the Proctor Valley to Charlie and Edith Thomas. He was the youngest of four children. The family moved to Lake Mary Ronan when Jerome was four years old. They established and operated a family-run fishing resort, Camp Tuffit, that his father had started in 1917.
He graduated as salutatorian from Flathead High School in Kalispell. Jerome and his dad continued to run the resort together until he was called to service in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Upon returning from the military, Jerome continued to help in the operation of Camp Tuffit and also established a Christmas tree business.
Jerome met and married Ruth Sines after meeting her during her family's visit to Camp Tuffit. They had three children, Gary, Mark and Jeanne. Camp Tuffit has continued to run as a family business, being passed on from Charlie to Jerome and on to sons Gary and Mark.
In later years, Jerome was known for planting all of the beautiful flowers around the resort and he loved to spend hours in his greenhouse. He loved watching the birds and feeding the squirrels. Jerome never stopped working at "Camp" and always was doing something to help out up until just a few years ago.
Jerome was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Marie Cederstrom and Jennie Eichmann.
Jerome is survived by Ruth, his wife of 70 years; a sister Helen Hall of Boise, Idaho; sons Gary (Carol), Mark (Dianne) of Camp Tuffit and daughter Jeanne Maas (Lynn) of Los Alamos, N.M.; eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
The family suggests that memorial gifts may be given in Jerome's name to the Polson City Library.
A funeral service was held on Dec. 29 at Grogan Funeral Home with the Rev. John Payne officiating. Interment was in Lakeview Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com
'Bud' Edward Francis Elverud
VICTOR — "Bud" Edward Francis Elverud, 77, died in the morning of Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007, surrounded by his family, at his daughter's home in Victor. He lived in Lake County most of his life until later when his heatlh failed and his daughter took him in.
Services are entrusted to the care and direction of Ronald Brothers with Dowling Funeral Home and Crematory 415 S. Second Street, Hamilton. Condolences and memories may be emailed to brothersR@msn.com
Jean Gordon Gillette
Jean Gordon Gillette died peacefully, accepting and giving love, on Dec. 18, 2007. She was born in Ronan on Dec. 30, 1922. Her parents were Carey H. Gordon and Josephine Cernik Gordon, who were homesteaders and ranchers in Ronan and later retired to Polson.
Jean graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in English literature in 1943. In 1944, Jean married Frederick B. Gillette, formerly of Hinsdale. For most of their adult lives, they lived in Sunnyvale Calif., where Jean was a schoolteacher and Frederick was an administrator for Santa Clara County.
In their later years, they moved to the San Diego area to be close to their daughters and grandchildren. Frederick died in 2005.
Jean's sister was Marjorie Davis, who taught elementary school in Polson. Her brother was Carey Gordon Jr., a dentist in Polson.
Jean is survived by twin daughters, Cara Gillette and Mary Gillette Fjerstad, both of the San Diego area, and by six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was brave and kind and will live forever in the hearts of those who love her.