Brian Simkins

ST. REGIS - Brian Keith Simkins, 48, of St. Regis, passed away Saturday, January. 31, 2009, at his home in St. Regis following a battle with pancreatic cancer.





He was born June 29, 1960, in Superior to Gene and Gwen Simkins. As a child, Bud grew up with his two brothers and two sisters in St. Regis and Superior. While attending Superior High School, he was an active member of the track, basketball and debate teams as well as a saxophone player in the band. It was said that one of his mother’s proudest moments was when he played the “Pomp and Circumstance” solo for the senior graduating class when he was only a freshman. Bud graduated from Superior High School in 1978.





At the time when most of his fellow classmates were just starting their careers, he already had a huge head start. Bud began working with his family at their Cedar Shake Mill at the age of 8 until he was 13, when he started logging with his father Gene. After graduation, Bud continued logging, working for Varco in the Cedars for the next four years until 1982 when he and his brothers moved to Lodi, Calif., where they started a Grapevine furniture business.




































In 1990, Bud started his long journey as a lineman, traveling as far and wide as Washington to Virginia, Nebraska, Arizona and California, during which time he also attended Texas A&M, California Apprenticeship Council and ABCI where he received his certifications for Power Line Technician, Line Erector and Crane Operator. However, Bud never lost site of his true roots, when in 2006 he moved back to Montana to spend time with his family.





The greatest joy in life came when his daughter Shelby Bonita was born January 2008 and in December of that year he married his longtime sweetheart Michelle Schober.





In Bud’s spare time he enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time with his family. He was deeply loved by both his family and friends and will be greatly missed. Bud will always be remembered as “Living Life Large.”





He was preceded in death by his mother, Gwen Weaver.





Survivors include his wife, Michelle and daughter Shelby of St. Regis; father, Gene Simkins of Lozeau; brothers, Ben (Paula), Gary (Teresa) of Lozeau; sisters, Becky (Dale) Magone of Missoula and Bonnie (Larry) Mitchell of Kingman, Ariz.; as well as nine niece and nephews; and 10 great-nieces and nephews.





A celebration of his life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the St. Regis Community Center followed by a get-together and potluck at the Travelers Inn Bar starting at 5 p.m., music to follow.





An educational fund has been set up for his daughter Shelby by Denny and Cammie Brockway at the Wells Fargo Bank in Superior.
Read Brian Simkins's Obituary and Guestbook.