Don Bivins

Don Bivins, 71, died Wednesday, Oct. 3 at his home in Libby. Don and his late wife Mary came to Libby in 1964 where Don taught in the Libby Public School system for over 30 years until his retirement in 1996.

He was born in Great Falls on Feb. 13, 1936 to Ernest and Loring Bivins and graduated from high school in Polson in 1955.

Following his graduation, he served in the U.S. Army for four years and, following his honorable discharge, attended Northern Montana College in Dillon, earning a bachelor of education degree. While in college, he met and married Mary Webber of Browning and had two children, Kathy and Allen.

Known to everyone as "Mr. Bivins" or "Mr. B," Don taught mainly in grade and middle schools. Don was a loving father and grandfather and enjoyed participating in his childrens' activities, taking them camping and fishing during the summer in the Libby area. He volunteered as a Little League Baseball coach and also as coach of the Libby Boxing Team.

In his retirement years, Don enjoyed another side of his life in his enjoyment of motorcycles. He had been a member of the Thunder Runners motorcycle club and met many friends through this, enjoying many poker runs with the group.

He enjoyed being a snow bird in recent years, spending winters with his son Allen in Florida and daughter Kathy in California and returning to Libby to "brag" about his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include: his son Allen Bivins and his wife Dawnell of DeLand, Flor.; his daughter, Kathy McDonald and her husband Robert of Valley Center, Calif.; a niece, Gail McQueen of Libby; and his grandchildren, Trey, Tanner and Natika. Preceding him in death were his wife Mary; his parents; a sister Colleen Allison and granddaughter Nicole Bivins.

An open house gathering was held Monday, Oct. 8 at the family home in Libby. Arrangements are by Nelson & Vial Funeral Homes & Crematory.