Gary D. Brown, 76, of Libby

Gary D. Brown, 76, of Libby, peacefully became free of his illness at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center on Monday, July 4, 2016. He was born Sept. 8, 1939 in Williston, N.D. to Vade “Buster” and Blanche (Wiseman) Brown. He grew up on the family farm just west of Williston. Gary learned early on about the chores of a farmer from milking the cows to harvesting the wheat. He was a member of FFA and raised steers for annual show and sale.

After graduation from Williston High School, he attended the North Dakota State School of Science, earning his two year civil engineering degree in May 1961. Following graduation, he worked for the N.D. Extension Service and the Soil Conservation Service before starting his career in Oregon on the Rogue River National Forest for the U.S. Forest Service in 1969. He moved his family, then-wife Janice, son, Steve and daughter, Darci to Medford, Ore. He married his wife, Janene, July 19, 1974. In 1979, he moved to Libby with Janene and Steve, where he worked for the Kootenai National Forest until his retirement as the Forest Operations Engineer in 1997.

The outdoors was always his favorite playground, whether hunting in the Missouri Breaks for deer, pheasant in the fields or ducks in the streams of western North Dakota. Once arriving in Oregon, he had new and different hunting adventures and became a dirt bike enthusiast from hill climbing to open-desert rides. The move to Libby, Mont. brought more hunting, particularly trips to the east side to hunt antelope. His biking love changed to tour biking with Janene on board for trips to Arizona, Oregon, North Dakota, Canada and their favorite annual June trip over the Going-To-The-Sun road through Glacier National Park. Gary loved to boat and fish on Lake Koocanusa, pulling their trailer to special locations to camp and recreate and he even took up the elusive game of golf. He shared his joy of life with everyone he met. He will be greatly missed by his partner of 42 years, Janene, family and friends.

His joy of sharing showed in the time he gave as a volunteer. Gary’s membership in Libby Elk Lodge (BPOE 2231) was filled with many friendships, projects and roles, including serving as the Western District Deputy to the Grand Exalted Ruler in 1987. He also served on the boards of the Libby Chamber of Commerce, Libby Video Club and Libby Creek Conservation District.

Gary was preceded in death by his mother and father. Survivors include his wife Janene; son Steve Brown of Pacific City, Ore.; daughter Darci Brown of Kingman, Ariz.; brother Harry Brown of Mesa, Ariz.; sister Kathy Eide (Orville) of Bismarck, N.D.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services for Gary will be 11 a.m. Saturday, July 9, 2016 at Libby Christian Church, 100 Kootenai River Rd. Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home & Crematory of Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to the BPOE #2231 (Libby Elks Lodge) Scholarship Fund, 220 W. 4th St, Libby, Mont., 59923; Cabinet Peaks Hospital Foundation, 209 Health Park Dr., Libby, Mont., 59923; or a charity of your choice.