David John Clowes

David John

Clowes

David John Clowes, 85, passed away January 14, 2016 at Francis Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow, Mont. A Funeral Mass was held on Monday, January 18 at St. Raphael's Catholic Church with Father Jose Valliparambil officiating. Burial followed at Highland Cemetery. A luncheon was held after burial at the Cottonwood Inn. A wake will be held Sunday, January 23 at Bell Mortuary in Havre. Please send any memorials to Glasgow Education Fund or Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital.

Dave was born June 23, 1930, in Glasgow, MT and as a boy grew up on a farm on Cherry Creek northeast of Glasgow which was, as he described it, "a paradise for a growing boy." He was the fifth of seven children born to son of Homer and Ruth (Biddle) Clowes. and brother of Art, Hank, Beulah, Mary Ann Moen, Don, and Helen Dekker. As a boy, Dave was involved in FFA and football (and numerous high school activities). He had a kind spirit which guided him to help kids of all ages. While in high school he joined the Navel Reserve. He played college football at Whitworth in Spokane. While in high school he joined the Navel Reserve.

While attending the University of Montana he met Dorothy Patten of Missoula. He married Dorothy Patten of Missoula one week before reporting for duty in the United States Navy. He served as a gunners mate on the USS Walton-DE361 serving in the Formosa Sea during the Korean War. Upon his return he and Dorothy ran a dairy farm in Missoula before returning to take over the family wheat farm near Fort Peck. With unconditional love he and Dorothy raised four children in the country, teaching them the value of hard work and responsibility and allowing them to face life with confidence. After the farm was sold, the family moved to Glasgow where Dave worked first for the State Employment Service and then for the Federal Land Bank where he worked for 24 years. Drawn to the rural life, in 1964 Dave and Dorothy bought a small cattle and irrigation operation on Tampico Road. They sold that farm in 1969 and moved to Glasgow. Working as manager of the Federal Land Bank (Farm Credit Services) for 24 years. In 1974, they built a house on the North Side of Glasgow and a cabin at the Pines.

Dave was a life time member of the Republican Party and was proud to say he was patriotic before it was popular. Dave loved practical jokes and was an expert at quick, witty responses and one liners. He loved gardening and flowers ("posies") and watching storm clouds gather. Dave loved spending time at the pines and took camping/boating trips at Fort Peck lake with his grandkids (parents were not allowed). This was one of the highlights of his grandchildren's childhood.

After the death of his first wife, Dave married Berta Connors of Glasgow in 1996 and was blessed with a complete second family who he loved and who brought him great joy.

Dave loved Glasgow. He enjoyed years of being actively involved with the Elks Club, Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce. In his early years he was active in the First Baptist Church and later he served as a Glasgow School Board trustee. He greatly enjoyed golfing with friends, and meeting with his coffee club for over 50 years. In his later years he enjoyed watching the birds come to his bird bath right next to his living room window. He served as a Glasgow School board trustee, in the Chamber of Commerce and in his early years was active in the First Baptist Church

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy; a son, James Clowes; Berta's daughter, Wendy Kambich; .his parents, Homer and Ruth; and brothers, Art, Hank and Don.

Dave is survived by his wife, Berta; three sisters, MaryAnn Moen, Beulah Burnham (Richard), Helen (John) Dekker; one son, Wade (Kathy) Clowes; two daughters, Dena (Rick) Burt, Lorrie (Alan) Merrill; daughter in-law, Erin Clowes; 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Berta's sons, Bill (Kim), Bob (Barb), Ted (Juli), and Tim (Debbie) Connors; one daughter, Marj (Scott) Markle; 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.