January 28th, 2015

Gene G.  Hughs, Jr.
Gene G.  Hughs, Jr. of Deer Lodge, passed on from living to legend on January 9, 2015. The beloved brother, husband, father, papa and uncle Gene will forever be remembered as the heart and soul of his proud family. 
Gene was born on August 20, 1941 in Anchorage, Territory of Alaska, to parents Gene G. Hughs, Sr. and Mary A. (Havens) Hughs. He brought joy and laughter to his parents’ lives in their tiny tarpaper shack in the remote mining community of Flat. 
The family followed opportunity. It brought them to exotic places overseas and gave young Gene a childhood full of adventure. The tow-headed American kid wandered alone in post-WWII Tokyo, seeing movies at the Ernie Pyle Theater, exploring the Imperial Gardens and the giant Buddha at Kamakura. As a Boy Scout in Manila, Philippines, he camped on Corregidor Island and discovered artifacts of the historic battle there. He would be joined in his adventures by younger brothers Larry and Lynn, and baby sister Stephanie.
The family’s Montana roots drew them back many times in his youth. They spent summers with grandparents Rial and Media Havens in Butte, Wylie Sr. and Grace Johnston in Billings and with their Croonquist cousins at the 7 Cross ranch outside of Deer Lodge. 
Gene attended Butte High School and later Peacock Military Academy in San Antonio, Tex. He was a remarkable athlete and marksman and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. Friends he made there would be his friends for life, like his long-time buddy Charlie “Chris” Salerno.
After high school he lived in the Seattle area where he worked for a clothing retailer. He developed an expertise in fashion and a stylish wardrobe. He drove a ’58 Austin-Healy Sprite. And he was handsome. The cumulative effect of these qualities made a lasting impression on many young ladies in Montana when he’d visit. So he visited often.
He attended basic training at Ft. Lewis and was trained as a medic in the US Army Reserves. He was proud to serve but humble about his service, showing deference to his father and brothers, all of whom were veterans of foreign wars.
Eventually Montana brought Gene home for good and he settled in Deer Lodge. In 1964 he married Sue Coburn. In 1969 he became the proud father of their son, Tyler. The marriage would last eight years, and they would remain friends throughout his life.
In 1973 Gene married Elaine Lingel, of Great Falls, and became dad to her daughters Stacy and Denise (Yarrow). Among the highlights of his life was the day his daughters surprised him with the gift of legal adoption papers, formalizing the role that he’d played since the day they had become a family. Gene’s loving and paternal nature would move many young people to affectionately call him dad or uncle Gene. Family was a central theme of his life, and Gene would treat the families of close friends and their children as he would his own.
Gene owned and operated DL Auto Supply for 50 years, with locations in Deer Lodge and Anaconda. The business was a vital part of the local economy and its positive impact on the people and commerce of the community can’t be easily overstated. His kids remember few days off that Gene wasn’t called upon to help a friend or neighbor out of a parts-related predicament. He and wife Elaine enjoyed great success over the years, yet maintained the integrity of their small business through great adversity and tough economic times. He retired in late 2014.
A gifted artist, as a young man Gene considered making art his career. Though he ultimately decided on business, his art remained a lifelong interest. 
He loved history. He was a collector. He filled his home with books and relics and instilled in his kids an appreciation for days gone by and the people who came before us.
Gene was devoted to a number of fraternal and service organizations. He was an active Mason, Past Potentate (‘88) in the Bagdad Shrine, member of the Royal Order of Jesters, Jaycees and the B.P.O.E. He was also a Geezer in good standing, attending regular meetings of “Geezer Night” at Scotty’s Bar. Gene was an avid supporter of the Montana Grizzlies and had a great affection for Montana Tech, the alma mater of many of his favorite people.
His big heart and gentle soul held a lot of love for many special animals. Among them were dogs Sam, Punky, Homer, and Paddy and cats Kitty, Kitty II, Kitty III and Tigger.
Gene was preceded in death by father Gene Sr., mother Mary, and brother Lynn, all of whom he missed sorely each day since their passing. 
Gene is survived by his wife of 41 years Elaine Hughs of Deer Lodge, brother Larry Hughs and his wife Terry (Sorensen) of Virginia Beach, Va., sister Stephanie (Hughs) Tusch of Mount Vernon, Wash., sister-in-law Karren Pasco of Las Vegas, Nev., former wife Susan Hughs of Salem, Ore., daughter Stacy Aguirre and sweetheart Dennis Zander of Glendive, daughter Yarrow King of Tucson, Ariz., son Tyler Hughs and his wife Allison McGillivray of Portland, Ore., cherished grandchildren Shanda, Boon and Hero and great-granddaughter Brooklyn “Buttons,” as well as beloved cousins, nieces and nephews and their kids. 
According to his wishes, a family memorial will be held this summer at the Hughs Lodge at Mott Place, his favorite place on Earth. Friends of Gene are warmly invited to share drinks, laughs and stories at the Broken Arrow in Deer Lodge, time and date to be announced.
Those wishing to make a charitable donation in Gene’s name can send it to the Bagdad Shrine Transportation Fund at 314 W. Park Street, Butte, MT 59701.
Gene Hughs was a good citizen, a patriot and a fine western gentleman. Despite his quiet modesty, to many he seemed larger than life. Now, to those who love him, he is free from all bounds. He is a giant.

