CLYDE ALDRICH BUELL
Clyde A. Buell, born in Great Falls, MT, August 10, 1932, to Albert and Marchie (Aldrich) Buell, passed away from cancer on November 27, 2011. Clyde was raised in Augusta, MT and graduated from the Augusta High School in 1950. He worked for one year on the construction of the Canyon Ferry Dam, accumulating funds to attend Montana State College in Bozeman for 2 quarters before the funds ran out. No longer being a student, he was quickly drafted by the US Army in September 1952, where he fought in the Korean War before being discharged in 1954.
He went to work in the fall of 1954 for Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph in Great Falls, which evolved into U.S. West, from which he retired after 33 years in 1988. He married Lois Martz in July 1957 and had two boys, Craig and Carl. Clyde and Lois were divorced in 1984.
Clyde spent seven years in Butte, MT, after retiring, but finally moved to Helena, where he met and married Patricia E. Buell in 1995. His younger years were spent camping, fishing, and travelling with his family. In his later life, when poor health restricted his activities, he enjoyed cards, especially with his friends at the Helena Senior Center; building bird houses & doll houses; and he especially enjoyed his yard and tending to his flowers.
Those who knew Clyde, knew that his life actually revolved around his love for children… “God’s greatest gift”. He was especially fond of his relationship with Pat’s great-grandkids, Auston and Lyla Johnson, whom they cared for while their parents worked. But he never forgot his biological grandchildren and great-grandkids that lived too far away for him to really have a personal relationship. Kids were kids, regardless of their relationship to Clyde, who loved them all.
Clyde was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Leonard (Bud) Buell; sister, Marchie Marcotte; and son, Craig, who also died of cancer in 1999. He is survived by his wife, Pat; his son, Carl Buell of Meridian, ID; his brothers: Ray Buell of Helena and Arthur Buell (Liz) of Las Vegas; his three grandchildren: Elena Swarzga (David); Clyde Buell II (April); Hannah May (Shayne); three great-grandkids who live in Ohio and a new great-grandson born in England.
At his request, Clyde has been cremated. However, there will not be a memorial service at this time. Instead, there will be graveside services at the Augusta Cemetery, Augusta, MT at a later date.
Memorials may be sent in Clyde’s name to Hospice of St. Peter’s Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601; or to the Salvation Army, 1905 Henderson, Helena, MT 59601. To offer a condolence or share a memory of Clyde, please visit: www.retzfuneralhome.com.
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Angie, Auston & Lyla says
To our dear Grandpa Clyde, our lives will forever be blessed, for you were a shining light in our lives! Thank you for all of the great memories that we have. We will miss you always and know that you are an angel watching over us now! Auston and Lyla promise to take care of Grammy 🙂 All of our love,
Angie, Auston (aka Your Little Buddy) & Lyla
Lisa Lynn (Layher) Barth says
Dearest Pat,
My heart is aching for you and your family. Though I was only in your lives a very short time, I will miss dad (of which he allowed me to call him) and dad calling me his angel. He probably called a lot of people his angel but it was special to me and meant so much to me. I am ever so grateful and blessed to have two such amazing and beautiful people accept me into your family. Both you and Clyde were gracious hosts to both myself and my mother the two trips I took, they will always be special memories for me. Besides being catered to by both you and Clyde it is a gift you both seemed to give gladly. If you ever, EVER, need anything, please give me a call, I would do anything within my reach for you. I love you so very, very much. Clyde’s Angel, Lisa (I do believe he is now all of our angels. I hope he gets to visit with my dad, they both lost that horrible ordeal with cancer. I do regret not calling and hope to talk with you soon. He would have fallen in love with my new three adopted children. I love you Patty!! and miss you!! Take Care!!!!!)