George Porter Shy, age 86, earned his wings the morning of April 26, 2019. George passed away peacefully of natural causes, comforted by family and staff at the Morning Star Senior Living Facility in Billings, MT.
George was born January 9, 1933, to William “Dud” Shy and Mae Rose Moore Shy. George grew up on the family ranch at Otter Creek near Ashland, MT. He attended grade school at Willow Crossing near the family ranch. George began operating the family ranch alongside his mother at the age of 15, after the passing of his father, while still earning his high school diploma at Custer County District High School in 1950. On January 26, 1957 George married Eva Rose Howard. Together they raised four children: Shannon, Dudley, Stewart & Jayme along with hereford cattle and registered quarter horses on the Shy Ranch.
George was involved in the community in many ways. He was a member of the Miles City PCA Board for many years, the Stacey Roping Club, the Range Riders Museum Board and 4-H, to name a few. In 1998, George and Eva Rose sold the Otter Creek Ranch and moved to Belle Fourche, SD where they continued ranching operations. They also began to enjoy spending a few months out of the winter in Arizona. Eva Rose passed away on June 7, 2003. George married Beverly Ames in August of 2006. They spent summers in Belle Fourche, SD and their winters in Mesa, Arizona. Together, they enjoyed 11 years of travels and adventures. In January, 2017, George moved to Morning Star Senior Living in Billings, MT to be closer to his family.
George is survived by Beverly Shy of Mesa, AZ; his four children: Shannon (Tom) Lund of Kalispell, MT; Dudley (Dana) Shy of Billings, MT; Stewart Shy of Belle Fourche, SD and Jayme (Trae) Wilder of Billings, MT; his sister Eunice “Jimmie” Kimp of Dillon, MT; five grandchildren: Whitney (Colin) Pauley, Ashley (Andy Payton) Lund, Logan Shy, Gavin and Grady Wilder; two great grandchildren: Hayden & Sloan Pauley, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. George was preceded in death by his wife Eva Rose Shy; two sisters: Rose Marie “Mickey” Phillips Howard and Margaret “Shorty” Howard.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 with the family receiving guests from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City, MT. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Rite of Committal will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Range Riders Museum, 435 Interstate 94 Business, Miles City, MT 59301. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday April 30, 2019
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday May 1, 2019
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
120 N Montana Ave
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rite of Committal
Wednesday May 1, 2019
Custer County Cemetery
Cemetery Rd.
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday April 30, 2019
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday May 1, 2019
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
120 N Montana Ave
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rite of Committal
Wednesday May 1, 2019
Custer County Cemetery
Cemetery Rd.
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Dee says
I am very sorry to hear about your loss. I offer my condolences to you and your family. May all of your cherished memories bring you joy and comfort. God also will comfort you by his Word the Bible. ( 2Corinthians 1:3,4, Revelation 21:4) You and your family are in my prayers.
Otto H. Achenbach says
Rest in peace George. Even today, I can remember the summer of 1958< I would have been going into the 9th grade, when I went to the ranch and worked for George for the summer. The two of us put up somewhere around 7,000 bales of hey, I was the kid from Pocatello, George did the mowing, did not want me to drive off into the creek and mess up his Ford tractor, then I did the raking with the John Deer, single wheel, I think Model "B" pulling the trip rope to build the windrow. It has to be perfect for George, he did not want to wind all over the field chasing the windrow. Then he would do the bailing and then I learned what it was like to work hard. He would pull the slip behind the John Deer "A", I would ride on the slip, hook in each hand, and this was after he showed me what to do, I'm thinking hah, how hard can that be. He pulled alongside the first bale for me, I set my hook and was promptly yanked off of the slip. George stopped, he was laughing so hard I could not understand what he was trying to tell me. I had to pull the bale back to the slip, set it, I found out George believed in bales that were not under 100 lbs, he then gave me a lesson on grabbing and getting them onto the slip. A little later on, I also learned from him how to pay attention for rattlesnakes on top of the bale, alongside it or inside the bale because it got caught when the bale was being created.
Found memories, I think probably the best summer I ever had, I learned what true physical work was, I also learned that Monday through Saturday, we worked, then on Sunday we would drive a 100 miles with the horse trailer to go back in the hills for a roping get together. I can remember being in town, people would not drive across town to visit someone for their birthday.
Thank you George Shy for the memories.