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Alex Jackson
Alex passed away on Tuesday, Jan 20, at the age of 78.  Alex was born on Nov. 8 1936 in Helena to Clarence and Theresa Jackson. He grew up in Missoula and attended St. Anthony School. In 1953 Alex joined the army, spending three years in Japan and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1956.
Alex worked as a journeyman mechanic for many years then spent 23 years working as a timber faller. He retired in 1999 after working 13 years in the maintenance dept at Missoula Public Schools. 
Alex and Ardy (Backus) were married Sept. 21, 1962 and together raised four children: Lorinda (James) Hunter, Jody (Doug) Maurer, Chris (Cori) Jackson, and Cathy (Glen) Pomeroy. Alex is survived by his wife, Ardy, his four children, 14 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.  Alex was preceded in death by his mother and father and his three sisters and two brothers. 
Alex’s family would like to thank the staff at Deer Lodge Medical Center and the staff at Genesis Health Care in Butte for their loving care.
 Funeral services were at the First Baptist Church in Deer Lodge Saturday, January 24 at 11 a.m. with luncheon following.

Carol Arnold
Carol Arnold, passed away quietly in her sleep at the age of 77 Monday, January 19, 2015, after a long battle with cancer.
Carol was born on October 27, 1937, in Deer Lodge to Clarence and Esther Arnold.   Carol attended Deer Lodge Public Schools, graduating from Powell County High School in 1955.     In 1964 she moved to Los Angeles where she joined the Los Angeles Police Department in the Fingerprint Division.  Carol enjoyed a very successful 34-year career as a fingerprint expert, earning many awards, letters of commendation and promotion to Department Supervisor.  Carol left many wonderful friends behind to retire to her childhood home in Deer Lodge, far from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles.
Once Carol returned home to Deer Lodge, she became active in many community activities, Rialto Theatre Foundation, the Powell County Weed Board, Red Cross Blood Drive, Friends of the Library, Deer Lodge Medical Center Auxiliary, and The Book Club among others.  Carol was a member of the Unity Church which brought her great spiritual comfort and fellowship.  Carol was a member at the Sun-up Gym and loved exercising with the “Gym Crew”.  She loved gardening, reading, cooking for the family, identifying wildflowers, and camping trips and adventures in her Volkswagen van “Winnie,” and most of all Carol loved people, especially children.  She loved to work the room at social events and gatherings.
Survivors include (sister) Donna Brown and family of Deer Lodge, (sister) Edith Flores and family of Santa Fe, N.M. and (brother) Gary Larson and family of Deer Lodge.  Carol also leaves behind many cherished nieces, nephews and their families.  Carol will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Services were be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 23, at the Jewell Funeral Home followed by cake and coffee at the Senior Citizen Center.   There was no graveside services.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Rialto Theatre, The Deer Lodge Library, and The Literacy Program.

