Memorial Service: Friday, June 8, 2007 at 3:00 pm at Stevenson's and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth.

Born May 12, 1936 in White River, SD on his Mothers birthday and what a present he was at 13 pounds! Earl was raised and went to school in White River, SD, home of the Tigers. During his senior year in 1955, Earls basketball team took the state championship. Prior to graduation, Earl helped his Dad and brother, Bob, move houses, haul cattle, sheep and anything they could in his Dads semi-truck. After a short time in the Army, Earl received a medical discharge, returned home and picked up the construction career that he had begun at age 16.Earl traveled around the state of South Dakota working on various projects including the Oahe Dam. Earls next stop was in Iowa and then on to Minnesota where he went to work for Barton Construction as Dirt Superintendent. As Dirt Superintendent, Earl worked on various interstates including a major section through downtown Minneapolis.Earls work with Barton brought him to Eastern Montana in the fall of 1968. In the Spring of 1969, Earl began working on the Interstate between Rosebud and Hathaway. During this time he met Anne Smith Pattison. Earl decided to end his long stint of bachelorhood on November 24, 1970 when he married Anne and her five kids. Earl and Anne started their marriage in Miles City, where they enjoyed the birth of a new son, Jeffrey Allen.

Upon the completion of the interstate, Earl as Dirt Superintendent, worked with Doug Feakes, Head Mechanic and Bob Finch, Equipment Superintendent, organized the sale of Bartons equipment. Now that Earl was a husband and a father, he could no longer travel the country working on interstates. He took a job with Ferguson Construction and settled down in Rosebud. Earl and Anne were once again blessed when their daughter, Tara Marie, was born.

Earl finished his career at Western Energy in Colstrip, where he retired in 1998. After retirement, Earl enjoyed spending time with his kids and grandkids; fishing and also discovered he had fondness for yard work. Of course even after retirement, Earl continued to move dirt and push coal with Harry Sclenker and the rest of his friends, only now from a stool at the Howdy.Earl lived his life his way and was always a true friend, a good husband and a caring father. To many, he was simply known as Big E. He worked hard and played hard, but never mixed the two. He will certainly be missed. Earl passed on June 1, 2007 at home with his family. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bob Hix and a sister Onie Boswell.

Earl is survived by his wife Anne of 36 years, his children Larry Pattison (Mary) of Colstrip, Greg Pattison (Patty) of Hardin, Ross Pattison (Ellen) of Hardin, Jeff Hix (Karen) of Bozeman, Tracy Pattison of Broadus, Patti Jo Decena (Paul) of San Jose, California and Tara Hix Zard of Forsyth; brother Leonard Hix, his sisters, Shirley Schnaubel, Judy Brickman, Bev Nordstrom and Debbie Eckhart. He is also survived by fifteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the NRROC for Meadowlark House, P.O. Box 369, Billings, Montana 59103-0369Condolences can be sent to the family by visitingwww.stevensonandsons.com. A Memorial Service will be held onFriday, June 8, 2007 at 3:00 pm at Stevenson's and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth is in charge of these arrangements.