Terry Kent Botsford

Terry Kent Botsford, 75, of Frenchtown, passed away on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at Saint Patrick Hospital surrounded by his family, friends and the loving arms of the Lord.

He was born on December 3, 1941 in Moline, Illinois to Doug and Ruth (Ferguson) Botsford. Growing up as a young boy, he lived with his family in Coal Valley, Illinois on an apple orchard and was educated in the Orion Public Schools. While in high school, Terry was a member of the football and basketball teams. Terry then went on to graduate from the University of Illinois with a political science degree. He later attended the University of Montana Law School, was a member of Moot Court which received national honors and would then graduate in 1969.

On March 23, 1964, he married Lois (Stokes). The couple lived in Missoula, before making their final home in Frenchtown in 1974.

After 43 years of practice, Terry retired from his private law practice July 1, 2013. He felt honored and privileged to have served his clients for all those years.

Terry was a member of the Montana Bar Association, Missoula Downtown Lions Club and former President, Elder and Deacon at First Presbyterian Church, Sunday School Teacher, Frenchtown School Board and former Board Chairman, numerous Local Boards in Missoula, Frenchtown Track Timer and Frenchtown Football Chain Gang. He was also proud to have been an owner and part of the development group that built the Frenchtown Shopping Center in 1980.

He enjoyed the outdoors, Kintla Lake, painting, fishing, golfing, reading, music, playing bridge, but the most important of all to him was spending time with his family. Terry was a huge fan of the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves and Montana Grizzlies.

A loving husband, father and grandfather, Terry is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lois of Frenchtown; John, his son, and his wife Shelly of Bismarck, North Dakota; Patricia (Jones), his daughter, and her husband Chad of Puyallup, Washington; Michael, his son of Frenchtown. Terry is also survived by the lights of his life, his four granddaughters; McKayla, Madison, Lauren and Jessica. He also survived by his older brother, Bruce Botsford of Dillon and his family and his younger brother Randy Botsford of Missoula and his family.

They say old lawyers never die, they just lose their appeal. Terry doubted anyone can lose their appeal living in Montana – waking every day to a beautiful sunrise and going to sleep every night under a peaceful sunset.
Visitation will be on Thursday, January 19th from 5-7 PM at Garden City Funeral Home. Pastor Dan Cravy will be leading the Services on Friday the 20th, at 10 AM at the First Presbyterian Church located at 235 S 5th St W in Missoula. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Cemetery.

Special Thanks to the staff at Saint Patrick Hospital and Frenchtown Rural Fire Department for their professionalism, care and dignity they showed for Terry. The family is forever grateful.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Watson’s Children Shelter of Missoula.