Sue Tarter says
Dear Duddly, Shannon, Stewart and Jamie, so sorry to hear of George’s passing. He was a tough character and a good man. Hugs to all of you and your families.
Sue Tarter
Rod and Valli Helstad says
Valli and I met George and Bev shortly after we relocated to Spearfish in 2011. We enjoyed his wisdom and his humor. He told me once he was the 2nd best cowboy in Montana. He did not know who was number one, but he was sure there was some cowboy better than him. When we went to the ranch he told me they were always a mile from water, whether you were walking to it or digging for it. I can only imagine what a character he was in his younger years. We thoroughly enjoyed George and Bev when we were able to get together.
Condolences to the family. RIP George
Rod and Valli Helstad, Spearfish SD
Dallas and Karen Gaskill says
Dearest Shy family, We want to offer you our love and prayers. What a great and wonderful guy your dad was. We all have so many wonderful memories of him. Heaven has gained another great cowboy! Condolences to all of you.
Stephanie Wallace says
Dear Shy Family,
Our sincere condolences. May the fond memories and wonderful stories you hear and share this week help you during this difficult time.
Love,
Stephanie, Todd and Samantha Wallace
Scott and Debra Mccart says
Condolences to the Shy family. George was a wonderful neighbor and good friend. He will be missed.
Chris and Diana Elwood says
Shy Family, What a great guy your Dad was, we have so many wonderful memories of him from when we lived in Ashland. He and our daughter Amanda would talk on the phone when George would call for a brand inspection. He loved that Amanda always recognized his voice and knew who she was talking to. You are all in our prayers. God’s peace be with you all.
Andrita Harris says
Shy Family My deepest sympathy prayers to all your Dad will be missed. He is a better place, with your Mom.
Ann Gunnare says
As beginning teachers at Ashland Public, we were lucky to meet George and Eva Rose through Stewart and Jayme. They were wonderful supporters of their children, and we are saddened to hear they have both passed on. Our heartfelt thoughts to you and thank you for the wonderful memories from “the good old Ashland days.”
Harry and Diana Goodwin says
Sending condolences to you all during this time of grieving. Keep those memories close to your heart.
Kathy Achenbach McAnulty says
Kathy Achenbach McAnulty says
It is with deep sadness that I hear of George’s passing. I always looked at George as the “real deal — That Real Cowboy”. He was number one in my book. I just never thought he would leave us.
As I think of him, I cherish many memories and happy fun times. He was truly a character.
I hope the memories you have of your Dad will bring a smile to your faces. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
Gaylene and Tim Fortner says
We are sorry about George, we have fun memories of him when he lived by Ashland. Prayers
Rayetta Schonenbach Fjell says
Shannon, Dudley, Stewart & Jamie: I was very sad to hear of the passing of your Father. He was such a wonderful man. I have many memories of your Folks growing up in the Otter Creek & Ashland area. I wasn’t very old but I remember George at the Stacy Roping’s and the neighborhood braidings. I believe the Shy’s were the first neighbors my folk had when they first arrived in Montana. And you children may now know this; but George along with Mickey were my Godparents. May be one of the reason’s they are so special to me. I am unable to attend the funeral, I’m in Utah caring for grandchildren – But know my thoughts and prayers of comfort go out to you today. Rayetta Schonennbach Fjell – –
Kris Bartholomew says
Shannon, Dudley, Stewart and Jamie. . . I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I saw his a few years ago when he was here taking delivery of cattle for Dudle. We had a good visit. Thinking of all of you.
Kris
Betty says
We are so sorry for your loss. We had a lot of good memories with George. Our thoughts and prayers. John and Betty Hughes
Judy Ross says
We are so sorry for your loss. JW and our family thought so much of George. What a great guy he was and JW will always remember the great stories and memories while he worked for your dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Helen Jeanne and Walt Jones says
Walt and I will miss George. We are sending our sympathies and condolences to Bev, Shannon, Dudley, Stewart, Jamie and their families, as well as, all the grandchildren.
I had a good visit with George last year and even though I could not take him to Broadus as he asked, we had a lengthy review of exciting times in the 1950s. It was a satisfying afternoon. I still miss Eva Rose, too, my first cousin, born in the same year and life-long friend. I will think of the Shys in January because of the birthdays and George and Eva Rose’s wedding. Hugs to you all.