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Duane Thomas Logan Sr.
Duane Thomas Logan Sr., 71
After an admirable and courageous battle with cancer, Duane Thomas Logan Sr. passed away peacefully in his home on the family ranch with his wife and family by his side. 
Born in Anaconda to Alvin Logan and Thelma Perkins on June 28, 1943, Duane spent his life in Anaconda. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1961 and immediately after graduating from Anaconda High School in 1962 left home and served onboard the USS Ranger. In 1964 he joined the Reserves and after returning to Anaconda he went to work at the Montana State Hospital. Within a year he met and married his soul mate of 49 years, Kathy Meehan. They were blessed with three children and have always been a very close family. Duane was honorably discharged from the military in 1967.
In the summer of 1966 he started with the Anaconda Copper Mining Company and was promoted to foreman within five years. After the company closed in 1980, he returned to the Montana State Hospital as a psych tech until he retired.
Known for his serious demeanor and extremely dry sense of humor, Duane was a resilient outdoorsman at heart. He was happiest fishing, regardless of the time of year, four-wheeling, gold panning, gardening, hunting, camping, hiking to as many mountain lakes as he could find, and spending time with his family either on the ranch or at the cabin. Not one for sitting still, Duane loved to walk everywhere and would often shed hunt. When he wasn’t walking, he was camped on the couch watching football. 
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert, his sister Barbara Archdale, and his grandson Nate Logan.
He is survived by his wife Kathy, his son Duane Jr. “Logie” (wife Connie, children Jason (wife Amanda, son Logan), Kristen, and Jake of Anaconda), his daughter Melissa Wolter (husband David, children Matthew and Nicholas of Missoula), and his youngest son Marty (wife Andrea, children Connor and Alivia of Helena), his sister Darlene Reichen (husband Norman, children Justin and Montana of Grand Junction, Colo.), nephew Robbie Moccasin of Great Falls, his brothers-in-law Pat Meehan (and family of Helena) and Tim Meehan (wife Mary and family of Lost Creek), sister-in-law Christina Post (husband John and family of Burley, Idaho), and his walking partners Winnie and Peaches.
Celebration of life will be Saturday January 31, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Racetrack Fire Hall at 6959 S. Frontage Road so please stop by and share a memory. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in his name to Camp Mak-A-Dream, the charity of your choice, or plant a tree in his honor.
Dad, at the Pearly Gates please make sure you put that finger down and knock before you go in. We love you to the moon and back, fish on.
Axelson Alternative Cremation is privileged to serve The Logan Family. 

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Vincent John Rogers
Vincent John Rogers, 88, went to join his wife, Marian on his birthday, January 1, 2015. He was born January 1, 1927 at Gold Creek, to John and Marguerite Rogers. He was the fifth of eight children. 
He attended school in Gold Creek and graduated from Powell County High School in Deer Lodge. He married Marian Mills in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho  in 1960. Marian predeceased him in 2008 after celebrating 48 years of marriage. 
Vincent was a carpenter by trade. Vincent and Marian spent many years traveling in their motorhome. They loved going for a ride in the mountains and picking huckleberries. 
Vincent was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, sisters, Josephine Mehr and Frances Lange, brothers, Albert, George and Tony. Vincent is survived by sisters, Veronica Rabel and Teresa Smith and many, many nieces and nephews. A special thank you to Harbor Crest Assisted Living staff. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 10 a.m. at Hennessey Funeral Home and Crematory, 1315 N. Pines Road, Spokane Valley,  with inurnment to follow at  Holy Cross Cemetery. To view Vincent’s online memorial please visit www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com. Services entrusted to Hennessey Funeral Home, Spokane Valley, Wash.

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