Cloudy, 51° F
(Oct. 4, 1922 - June 5, 2015)
Lee Edwin Weathermon died June 5, 2015, at Powell Valley Care Center, surrounded by his loving family. He was 92.
Lee was born in Melville, Montana, on Oct. 4, 1922, to Christopher and Esther Weathermon. He grew up in Clark and Bridger with his five siblings. Lee graduated in Bridger in 1943.
Lee entered the service on Aug. 16, 1943, where he served in the 3rd Division of the U.S. Army during WWII. He was wounded in action in the European Theater in 1944 and spent time recovering in a Walla Walla, Washington, hospital. He was then honorably discharged on July 6, 1945, receiving a Purple Heart along with other medals of honor. After his discharge, Lee returned to Bridger, where he worked for local farmers until moving to Billings, Montana to attend college.
There he met the love of his life, Florence Shaffer. They married on June 3, 1950. Out of their union, they had their beloved daughter Rosanna. While in Billings, Lee managed the Shaffer Apartments and later drove for Wilcoxsin’s Ice Cream. In 1969, he moved back to Clark with his wife and daughter. He farmed and drove the school bus until his retirement in 1985.
Lee was the epitome of a true cowboy and was an avid adventurer, fisherman and card player. He also enjoyed hunting and was thrilled to have taken his daughter, Rose, and grandson, Lee, on their first hunts. He loved to explore every inch of the mountains, making his own roads as he went. He always was more than pleased to take family and friends along for these journeys or sharing the many photos he captured on his way up and down every road imaginable.
Lee will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. He had a kind and gentle heart along with a smile, chuckle, sense of humor and firm hand shake that was cherished by many.
Survivors include his daughter Rose (Jim) Cox; brother Mark (Mary) Weathermon; sisters Tootie Giest and Ada Eckerman; grandchildren Lee, Mandy, Bruce, Jason and Brenda Cox; numerous adored great-grandchildren; special niece Sonya Black and many other cherished nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Christopher and Esther Weathermon; wife Florence; sister and brother-in-law Marge and Bernard Bailey; sister Jean Leimback; brother-in-laws Bruce Giest and John Eckerman; and other family members Jim Black and Ralph Henderson.
The family would like to thank Dr. Tracy, the staff and residents at the Heartland and Powell Valley Care Center for their loving care of Lee over the past three years. Special thanks to those who were a part of his hospice care prior to his passing.
A celebration of Lee’s life is planned at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 13, at Bennett Creek Baptist Church in Clark. A military service will follow at Bennett Butte Cemetery with a luncheon afterward at the church. Memorial donations can be sent to the Bennett Creek Baptist Church or another of your choosing.
