CLIFFORD KREJCI obituary

RUDYARD - Clifford A. Krejci, 83, of Rudyard died Sunday, May 15, 2005, at the Liberty County Hospital in Chester from progressive lung disease.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Chester. Burial with military rites will follow at the Chester Cemetery.

Cliff was born Feb. 8, 1922, at Rudyard to Joseph and Emily (Tichey) Krejci. Cliff grew up and received his education in Rudyard and graduated from Rudyard High School in 1940. In his teens, he worked in the family service station and bulk plant.

Cliff was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1942. He attained the rank of Tech-4 and served in the Western Pacific Campaign during World War II. As the war wound down and the troops were demobilized, Cliff received his good conduct medal, victory medal and honorable discharge in 1945.

He returned to northern Montana and began working as a farm laborer. In 1947, Cliff took a job as a highway maintenance man for the state Department of Highways. In the late 1950s, he was promoted as field maintenance supervisor for the Chester district, which included Liberty and western Hill counties. He was in charge of the highway shop, equipment and road maintenance, including snow removal, patching, mowing, and upkeep of delineators and signage in his section of U.S. Highway 2.

Cliff met a Chester widow, Betty (Brandvold) Rockman. They were married on Dec. 8, 1961. That same year they built a home in Chester, where they raised Betty's four teenage sons and a new son of their own.

After 35 years of dedicated public service to the State of Montana, Cliff retired in 1982. The Krejcis continued to live in the Chester community. Cliff's wife, Betty, died in 1998. Cliff's health remained good until two years ago, when he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. Since then he had suffered from progressive lung disease, expecially the past six months.

His memberships included the V.F.W. and American Legion. During his high school years he was active in basketball and track. In later years, he enjoyed bowling in the Hi-Line leagues and dancing with Betty. As a hobby, he collected old coins. During his quiet time at home, Cliff liked to do crossword puzzles and read, especially local histories and the newspaper. His favorite television shows were "Jeopardy" and "The Wheel of Fortune." He also enjoyed watching the NFL and college football. His favorite college team was Alabama. Before his health failed, he took great pride in his yard and trees.

Cliff was a simple man who led a simple life and enjoyed being around people.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; brother, Ervin Krejci; sister, Geraldine Een, and stepson, Terry Rockman.

Survivors include his son, Jody Krejci of Parker, Colo.; stepsons, Rlynn Rockman of Chester, Bryce Rockman of Montgomery, Ala., and Ty Rockman of Great Falls; brother, Alvin Krejci of Rudyard; 12 grandchildren; numerous nephews and nieces; and his dog, "Bear."

Arrangements by Rockman Funeral Chapel, Chester.