Everett Alan March, of Helena, Montana, passed away January 16, 2021 after a yearlong battle with cancer. He was born November 19, 1931 in Fort Morgan, Colorado to Velma and Edward March. He was raised there with his five brothers and sister. Growing up through the Great Depression and with a father off fighting in WWII, Ev learned the value of hard work and passed that on to his own children. He was introduced to God by his good friend, Alan Osborne. In the sixth grade he was baptized by full emersion and when his head came above water, he heard the whole congregation yell “Halleluiah, that March boy is going to be saved!”
After high school Ev enlisted in the Navy for 4 years. While stationed at Pearl Harbor, he married his high school sweetheart, Kay Williams. They began their married life living in an apartment two blocks from Waikiki Beach. After the service, Ev attended Northern Colorado University in Greeley, Colorado where he attained his B.A. in Education, and his two oldest sons (Rick and Ben) were born. He and Kay moved to Scottsbluff, NE, where he coached and taught for seven years and added his two youngest sons (Scott and Dan). Ev loved coaching any sport at any level. Over the course of his life he coached grade school through junior college levels: football, basketball, baseball, tennis, softball, track and golf. He coached all of his own boys and some of his grandchildren.
The family spent several summers in Montana while Ev collected two Masters Degrees in School Administration and Guidance and Counseling. It was a shock for his boys to realize later in life that their Dad was a Griz alum! (Go Cats!) The family moved to Basin, WY where Ev was the high school principal and guidance counselor. Another move took them to Thermopolis, WY, where Ev was the Assistant Superintendent of Schools. Ready for a new adventure outside of education, Ev and Kay purchased the Clancy Store and moved to Montana. They ran the store for 20 years, and it was a central part of the community for not only groceries, meat and gas, but also as a warm place for kids to await the school bus, or for adults to congregate as part of the “coffee crew”. Kay passed away in 1992. Everett re-evaluated his life and eventually sold the store, semi-retired, married Bette Tolson, and moved to Oregon. Ev and Bette made great friends in Oregon, Colorado and Wyoming over the next several decades as their adventure continued. They eventually ended up back in Montana, closer to most of their children and extended family.
Ev was one of the most giving people you will ever meet. He was active in his church, Elks, Rotary, Lions Club, organized sports leagues and always willing to help a neighbor that needed a hand. Ev loved all sports, but golf and fly fishing were his favorites later in life. His annual fishing trip to the upper Madison River with childhood friends Dick Joliffe and Ted Westervelt, among others, was always a highlight of the year and continued well into their 80s when cards, whiskey and a few tall tales became more important than catching fish!
Everett is preceded in death by his first wife, Kay, and three brothers: Lester (Nora); Chester (Fran); and Robert. He is survived by his wife, Bette; sister, Velva (Don) Herdt, Greeley, CO; and brothers Max (Mary) Fort Collins, CO, and Charles (Noria) Panama, as well as his children: Rick (Carolyn) March, Clancy, MT; Ben (Retta) March, Clancy, MT; Scott (Malena) March, North Ogden, UT; Dan (Aimee) March, Helena, MT; Dawn Tolson, Fountain Valley, CA; and Brad (Kim) Tolson, Bozeman, MT. Ev has eleven grandchildren: Ryan, Bonny, Jenna, Jarren, Glenn, Kristin, Corrine, Kelsey, Colton, Samantha, and Noah; and seven great grandchildren: Daniel, Oscar, Aiden, Drake, Dean, Quinn, and one on the way. Due to current restrictions, no funeral will be held at this time, but a celebration of life will be planned for the summer of 2021. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Everett’s name to the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, WY or to a worthy cause of your choice.
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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Kay says
Rick and Carolyn,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your parents were a tremendous source of support to their community and will be deeply missed and remembered by ALL. Hugs and Elbow bumps, Kay
Doris copenhaver says
So sorry to see that Everett passed. I will always remember sitting in the window at the Clancy store with and Everett having a beer after closing. Had many fun times with the family. My thoughts and prayers are with the rest of the family.
Gail Zimmer says
Dan and Aimee:
So sorry to hear about your dad. I know you have wonderful memories of fishing trips with him. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lynn and Duke Cromrich says
Rick, Ben, Scott, & Dan and families: We were saddened to hear of Ev’s passing. We had some good times with him and your mom way back when. Our thoughts and prayers are with you now.
Jerome Tuss says
To the family of Evert, I soo sorry to hear about his death. He was definitely a stand out in our community of Clancy at the time he ran the store. May God Bless you and be with you in this time of need.
Jane Hamman says
My sympathy with all of you as you grieve your loss. I’m Celebrating Ev’s wonderful long life so well lived! And remembering good times with him and Kay in the Clancy Store. God’s Blessings.
Rick & Becky Forrette says
Everett was a very nice man with a competitive nature on our softball team in the 1990″s. He was an awesome pitcher with great skills. So sorry for your loss.
Rick & Becky
Ruth Ann Shuler says
Bette and family,
HUGS!
chris bulkley says
I am so sorry to hear about Evert. I have so many memories of him and Kay and Ben at the Clancy Store. I spent so much time in there as a kid, we would sit in the window and do school work while we waited for our parents to pick us up after school. I loved playing the shark Pachinko game they had in the back! They were all so great for the community of Clancy!
Betsy Nelson says
One of the best guys. You raised some good kids Everett and Kay. Our hearts go on. ❤️💫
Thomas Phillips says
Scott:
Irene and I are sorry to hear about your father. We never had the privilege of meeting him, but if you’re any indication, I’m sure he was a fine man.
There is nothing easy about losing a parent.
Irene and Tom Phillips
Jeff Berglund says
Dan and Aimee – so sorry to hear of your loss. I never met him, but it sounds like he lived a full, rich life. My sense is the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. You’re in our thoughts and prayers. Jeff & Shaunna
Lee Potts says
I never knew him as Everett I only knew him as coach March. I loved having him as a golf coach my 7th and 8th grade years, and I’m sorry he’s gone. He taught me many valuable lessons during the short time I knew him and I just want to extend my thoughts to Colten, Kelsey, Dan, Amy, and the rest of the March family.
Terry Davis says
Sure enjoyed Mr. March through the years in Basin, Wyoming schools. His talents in all fields of sports and education propelled many of us to Greatness. My parents (Glen & Shirley) were good friends with them. Remember getting together with them and other families for the 4th of July celebration.
From the Davis’
phillip hartman says
Rest In Peace to a good Man