George Hayes

Former Libby teacher and school administrator George H. Hayes, 100, died on May 18, 2005, at Mullan Meadows Assisted Living Center in Missoula.

He was born in 1904 in the Bitterroot Valley to John and Blanche Hayes, graduated from Hamilton High School in 1924 and went on to Bozeman where he earned a bachelor of science degree in 1930, receiving his master's degree from the University of Montana in 1935.

George married Dagny Fjerlie in 1928.

From 1930-1938 they lived at Libby, where George began his long career as an educator.

In addition to teaching and serving as high school principal, George produced and directed a variety of dramatic productions, ranging from class plays to all-school programs,

George was superintendent of schools at Culbertson from 1938-1945 and at Scobey from 1945-1960.

He returned to Missoula in 1960 to serve as budget director of Missoula County High School until retiring in 1969.

"The Bitterrooter," a novel written by George, was published by the Hamilton Historical Society on his 95th birthday.

The life-long educator was preceded in death by Dagny, his wife of 65 years; brother Harry, sister Maude and grandson David.

He is survived by sister Ruth Ventrella, Boise, Idaho; brother John, Darby; daughter Norma Adams and son Tom Hayes, both of Missoula, five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Montana Cremation and Memorial Society.

A family committal service was held on May 26 at the Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton.