On August 8, a long-time cowboy, Cliff Dolatta, passed away at Friendship Villa at the age of 99.
Cliff was born May 26, 1919 to Raymond J. and Elsie Dolatta in Terry. Cliff liked to tell that he was born at a midwife house 2 houses down from where he eventually made his home in town. He was the third son after Adrian (Scorio), and Raymond H. with a sister, Lillie, arriving 9 years later.
He spent all of his 99 years calling Prairie County home. As a young man, Cliff worked numerous jobs including: herding horses for CBC, breaking horses and working for various ranchers, working at the elevator, trucking grain and cattle, and delivering block ice in town.
He married Gene Ross on October 5, 1947 and took over the ranch he was raised on. They had 3 children: Nancy (Butch) Howard, Robert (Cathie) Dolatta, and Paula (Dennis) Bedosky. In his early married years, he mined coal, moved dirt with heavy equipment, sheared sheep, and worked at the Miles City Sales Yard along with ranch work. Cliff particularly enjoyed roping and roped at many brandings and also liked to hunt and pack in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
Cliff and Gene moved into the town of Terry, retiring from ranching in 1975. He bought the dray (freight) business and went to work at Buffalo Rapids Irrigation Project doing ditch maintenance. After a few years, he worked for the Prairie County Road Department. Some of his greatest stories were of plowing snow during the winters of 1977/1978 and 1978/1979.
Cliff and Gene enjoyed many Montana fishing trips in their motor home and spent one winter in it in Arizona. They also took an extended vacation traveling as far East as Virginia visiting family and friends along the way. This was a big trip for a country boy! After the loss of his wife in June 2008, Cliff lived independently at his home in Terry for as long as he could. Nearly getting to celebrate his 99th birthday there. He enjoyed having visitors come by the house and getting to reminisce about old times in great detail and was able to recall names or dates.
Cliff is survived by his 3 children, 6 grandchildren: Wade (Bobbi) George, Dean (Kim) Dolatta, Cami (John) Graham, Tisha (Tyler) Larsen, Todd (Tia) Bedosky and Becky (Jeremy) Hart and 9 great-grandchildren: Jake & Garrett George, Tyann and Trey Graham, Raelynn Dolatta, Shellbie & Kenan Larsen & Grant and Lexi Hart. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brothers, and sister.
Memorial services will be held on Monday, August 13, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. Interment will follow in the Prairie County Cemetery in Terry. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to a local charity of one’s choice.
Maxine Manthei says
dear Nancy Wade Dean and your family.. so sorry to know the Clifford had passed.. you have my most sincere sympathy..love Aunt Maxine Baker Manthei
Dylan Clarkson says
Dear Wade, Bobbi and Family,
Our sincerest condolences to all of you at this difficult time.
Dylan Clarkson & your Pioneer Bank & Trust Family
Bonnie Russiff Schott says
To all the Dolatta family – sorry to hear. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Take care, remember the happy memories and cherish the good times… With deepest sympathy, – Bonnie Russiff Schott
Curt and Kate Terrett says
So sorry for your loss
Diane Hubing Dresback says
Nancy, Robert, Paula & families: My thoughts are with you at the loss of your Dad. He was always so fun to be around.
Bill Holliday says
Nancy, Robert and Paula, so sorry for the loss of your dad. He was a great man whom I looked up to and respected. His fun loving escapades will always be in my memories, such as the time out antelope hunting with Robert when Cliff roped an antelope dragging it up to for a shot. He was running them right over top of us. Many memories I will cherish for ever.
Deb Bronson says
Nancy and family, we are sorry for your loss. You are in our hearts and our prayers. Love Richard and Debbi.
Bev McLean McNurlin says
Robert and family…..sorry to read you have lost your dad….a life well lived, for sure! Cherish all those memories….
Chris and Diana Elwood says
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of this good man and cowboy. Our prayers and thoughts are with all the family.
Cindi Byron says
Nancy and family. Sorry for your loss.
Kendra Morse says
My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. Cherish the memories you have of your dad and all the good times had with family.
Cheryl Stevenson says
So sorry for your loss of a wonderful, caring man! Prayers to all??
Jean Trask Brown says
The last of the old cowboys has left us. The stories he could tell, and the things he could remember. If ever I needed to know a bit of history I could ‘Just ask Cliff’. Sometimes I wondered if he always told the truth, but nobody cared. He will be missed.
Jennifer Johnson says
So Sorry for your loss you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.