Howard Metcalf, 90, formerly of Libby

Howard F. Metcalf passed out of pain Dec. 23, 2013, at his home in Solterra Senior Living, Lakeside, Ariz.  

Howard was born in Colfax, Wash., Oct. 26, 1923, to Cyrena Mae Baldwin and Carl F. Metcalf. Howard was the third of six children.

As a child he moved to Libby and then to the family ranch at Thompson Lakes in 1939. He graduated from Libby Public Schools and served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1947 as a mechanic and ambulance driver for the 7th Medical Battalion in Korea.

Upon discharge, he worked on farms and ranches and hunted and fished all over the Northwest. In 1949 he worked as a heavy-equipment operator during the construction of the U.S. Air Force LF Loran Station (Low Frequency Long Range Navigation) at Skull Cliff, Alaska, 23 miles southwest of Port Barrow.  

When he returned from Alaska he worked as a mechanic in Kalispell and married Gertrude (Trudy) Mabel Holt in 1954.

Howard and Trudy moved to the family ranch at Thompson Lakes in 1960 where they raised cattle and hay until 2008. Howard continued to work in Kalispell as a mechanic until 1968 when he was hired by the U.S. Forest Service at Raven Ranger Station. Howard continued with the USFS in fire control and sales administration until his retirement in 1985.

Howard and Trudy had two children, a son, Charles (Tina) Metcalf  of Libby, and daughter, Muriel Metcalf of Lakeside, Ariz.  

Howard is survived by wife, Trudy, his two children.  

His parents and two elder brothers, Ashel (Barb) Metcalf and Clifford (Isabel) Metcalf preceded him in death. He is also survived by sisters, Ethel Pier  of Columbia Falls, Shirley Ensley of Colfax, Wash., and Lamyra Kay Price of Missoula; sisters-in-law, Barb Metcalf of Yakima, Wash., and Isabel Metcalf of Libby; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Anyone who knew Howard soon realized that he loved to travel, hunt, fish, play cribbage and tell stories.  

He especially enjoyed sharing the photo albums of his life which are filled with pictures of big game, big fish, beautiful scenery, and joyful gatherings, both large and small, of friends, family and food.

In his final 1.5 years at Solterra, he quickly became known as “a character” in striped overalls who was always walking, loved to make people laugh and talked to everyone.  His hugs and humor will be missed by many.  

Cremation arrangements were made by Owens Livingston Mortuary, Show Low, Ariz.

Howard’s life will be remembered at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, at the Solterra Senior Living Chapel and by loved ones in Montana during the summer  with arrangements pending.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital in remembrance of Howard’s love of kids.