Douglas Lew Conrady passed on to a greater hunting camp on Monday January 26, 2015 after bravely battling Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and patiently living with Parkinson’s disease.Doug was born in Anaconda on January 17, 1941 to parents Louis and Ruth Conrady. He grew up playing in the foothills with his dear late brother Steve, sister Penny and numerous life-long friends.
He graduated from Anaconda High School in 1959 and then attended The University of Montana. He worked summers as a Lookout for the US Forest Service during college before graduating to a USFS Smokejumper in both Montana and Alaska.
After his exciting time in air, Doug landed employment in Montana with the phone company. Through 30 years of changes in company name, job title and towns, he held important shifts as alarm systems technician, installation and repair, and lineman duties. Doug worked both day & night shifts, indoors & outside, under houses and on top of telephone poles, with computer systems and with his hands.
A skilled leather worker, bullet and arrow builder, wood whittler, and fisherman, Doug loved to “dink around” with his hands. If you couldn’t find him catching fish in his beloved boat on Canyon Ferry Lake & Riverside, you might find him in his hobby room tuning bow & arrows for friends.
But Doug was most at home in the pines. For decades and generations Doug and his family made The Bob Marshall Wilderness their second home, and his prized elk rack holds an honorable mount above the Buckhorn Bar in Augusta.
Doug passed his love for the outdoors and skill in hunting on to his boys Doug and Dan. Born to Doug and his first wife Betsi Kennedy, the family found thread in the mountains of Great Falls until they moved to Helena.
Doug’s family doubled after marrying Bobbie Easbey. He gained daughter Tonya, son Mark, numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, and another set of adoring parents.
Doug and Bobbie loved to travel, with family, friends or just on their own, they loved to explore; from the islands of Hawaii to the beaches of California and Mexico, the deserts of the south to the rivers of the north. Most of all they loved to spend time with family – camping, hiking and fishing, horseback riding and skiing, gardening, dining and dancing.
Doug excelled at whatever he did, though he would be the last person to brag about it. He two-stepped as well as any cowboy, could maneuver the moguls like a ski pro, track an elk like a wolf, and find fish in a desert. He traded in his motorcycle for horses later in life, but rode them all with a confident, quiet style. As a young man Doug was often called to help retrieve items deep beneath the ice with his scuba skills and bravery. He was always available to help family in whatever they needed; building the Georgetown cabin, house renovations, horse wrangling, and to his chagrin even auto maintenance.
Doug had a wealth of patience and wisdom. You had to really work to get his opinion out of him, but the guy was “always right,” and had a “steel trap” that could hold mountains of memories and facts. If he raised his voice, you knew you’d gone two miles too far! But he always forgave, kept his expectations low and would forever choose the high road.
Survivors include his wife Bobbie, children Doug (Marlo) Conrady, Dan Conrady, Mark Easbey and Tonya Easbey; grandchildren Sam & Charlie Mae Conrady and Cassidy Conrady; sister Penny (Gabe) Reuben; sisters-in-law Sandi Conrady, Janice Frisch, Hollyann Frisch; nephew Pat McCoy; niece and nephew Stephanie Conrady and Scot Conrady and their children Troy (Michelle) Ford, Marti Ford, Drew and Brook Conrady.
Doug was preceded in death by parents Louis and Ruth Conrady, brother Steve Conrady and parents-in-law Fred and Virginia Frisch.
Special thanks to dear friends Bill Strickland, Dick Kornick, Arnie & Joyce Pike. The family appreciated the great care from St. Peter’s Cancer Treatment Center Staff, and Home Health and Hospice. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations to Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center of the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ.
A memorial service celebrating Doug’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 7th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A reception will immediately follow at the Knights of Columbus, 2201 Chestnut Street. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Doug.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m.
Saturday February 7, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Saturday February 7, 2015
Knights of Columbus
2201 Chestnut Street
Helena , Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m.
Saturday February 7, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Saturday February 7, 2015
Knights of Columbus
2201 Chestnut Street
Helena , Montana 59601
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Richard Kornick says
My best friend and hunting partner since 1979. We made many trips in the Bob Marshall and we experienced our sons growing up with us on many trips. Doug was like the brother I never had. I miss him.
Terry Frisch says
Doug,
May you rest in peace.
