Joseph John Urick

Visitation:Monday, April 18, 2005 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City

Vigil Service: Monday, April 18, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City

Funeral Mass: Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 11:00 am at the Sacred Heart Church in Miles City

Rite Of Committal: will follow in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery with full military rites.

Joseph John Joe Urick, age 84, of Miles City, joined his loving wife, Marge, in Heaven with the Lord, on April 14, 2005 surrounded by the love of his family and friends.

Joe was born on December 4, 1920, the eighth child of Ana (Legan) and Matt Urick, in Great Falls, MT. He attended the Burlingame Grade School, 1 miles from their ranch, which was up hill both ways! Joe graduated from Belt Valley High School in 1938 and after 2 years of working on the family ranch, he went on to college at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT. After a three-year hitch in the U.S. Army Air Force, he graduated from MSU with a degree in Animal Husbandry in 1947. In 1948, he accepted a job at the North Montana Branch Experiment Station (old Fort Assinniboine site) near Havre, MT. It was there that Joe met his soon to be wife, Marge Anderson-Bradley, who was his secretary. As a romance started to gradually develop, Joe and Marge began a well- chaperoned "courtship" -- chaperoned by Pat and Joan. Joe gained the love of Marge and the girls, and they were united as a family on November 29, 1950 in a small church in Belt, MT. Pat and Joan were joined by brothers and sisters Joseph C. (Jay), Margaret Mary (Mary), Stephen (Steve), Katherine (Kathy) and Carol. In 1961, the family moved to the U.S. Range Experiment Station in Miles City, where they had made their home since, raising their family. Joe was very proud of his involvement with the famous Line One Herefords. Joe and Marge moved out to Signal Butte in March of 1977, which became the gathering spot for many holidays. Joe retired from Fort Keogh in 1989. In 1990, they moved into town and enjoyed having a multitude of family and friends constantly filling the house with laughter, memories and love. Joe was a kind and gentle man. With a smile on his face his hand was always reaching out to give a peace be with you to all that crossed his path. He never met a stranger, and in turn was a friend to many. Joe inspired many of the Urick Clan to become shutterbugs! Everywhere he went, he had his camera along. After several years of documenting the Hereford cows, Marge finally requested that he start taking more pictures of the kids!

Joe loved working in his beautiful garden and lawn and as we would be looking at the prize winning flower beds, with a twinkle in his eye, ask for pointers from those of us without green thumbs. It was always a race to see who would have the first ripe tomato of the season, and without fail, Joe would win. He loved woodworking, and has given away countless benches, shelves and cupboards to friends and family. Joes latest accomplishment was the computer. Joe took off with the computer where Marge left off. He enjoyed e-mailing his family and friends back and forth, and waited patiently for them to come in! He will be sorely missed by all who were blessed to know him. But we take comfort knowing that after 6 months, Marge and Joe are together again, dancing on the floors of Heaven.

Joe is survived by seven children; Patricia (Bob) Fuhrman, of Richland, WA, Joan Bradley of Olympia, WA, Joseph "Jay" (Connie) Urick of Hilger, MT, Mary (Fred) Wambolt, III of Miles City, MT, Steve (Jackie) Urick of Stanford, MT, Kathy (Rob) Bird of Bismarck, ND and Carol (Don) Switzer of Richey, MT, three sisters; Josie Inman, Mary Patton and Louise (Ray) Buley, close brother-in-law &"Uncle Bob&" Robert OClock, and sister-in-law; Vivian Urick, seventeen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends that he considered to be family. Joe was preceded in death his loving wife of 53 years, Marge on October 1, 2004, his parents, siblings; Anna, Polly, Helen, Matt, Frank and Tony.

If desired, memorials may be made in Joes name to the Holy Rosary Hospice; 2600 Wilson Street, Miles City, MT 59301 or to the charity of one's choice.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.