GORDON AZURE obituary

HARLEM - Gordon Azure, 74, of Harlem died early Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2004, at Benefis Healthcare in Great Falls from complications of cancer treatment.

A funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday in St. Thomas Catholic Church with military burial honors at the Harlem Cemetery. Rosary will be recited Sunday at 7 p.m. in St. Thomas Catholic Church.

Gordon was born on Oct. 27, 1929, in Dodson to Frank and Talia (Trottier) Azure. He attended school in Harlem and Rocky Boy. He enlisted in the Marine Corp in 1946, then served seven years in the

Army, during which time he was stationed in Korea and Okinawa.

Gordon married Betty Ann Warwick on Aug. 15, 1958, in Havre. Gordon

worked at Tubbs Oil Company soon after returning from the military. He also worked delivering milk to businesses and doorsteps for Vita Rich Dairy. He worked as a cook and supply officer for the Indian Health Service in Fort Belknap until he retired in 1989.

In 1968, Gordon received his GED. He served on the Harlem School Board for 12 years, volunteered as an election judge for many years and was on the election board for the Little Shell of Montana.

Gordon was an excellent cook and amateur artist. His interests included music and regional and Metis history. His hobbies included collecting, woodworking and making toys.

Survivors include his wife, Ann Azure of Harlem; sons, Gordon Azure of Spokane, Wash., and Thomas (Angela) Azure of Helena; daughters, Nona Longknife of Hays, Jacquie (George) Richman of Anaconda and Linda Azure of Missoula; brothers, Bob (Mona) Azure of Butte, Frank "Pockets" (Sharon) Azure of Hardin and Alan (Peggy) Azure of Helena; sisters, Pearl Swan of Havre and Iona (Chuck) Schilling of Harlem; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren.

Gordon was preceded in death by his sisters, Anna Fetter and Ruby Romero; brother, Frank Azure; grandson, Little Wolf Main; and parents, Frank and Talia Azure.

Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.