George McCallum

Funeral Service: Prairie Community Church in Terry, Montana on Friday, November 3, 2006 at 11:00AM

Memorial Service: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at the Plains Methodist Church at 11:00AM

Interment: Plains Cemetery

George Walter McCallum 87, passed away of a heart attack at his home in Terry, Montana on October 30, 2006.

George was born on July 8, 1919 in Conrad, Montana, the eldest of eight children born to Warren Daniel and Jessie Gwen (Blackshaw) McCallum. He attended schools in western Montana and graduated from Thompson Falls High School.On August 10, 1943 he married the love-of-his-life, Verdie Nadine Armstrong in Reno, Nevada. To this union were born four daughters; Janice, Anita, Glenda and Deborah.George and Verdie made their home in western Montana, settling in Sanders County for the next 46 years. During those years they ranched, owned and operated McCallum Realty, Plains Cable Television and were involved in various aspects of Christmas tree production. Upon retiring, George and Verdie made their home in Helena from 1993 to 2003 at which time they moved to Terry. In retirement, they spent many happy winters in Arizona where they enjoyed the sunshine and made many special friends.

George dedicated a major portion of his life to public service, serving as Chairman for both the Sanders County Fair Board and Hot Springs School District Board of Trustees. He represented the northwestern portion of Montana for 18 years in the Montana State Senate from 1970 to 1988. During his tenure in the Senate he served as Chairman of the Taxation, Local Government and Education Committees. George was elected President Pro Tempore by the Senate membership for the 1987 Legislative Session. Throughout his life his passion was his love for his wife of 63 years, Verdie and his family and friends. He achieved many things in his lifetime and was known to be hone'st, fair and a man of his word. George was a Master Mason with the Ponemah Masonic Lodge #63 in Plains for 47 years and a 20 year member of the Scottish Rites.


He is survived by his wife Verdie of Terry, daughters Janice Jennings of Terry, Anita (Jim) Oppedahl of Helena, Glenda (Chris) Ueland of Terry and Deborah (Ken) Swingley of Helena, eight grandchildren and twenty-five great grandchildren, sister Marion Kelly of Kalispell and numerous nephews and nieces.

George was preceded in death by his parents and six of his siblings.

Services will be held at Prairie Community Church in Terry, Montana on Friday, November 3, 2006 at 11:00AM. A memorial service and internment will follow in Plains, Montana on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at the Plains Methodist Church at 11:00AM. Condolences may be sent to the family by visitingwww.stevensonandsons.com. If friends should desire, memorials can be made to the Shriners Childrens Hospital or the charity of one's choice.