Howard J. Buck, 89, of Hot Springs, MT died on Dec. 31, 2005 at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. He was born July 16, 1916 at Camas Hot Springs and graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1936. He married Ruth Gardiner in 1955.
Howard’s love of the outdoors continued from his childhood though his adult life. He was an avid sportsman, spending much of his free time fishing, hunting and camping. Some of the family’s fondest memories are of spending weekends camping at Little Bitterroot and Flathead Lake. After retirement he and Ruth enjoyed many years of fishing and camping.
Howard enlisted in the United States Army in 1940, serving in the Medical Corp in the Philippines during World War II.

He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1945.
Upon his return from the army he and his brothers and his father purchased and operated a sawmill for two years on his timber claim at McGregor Lake. He and his brother Eddie, took over the operation of the family grocery store, Buck’s Grocery in Hot Springs. He was a partner in the store until his retirement in 1978.

A butcher by trade, Howard’s pork sausage recipe continues to be a favorite among customers at Buck’s Grocery and has been passed on to his great grandchildren from the Flathead, to Florida and Alaska.
Howard was a gentle, loving man, respected and loved by his family and friends. He leaves us with cherished memories of a wonderful life together.

Howard was public service minded, serving the community as a 65-year charter member of the Hot Springs Lions Club, fire chief of the Hot Springs Volunteer Fire Department, and was involved with youth as a Boy Scout Leader.
He was preceded in death by his wife and pal, Ruth; one brother, Eddie; two sisters, Margie Fortner and Velma Roe.
He is survived by his daughters, Claire Massey and husband Bill of Hot Springs, Kathy Andrews and husband Colin of Kalispell, Donna Andrews and husband Steve of Kalispell; one brother Lonnie Buck of Missoula; one sister Helen Pilgeram of San Jose, California; nine grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services for Howard will be held Thursday, January 5, 2006 at 11:00 am in the Presbyterian Church in Hot Springs. Military graveside services will follow at the Lonepine Murray Memorial Cemetery. Caring for the family is Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory of Polson. Memorials may be made to Ruth Buck’s Education Scholarship Fund, c/o P.O. Box 603 Hot Springs, Montana 59845.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com