Earl Hensley, 85, passed away from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) on July 4, 2015 in Helena, Montana.
Earl was born February 16, 1930, to Fred and Laura Hensley in Garber, Oklahoma. The family soon moved to the Texas Panhandle, Earl’s home until 1950. After marrying his high school sweetheart, Donna Hazlett, the honeymooners left Texas and Earl began a career as a drilling contractor. Over the next few years, the family lived in eleven different states. They remained a devoted team for 59 years until Donna passed away in 2009.
Earl worked as a driller for Stacy Drilling of Douglas Wyoming, primarily “core sampling” the coal beds of most of the western states. In 1967 they settled down in Broadus, Montana. Soon after Earl, Donna and former partner, Ed Hanson created H&H Drilling. Earl and Donna later purchased Ed’s interest and expanded the business. Based in Broadus, Earl commuted long miles to continue working in Montana, Wyoming, Arizona and Colorado and drilling many Broadus area water wells in between coring jobs. In 1989, Donna was diagnosed with lymphoma and Earl suffered a stroke. Earl’s ability to go to the field ended abruptly, but Broadus remained home until 1998 when health needs relocated them to Helena, Montana.
Earl and Donna were blessed with four daughters, Suzanne (KP) Stevens of Ashland, MT, Earline (Kermit) Eck of Malvern, PA and Helena, MT, Barbara (Brad) Lancaster of Helena, MT and Stacy (Paul) Gage of High Point, NC, and with 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Those who knew him will remember him as a quiet man, observing all the time, frequently grinning (often impishly at Donna) and loving his family. The Dallas Cowboys were his team, although the Broncos and the Yankees were close behind. His card game was pinochle and he was a masterful player who, with his son-in-law partner, Brad, loved beating any team combination of Donna and his daughters.
No services will be held. A family memorial gathering will be held at a later date. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Earl.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Harold Hanson says
I always enjoyed visiting with Earl and he really kept hopping when I worked for him drilling core samples for coal. He will be missed.
Carolyn and Lon Johnson says
Remembering Earl with many smiles of times we spent in Broadus. So sorry for you loss, but he has certainly left a great legacy. Hugs to you all.
Carolyn and Lon
Sue Ann Heidel Leininger says
I always think of your dad with that impish, quiet grin sitting back from the fray and watching all the crazy antics his four silly, active, amazing daughters were doing and (probably) wondering what they were going to come up with next…or when they were going to drag him into it. We are so lucky to have known Earl, Donna and those four crazy daughters.
Love to all. Sue Ann and Lance