Darrell Kaufman, 72, of Libby

Darrell G. “Pop” Kaufman passed away March 13, 2014, at the Mountain View Manor in Eureka.

Darrell was born Nov. 14, 1941, in Kalispell to Karl and Maxine (Montgomery) Kaufman.

His first home was a log cabin without electricity and running water, where he joined his parents and two brothers in Pleasant Valley between Kalispell and Libby.

In 1943, he moved to Libby where he later started grammar school. In 1950 the family moved upriver to Rexford, where he finished grade school and entered Lincoln County High School in Eureka. He joined the Navy in 1958 and served in the Pacific Fleet until 1960. He was reassigned to the Mediterranean Fleet with a home post in Jacksonville, Fla. While stationed in Jacksonville, he met and married Alma Jane Butt. Together they had four children.

Darrell resigned from the Navy in 1964 to be more involved with his growing family. He was an owner and operator of a truck concern and later became dispatcher for Brown Trucking of Jacksonville. After a few years, his marriage ended in divorce and he returned to Montana.

In 1985 he married childhood friend Shirley Marie Truman-Torres. She brought him five stepchildren. He and Shirley worked in the restaurant business for several years and then we worked at Lone Pine Lumber for several years until he started distributing dairy products for Equity Co-op, until his retirement in 2011.

Darrell was preceded in death by his wife of 25 years, Shirley, his parents and a brother, Ronald Kaufman.

He is survived by a brother Bruce (Wanda) Kaufman, of Prairie City, Ore., a sister Sandra (Larry) Fuller of Pincher Creek, Alberta, daughters Darylene (Robert) Allen, Sandra (John) Moore, of Jacksonville, Fla, Sue Torres of Gillette, Wyo., Teresa (Chuck) Torres-Birgensmith of Eureka  and Barbara Ann (fiancé Wade) Torres of Columbia Falls; sons, Andy Torres of Billings, Rocky (Kathy) Torres of Oakley, Kan., Michael Kaufman and Stephen (Camilla) Kaufman of Callahan, Fla. Survivors also include 17 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Military graveside services took place March 17, 2014, at 1:00 pm at the Tobacco Valley Cemetery in Eureka. Local arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Eureka.