Gary Buel Ferree

Gary Buel Ferree, 78, of Great Falls passed away at him home Saturday, July 13, 2013 of natural causes. A memorial service will be held Monday, July 22, 2013 at Redeemer Lutheran Church at 2 pm. Cremation has taken place under the direction of O’Connor Funeral Home. Gary was born November 1, 1934, to Buel and Virginia Ferree in Landusky, MT. The family later moved to Chinook where he graduated from high school. After graduation, he joined the Army National Guard. In 1956 he married Ethel Bratrold and went full time in the military. He was stationed in Germany as a radio operator. He also got his amateur radio operators license in 1956. His call sign was W7DEO. Upon returning to the states he worked for the state on a highway survey crew and was a mechanic for Buttreys and Rice Motors. He spent 13 years at Malmstrom Air Force Base as a civil servant. He then retired and moved to the cabin outside of Wolf Creek. They lived there for 25 years before returning to Great Falls due to health issues. Gary is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ethel Ferree of Great Falls; daughter Shelia Stone of Great Falls; grandson Daniel Stone of Great Falls; sister Joyce Kaul of Chinook; nephew Greg Hoskinson; and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson Sean Ferree; and son Kirk Ferree.