GREGORY HENDERSON obituary

GRASS RANGE - Gregory "Buck" Joseph Henderson of Grass Range, 85, died Dec. 3, 2004, at a Billings hospital of natural causes after a lengthy illness.

A funeral service was held today at 10 a.m. in the Cloyd Chapel in Lewistown. A second service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in St. Jude's Catholic Church in Havre, with interment to follow at the Highland Cemetery.

Henderson was born Aug. 4, 1919, on a homestead at Warrick in the Bear Paw Mountains to Fred and Alice (Gregory) Henderson. He ranched in the Bear Paws until he retired and moved to the Lewistown and Grass Range area in 1990. He received his schooling in Warrick and graduated from Big Sandy High School.

On Oct. 25, 1939, he was united in marriage with Elaine Jean Hockett in Havre. They were married 54 years.

On Feb. 10, 1996, he married his loving caregiver, Mary "Betty" Munson, at Grass Range. He enjoyed his retirement years roping at many brandings at Lewistown and Bear Paw ranches. He also enjoyed camping, fishing, old-time fiddlers' jam sessions, rodeos and hunting. He dearly loved his family and friends.

Henderson was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Alice Henderson; wife, Elaine; brother, Ira Henderson; son, Gregory Jr.; daughter, Mary Louise; grandsons, Larry Sluggett, Jeremy Henderson and Wesley Pursley; great-granddaughters, Kayla McCommon and Courtney Taylor.

Survivors include his wife, Betty of Grass Range; daughters, Sharon (Clint) Martin of Lewistown, Carol (Lester) Sluggett of Roy, Cathy Henderson of Lewistown, Linda (John) Warburton of Havre, Rita (Ernie) Andrews of Conrad and Cindy Henderson of Helena; sons, Gerald Henderson of Havre and James (Reatha) Henderson of Warrick; sister, Alice Haburchak of Great Falls; sister-in-law, Patsy (Ira) Henderson of Lewistown; stepchildren, Larry (Jeanette) Munson of Great Falls, Gene (Tamzin) Munson of Bozeman and Beth (John) Rader of Kalispell; 34 grandchildren; 64 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Memorials may be made to the Grass Range Ambulance Fund and can be left at the Cloyd Funeral Home.

Arrangements are by Cloyd Funeral Home in Lewistown.