John Robert "Bob" Mccafferty Jr.

John Robert “Bob” McCafferty Jr, our beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend passed away peacefully with his family by his side on July 22, 2022.  He was 91 years old.  We find comfort knowing that he was at peace and went to be with the Lord as his family shared and remembered stories of a life well-lived. Bob was born on September 21, 1930, to John R. Sr and E. Lourena McCafferty, in Great Falls, MT.  He was the second of three children. The family ranched south of Belt in the Tiger Butte area.  Bob and his siblings began school at the one room Tiger Butte schoolhouse, and the family later purchased a house in Belt, where the children would finish their school years.  It was during school that Bob learned to play the saxophone.  This would become a lifelong hobby that he was proud of.  He married the love of his life, Jean Gillette, on September 23, 1950.  Their love and dedication to one another will forever be the standard and example that his family strives to achieve in their own relationships.  Bob and Jean started their life together ranching near his parents’ home place.  It was the perfect setting to raise their four children, John, James, Cynthia, and Joel.

Bob worked hard on the ranch all his life.  It was a life he loved, and it suited him well.  It has been noted that Bob was a cowboy who was “never short on courage.” The stories he had and the lessons he learned are things that his family will always remember and cherish.  Quitting and giving up were not part of his character.  His children were taught this, and they taught it to their children.  If you started it, you finished it. Cattle drives, no matter how long or short, were always better with Bob around.  Later in life, he enjoyed hitching up the team and bringing his wagon along on cattle drives and in parades.  The Belt rodeo parade on Father’s Day weekend was something that he and his entire family looked forward to every year.  Riding around town in the buggy with Bob was the perfect way to celebrate Father’s Day for the McCaffertys.

Bob’s blessings and joys were many, but his proudest accomplishment was his family.  He was genuinely excited about anything that his family was involved in or wanted to talk to him about.  Nothing was ever too small.  He and Jean were always first in line to support and cheer each of us on.  He was the best father and grandfather you could ask for.  He was a confidant, a protector, and the funniest man to be around.  The life of the party.  He loved to celebrate life by playing games (especially 500 or horseshoes), laughing, dancing, swimming, horseback riding, taking his loved ones out to eat, and traveling to support us in every event.  He made certain that we knew we were loved and that he would always be there for us.  And that’s a fact.

Most importantly, Bob was a man of God.  He loved Jesus with his whole heart and was happy to share that relationship with his friends and family.   He could often be heard humming, whistling or singing hymns. The line “I’m not discouraged, I’m heaven bound” from his favorite, Mansion Over the Hilltop, shows he knew this life was, but a blink of an eye and that eternity awaits us.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Norman and Kay Gillette, sister and her husband, Betty Jean and Wilfred Miller, and brother and his wife, Calvin and Elaine McCafferty.  He is survived by his loving wife, Jean.  His children, John (Julia), Jim (Ginger), Cindy (Burk), and Joel (Cindy); 10 grandchildren,; 15 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Burial will be 12:00 PM, Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Highland Cemetery with a funeral service to follow at the Belt Community Church at 2:00 PM. Donations in Bob’s memory can be made to the Belt Ambulance fund or the Belt Food Pantry.  Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.OConnorFuneralHome.com.