Fred A. Fitch

Visitation: Friday, November 23, 2007 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Jordan.

Funeral Service: Saturday, November 24, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the VFW Hall in Jordan.

Interment: Steve Forks Cemetery at Sand Springs

Fred A. Fitch, age 90, of Jordan passed away on Tuesday, November 21, 2007 at his home.

Fred was born on November 18, 1917 in Gillette, Wyoming, the second of six children born to Glen and Mary (Sutherland) Fitch. Fred attended high school in Gillette, Wyoming where he played basketball and football. Fred entered the military service in 1941 and married Pauline Pat Eskew the same year. When the war began, he served in North Africa and Italy until his discharge in 1945. Following his discharge, Fred and Pat ranched near Gillette before moving to Grand Junction, Colorado. While living in Colorado, Fred was the first person in the region to artificially inseminate dairy cattle. However, dairy cattle and irrigation were not to his liking so he looked north to Montana. In January of 1951, Fred moved his family to the ranch southwest of Jordan, Montana where he began his sheep business. The sheep industry became his lifelong career. He said the sheep allowed him to have a few cows.

For many years Fred served on the board for the Garfield County Wool Pool which included a trip back east to promote Garfield County Wool. He was active in the Montana Wool Growers Association, serving on several advisory boards and was a member of the MontanaStockgrowers Association for over 50 years. Fred was also very active in 4-H in the 50s, 60s and 70s. He served on the local school board for over 20 years and was a life member of the VFW post 7886 in Jordan.

Fred is survived by his children: Sue Muri of Miles City, MT; Monte (Dianna) of Jordan, MT; James Pete of Gillette, WY; Sally Ness-Cline (Curt) of Billings, MT; and Robert (Cindie) of Worden, MT; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren; two brothers: Bill (Helen) of Gillette, WY; Bob of Torrington, WY and a sister, Phoebe (George)Gligoria of Sheridan, WY; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Pat in 2003, a son John, a brother Glenn, a sister Mary Gay and two grandchildren: Ashley and Justin.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 23, 2007 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Jordan. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 24, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the VFW Hall in Jordan. Interment will follow in the Steve Forks Cemetery at Sand Springs. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the VFW Hall or to the Jordan Ambulance Fund.