Harry Love

Harry Love, 81, born in Billings on Nov. 15, 1933, passed away at his home in Superior on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014. He began a new adventure on to a world free of pain and confusion. He will be met by his parents, Charles and Grace Love. Standing by their side will be his brothers, Ray, Arlis, Chuck, Bill, Ernest, Jack, Dave and Bud. Sisters June and Doris will be nearby. They will be reminiscing about their growing up in Arlee on a small ranch, walking or riding their horses to the schoolhouse the distance different in each telling. Stories will be told about hunts in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, cattle drives, rodeo events and the hell-raising done by all the boys on Friday and Saturday nights.

Harry went into the Navy at age 17 and served on the USS Essex. After his honorable discharge, he returned to the Arlee area and did ranch work for a while. He worked on the Libby Dam, drove a wrecker, delivered milk in the Missoula area, drove stock cars and installed state highway culverts until he found his calling in bridge construction, which he did for 26 years, earning the nicknames "Dirty Harry" and "Hollerin' Harry." He was disabled by a job-related injury in 1988.

Harry married Lillian Newton in 1956 and although that relationship did not last, a stepdaughter, Geraldine, and three wonderful sons were born, Mark, Harry Jr. and William "Jay." Harry later married Linda Johnson of Superior. Stepdaughter Rebecca joined the family and they all moved to Superior in 1964. That marriage ended in 1970. In 1973, Harry met Rose Duncan, who fell in love with the ready-made family. Forty-one years later, Rose was still by his side to see him off on his last journey.

Harry worked hard and played even harder all of his life. Rose often said that his buddies saw more of him than she did. Harry spent time with his family and friends, water skiing, skeet shooting, horseback riding, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, hunting, fishing and golfing. Labor Day weekend for many years was reserved for the Demo Derby at the Plains fair, where he and his friends entered the bad-to-the-bones cars they had spent long hours building. He loved the parade through town, where he could throw candy to the kids, and the parties with the pit crew back at camp.

Harry is survived by his sons, Mark Love (Donna), Harry Love Jr. and Jay Love (Margret), all of Gillette, Wyoming; Rose Duncan and daughter Amberlyn Bruning of Superior; sister, Laura Jean Holt of Post Falls, Idaho; grandchildren, Deeha, Mandy, Amber, Charlie, Annie, Amy, Joni, Johnny, Jenni, Michael, Chelsea and Sierra; great-grandchildren, Ridge, Breanna, Tia, Brayden, Kayandra, Coil, Tucker, Clancy, James, Orion, Cheyenne, Aurora Rose, Gavin and Leneah; grandchildren in his heart, Dawn, Allie, Trinity and Brandon; and numerous nieces, nephews and their extended families.

Cremation and Burial Society of the Rockies in Missoula is in charge of final arrangements. A celebration of life will be held at 4 p.m Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at the Mineral County 4-H building in Superior at the fairgrounds. A potluck is planned with live music. An Irish wake will follow at a location to be announced at the celebration. The family asks that instead of flowers that you dress casual and bring your Harry stories to be videotaped to preserve the essence of this true character to provide memories for his great-grandchildren.
Read Harry Love's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.