Your brother-in-law, Terry
Aaron Hicks says
my heart breaks for the family. I know how much Doug was loved by all. I’m glad I got to know Doug and help pack camp into the Bob for a few of the many adventure he had with his partners and family. You were one cool cat!!! Rest in peace my friend. See you on the other side.
Marilyn Greely says
I thought of You on Monday to come out and give you “Foot Care”
What a great guy You were!!!
Ken and Marge Kasper says
We were very blessed to work with Doug and call him friend. Have many wonderful memories of a great guy who was loved by everyone who knew. He will truly be missed.
Mark and GAYLE tRENARY says
Doug was always good to see & visit with. He was a kind soul. Hope the fish are biting in the great beyond, friend. Rest in peace.
Tim Davis says
I feel very lucky and honored to have spent time with Doug Sr. and with his two sons, my good friends Dan and Doug. They took a real greenhorn from the east and helped make a Montanan out of him. Thanks Doug and shoot straight up there.
DP Grant says
My deepest condolences to all the family. Doug’s quiet wit always had me in stitches and as a young boy he took me on quite the adventure in the mountains on a family outing many, many years ago. Though it was impossible to keep up with him when he stretched his legs out for a walk he took the time to wait for a little boy and I will never forget that. Doug and Steve are now in a place where there is no more pain for them, probably hunting and fishing or on some other adventure with Ruth and Louie watching over them.
Dennis Campbell says
Condolences from Anaconda.Knew both Doug and Steve and their parents.Good luck Doug and Steve on your new elk hunt in the Bob, RIP
Georgiana Vucasovich Gavrilovich says
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Doug was a classmate of mine. Memory Eternal.
Leslie Smith says
What a guy! I feel lucky to have known Doug, even for a short time. My condolences to Bobbie and the family.
Joyce & Arnie says
Sending condolences from Kuna, ID, to Bobbie and Families of wonderful Doug. He was such a kind, funny fellow who kept that special glint in his eyes until he joined his brother. We are honored to have had him part of our lives and grateful he is finally at peace. Take care all and God Bless.
John and Mary Lamb says
Bobby and Family
Our hearts go out to you for you loss of Doug. We pray that God and His infinite wisdom will bring peace to all of your hearts, and with your wonderful memories, bring comfort and laughter back into you lives. We are so sorry for you loss.
Rhonda Sullivan says
My prayers are with you Bobbie and family…… Doug always shared a special place in my heart since we were birthday buddies. He will be missed. RIP Doug….
Darryl Eccleston says
I will never forget our friendship through High School. I left after High School for the service but I always remembered his as a study good person. See ya later Darryl
Vince Kornick says
Doug was “the man” except when I got stuck riding on that damn rough gaited pack horse of his for what seemed like hours. Great Memories. Gone but NEVER forgotten. Peace to Dougie, Danny and Bobby. Vince and family
Nancy White says
By condolences to Bobbie and her family
Wanda McDowell Cawley says
Bobbie, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
flossie shaw says
Thoughts and prayers to Bobbie and family.
Ken and Laurena Stephens says
Dan and family,
Very sorry for your loss. Our sympathy to all of you.
Laurie Vogel says
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I’m so sorry for your loss. Always loved Doug’s sense of humor and thoughtfulness. Thinking of you Bobbie and family.
Niki says
Dan and Doug,
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. A great man who raised great sons. You’re in my thoughts and prayers. May your dad being resting peacefully in the arms of his maker.
Pat Sharp & Keith McCarty says
We are thinking of you, Bobbie, Tonya, Mark and other family members during these difficult days. May you find peace and comfort in the weeks ahead.
Paul Rickman says
SR. RIP
Never forget our trip to the beartooth looking for sheds. Watching Doug gliding across the meadow on his horse was amazing. Later that night Doug jr and Dan and uncle Steve played music around the fire. That is that trip i truely got hooked. You are dearly missed. Peace brother
Ellen Harschfeld says
Bobbie and family, so sorry for your loss. Our hearts and prayers are with you in this time of grief.
Art Schneider says
My twin Lowell and I spent many activities with Doug throughout high school and beyond at reunions. We met in grade school and were friends forever. We fished and hunted together and called each other on many birthdays.
Doug was a great friend and will be remembered. God bless you.
Neil Rylander says
Remember you from U of M. That was a long time ago. Gone too soon among many others from Smokejumper community.