Garner Loomis

Visitation: Monday, April 27, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth

Funeral Service: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth

Burial: will be held at a later date

Garner Ray Loomis, age 65 of Forsyth, MT passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at the Rosebud Health Care Center in Forsyth.

Garner was born March 20, 1944 the son of Leal B. and Delora Loomis in Great Falls, MT. He attended schools in Butte, MT and joined the US Navy in 1961 and served until 1965 on the USS Heavy Cruiser of Los Angeles. He received his GED while in the Navy.He was united in marriage to Pennie Shanklin on November 21, 1966 in Coeur dAlene, Idaho. To this union three children were born. After his discharge, he was employed at the Anaconda Company in Butte for 10 years. Garner attended saddle school in Whitewood, SD. He then went to work in Colstrip for Montana Power Co. and later PPL Montana until his retirement in 2006 with 30 years of service.Garner enjoyed many activities, including hiking, canoeing, carpentry, and bird watching, but he was most proud of his leatherwork and saddle making. He became a Wheel Wright and always planned to build his own wagon and use the wheels he made on it. He also loved helping others, and worked many hours building a bike and walking trail in Colstrip, and improving 4H facilities at the fairgrounds.

Garner was preceded in death by his father, Leal B. Loomis; his mother, Delora Loomis Silk; his sister, Sheran Holm; and his infant son, Leal Herbert Loomis.

He is survived by his wife, Pennie of Forsyth; his son, Rex (Jen) Loomis of Bismarck, ND; his daughter Melanie (Randy) DeJong of Colton, SD; his brothers, Hal (Lenie) Loomis of Deer Lodge, MT and Buck (Ann) Loomis of Butte, MT; his sisters, Marzita (Whitey) Sundet of Darby, MT, Hazel (Paul) Freedman of Dewey, MT and Alta (Dana) Miller of Dewey, MT; his grandsons, Jake and Caleb Loomis of Larimore, ND and R.J DeJong of Colton, SD, and granddaughter, Taylor DeJong of Colton, SD. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews; many dear and cherished friends, and his wonderful dog and hiking partner, Patch.