Obituary: Douglas Donald Golden

Douglas Donald Golden, 64, “went to the Lord with the angels” on March 18, 2016, with his family by his side.

Doug was born on Sept. 1, 1951, to Donald Lloyd and Mary Lou Golden at Secret Heart Hospital in Havre. Doug was oldest of the three children, including Karen and Jim “Pete.” Doug was raised in Havre. He spent many summers working on a farm for Charles Manual ‘til he hired out on the railroad when he was 18 years old.

He started out as an engineer service, then a year later became an engineer just like his father and grandfather did. Most railroaders remember Doug as Black Bart or Douggie.

A year later he married Joyce A. West. Together they were blessed with five children, Michael, Cory, Heather, Donald “Donnie” and Rachel Golden. He loved to go camping with the family and the children. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting and snowmobiling in Havre. Doug also liked to watch the children play ball and taking Michael, Cory and Donnie hunting and fishing.

Later in 1989 Doug moved his family to Whitefish to work on the helper for BNSF from Whitefish to Essex. Doug joined the Glacier Twins board in 1991. He loved working on the field and doing fundraisers for the Glacier Twins. He became president of the Glacier Twins in 1993. Doug liked working with Rita Hanson and best friend Kendall Slaybaugh. He met new friends on and off the field. He resigned in 2007.

Doug went to work on the work train in 1998. Working out of Essex, he loved working on the mountain, seeing the wildlife and taking pictures. He loved working with his crew members up there on the mountain. Doug still liked going camping and fishing when he moved over on this side of the mountains.

In 2002 Doug and Joyce divorced. Doug married Donna Stratton in February 2007. Doug retired from the railroad the summer of 2007. He had worked 38 years for BNSF Railroad.

Doug is survived by his wife, Donna; and his five children, Michael of Havre, Cory of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Heather of Hayden, Idaho, Rachel of Missoula, and Donnie of Coeur d’Alene; his mother, Mary Lou Golden, of Havre; his brother, Pete, and his wife, Karen Golden, of Havre; his sister, Karen, and her husband, George Green, of Columbia Falls; two stepchildren, Tara and her husband Tyler Kaber of Columbia Falls, and Casey Stratton of Kalispell; five stepgrandchildren, Kaden and Makenna Kaber, Ava Stratton, Tucker and Wyatt Stratton. Doug loved teaching the grandchildren the things of life. He is also survived by one niece Tiffany, and one nephew Kevin Golden; also numerous cousins.

Doug was informed that he was being blessed with a granddaughter from Donnie. Doug got to see and hold his granddaughter Finley Rae Golden on March 6, 2016.

Doug was preceded in death by his father, Donald Lloyd Golden.

Viewing will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, and noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at Columbia Mortuary, 1010 4th Ave. W., Columbia Falls. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at Columbia Mortuary. Burial will follow at Woodland Cemetery in Columbia Falls. There will be a reception at the Eagles at 1640 Highway 2, Columbia Falls, after the burial.

“God Bless you, Doug. Rest in peace — Your loving family.”