Alan George Beaulieu, 61

Our much-loved papa, dad, brother, husband and lover of Jesus Christ, Alan George Beaulieu, took up his heavenly reward Feb. 14, 2020 — Valentine’s Day.

Alan was born to Thomas and Virginia Beaulieu on Jan. 22, 1959, in Libby. He was the eighth of the infamous Beaulieu brothers.

In 1977 Alan graduated from Libby High School. After dating for only two weeks, his search was over and he proposed to Sally Emett. They were married on Jan. 15, 1983. She and her family showed Alan the value of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, which he gladly embraced.

It was the best decision he ever made, explaining to everyone that because of Jesus, “the grass is greener, the sky is bluer and everything is just more beautiful with Him in my life.” He passed the truth of his faith and many others onto his sons: Bradley, Christian and Jordan.

Alan was employed by the W.R. Grace mine as a service mechanic until he heard the “call of the woods” in 1984 and started Emett Trucking & Logging with his “more-father-than-in-law” Leonard Emett. For 14 years he jammed gears in his ’71 and ‘84 Kenworths with the phrase “Going on faith — John 3:16” hand-painted on the air cleaner. Lovingly referred to as “Meathead’ by his fellow loggers, Alan could always be counted on to sing “Marshmallow World” on snowy days over the CB.

In 1998, Alan was offered a position at JTL Inc. Construction as a heavy equipment mechanic by his dear friend and boss Dennis Rooney. The writing was on the wall for the logging industry and he knew this was the best opportunity to provide for his family. So they set out for Belgrade. In 2001 Alan transferred to the company’s Kalispell branch as his love for the family that still resided in northwest Montana was too strong to keep him away. In 2006 Alan started as a welder/machinist for the Montana Department of Transportation in Kalispell, where he turned wrenches and busted knuckles until his retirement in 2019.

Alan was always up for golfing, fishing, hiking, camping and had enough hunting stories to write a book — a thick book. The outdoors was a part of what made him who he was.

Alan may not have driven a logging truck anymore, but he never stopped being a logger at heart. If anyone needed firewood for camping you’d have been smart to stand back as he would fire up the Stihl and disappear into a blaze of sawdust. He was better than a GPS at finding his way around the backroads of northwest Montana.

There wasn’t a mountain he didn’t haul logs off at some point in his life. He could often be heard saying, “I hauled logs off there one time,” which always invited the reply, “Where didn’t you haul logs off of?”

Alan loved people, especially his family. He had a special gift, able to make anyone feel like he had known them forever. With his affection and charm, he left a lasting impression on anyone that had the pleasure of meeting him. He will always be remembered saying, “All I need is my family.”

Alan is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Virginia Beaulieu; brothers, Terrance and Peter; and “more-father-than-in-law” Leonard Emett. He is survived by his wife of 37 wonderful years, Sally; sons, Bradley (Sarah) of Kalispell, Christian (Jessica) of Meridian, Idaho, and Jordan (Jocelyn) of Kalispell; brothers, Jim (Linda) of Clear Spring, Md., Patrick (Jean) of Florence, Steve of Bigfork, Vincent (Cindy) of Libby, Jules of Libby, and Sean (Vicki) of Missoula; sister Annette of Libby; “bonus-mom” Bonnie Emett of Kalispell; “bonus-brother” Guy Emett of Kalispell; six beautiful grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A special thanks to our dear Libby church family who will be hosting Alan’s Celebration of Life Service at 2 p.m., Feb. 20 at Libby Assembly of God, 105 Collins Ave., Libby, with Pastor Kevin Lindgren presiding. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Special music will be provided by longtime friend and “brother in Christ,” Gary Halvorson.

Lifelong friend Steve Schnackenberg of Schnackenberg Funeral Home will be helping care for the family.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to Flathead Cancer Aid Services at P.O. Box 1166, Lakeside, MT 59922 or Wings Regional Cancer Support at P.O. Box 7852, Kalispell, MT 59904. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,

That an angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand;

The angel said my place was ready, in heaven far above,

And that I’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love.

But when I walked through Heaven’s Gates, I felt so much at home,

For God looked down, smiled at me, and told me “Welcome Home.”

So when tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart,

For every time you think of me, I’m right there in your heart.