Bryan W. Harlow, 49, of Libby
Bryan William Harlow, 49, of Libby went to ride the highest peaks in heaven on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014.
Bryan was born Aug. 11, 1964, the second of three children born to Margy and Elbert Harlow in Spokane, Wash. In 1972, the young family moved to Athol, Idaho, where they spent the next 25 years.
Bryan attended Athol Elementary School and graduated from Lakeland High school in Rathdrum, Idaho, in 1982. He then went on to join the Navy, serving proudly on board the USS Ranger.
After a tragic fire on board the Ranger where he lost several comrades, Bryan became very patriotic and took his service to his country to heart.
During this time in the Navy, Bryan learned how to be a boiler operator. After the Navy, he put his skills to work at a sawmill and worked 10 years at Kaiser Aluminum.
Bryan then spent the following years improving his skills working in, as he always put it, the school of hard knocks. He worked in several forms of power plants from Thompson Falls, to El Paso, Texas, to Leadville, Colo., to Fort Peck, to Newport, Idaho, and finally landed his dream job in beautiful Libby, where Bryan worked for the Libby Dam on Lake Koocanusa.
Bryan was an absolute lover of life. From being an outdoor enthusiast, an avid hunter and a Harley rider, his greatest passion was snowmobiling.
On July 15, 1995, Bryan married Leslie Lemire, who lovingly stood by his side and his wild adventures for 19 joyous years. Two of his many admiring character traits were being quick-witted and having an outrageous sense of humor. Above all, his family was his biggest joy, from his children to stepsons to nieces and nephews. He impacted all of their lives in numerous positive ways.
Bryan is survived by his wife, Leslie, of Libby; his parents, Elbert and Margy of Ione, Wash.; in-laws, Jim and Sally Axtell of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Gregory and Kiera (Harlow), and grandson, Conner of Rathdrum, Idaho; daughter, Miranda and Rhett (Jones) and granddaughter, Natalie of Hailey, Idaho; stepsons, Jason and Kari Rettke of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and John and Lesley Rencher of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and Justin Rencher of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; nine step-grandchildren; sister, Sandy Karnes; John Muckey of Great Falls; and sister, Kimberly and Mike Lind of Chewelah, Wash.
Bryan was preceded in death by “brother” Joe Karnes in 2012.
Bryan had too many loving and dear friends to mention, but two dearest to him are Todd Byington and Eric Arnold.
Bryan will be remembered for being a lover of his country, a lover of his family and a lover of all that the beautiful mountains of western Montana, which ultimately took him to be one of their own. Bryan was our hero and our friend. His laughter will ring on in the souls and hearts of all who knew him.
Services were held at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014, at Libby Christian Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bryan’s name to the Wounded Warrior Association.
A military service will be held this summer, but an exact date is undetermined.
Arrangements are under the direction of Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home & Crematory of Libby.