JOSEPH URICK obituary

MILES CITY - Joseph John "Joe" Urick, 84, of Miles City died on April 14, 2005 surrounded by the love of his family and friends.

Joe was born Dec. 4, 1920, to Ana (Legan) and Matt Urick, in Great

Falls.

He attended the Burlingame Grade School, 1

miles from their ranch, which was up hill both ways. Joe graduated from Belt Valley High School in 1938 and after working two years on the family ranch, he went on to college at Montana State University in Bozeman. After a three-year hitch in the U.S. Army Air Force, he graduated from MSU with a degree in animal husbandry in 1947. In 1948, he accepted a job at the North Montana Branch Experiment Station at Fort Assinniboine near Havre. It was there that Joe met his soon-to-be wife, Marge Anderson-Bradley, who was his secretary.

Joe and Marge were married Nov. 29, 1950, in a small church in Belt. In 1961, the family moved to the U.S. Range Experiment Station in Miles City, where they had made their home since, raising their family. Joe was very proud of his involvement with the famous Line One Herefords. Joe and Marge moved out to Signal Butte in March of 1977, which became the gathering spot for many holidays. Joe retired from Fort Keogh in 1989. In 1990, they moved into town and enjoyed having a multitude of family and friends constantly filling the house with laughter, memories and love.

Joe loved working in his beautiful garden and lawn, and enjoyed photography. He loved woodworking, and gave away countless benches, shelves and cupboards to friends and family. Joe's latest enjoyment was the computer, e-mailing family and friends.

Survivors include his children, Patricia (Bob) Fuhrman of Richland, Wash., Joan Bradley of Olympia, Wash., Joseph "Jay" (Connie) Urick of Hilger, Mary (Fred) Wambolt III of Miles City, Steve (Jackie) Urick of Stanford, Kathy (Rob) Bird of Bismarck, N.D., and Carol (Don) Switzer of Richey; sisters, Josie Inman, Mary Patton and Louise (Ray) Buley; brother-in-law, "Uncle Bob" Robert O'Clock; sister-in-law, Vivian Urick; 17 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Marge, on Oct. 1, 2004; parents; and siblings, Anna, Polly, Helen, Matt, Frank and Tony.

Visitation was scheduled for Monday at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A vigil service was held Monday evening at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A Mass of Christian burial was scheduled for 11 a.m. today at the Sacred Heart Church in Miles City. A private family burial was to follow in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery with full military rites provided by Post No. 1579 Honor Guard of Miles City.

Memorials may be made in Joe's name to the Holy Rosary Hospice, 2600 Wilson Street, Miles City, MT 59301 or to the charity of one's choice.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting http://www.stevensonandsons.com.