William Baldridge

William Gregory Baldridge passed away Aug. 13, 2006, at the Montana State Veterans Home.

Greg was born Oct. 10, 1926, in Spokane, Wash., the only child of William and Helen Gregory Baldridge. He moved to Billings, where he worked summers on the family ranch in the Boulder River Valley and earned his Eagle Scout award by age 13.

Greg served in the Merchant Marines in the South Pacific during World War II, graduating from the Merchant Marine Academy in 1947. He also earned a business degree from the University of Montana-Missoula in 1950, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

In 1950, he married Mary Griffith. They raised their three children in Billings. Greg was active in real estate and politics, serving as the state financial chairman of the Republican Party and piloting candidates around the state in the early 1960s. After divorcing in 1963, he managed a ranch in East Texas for a number of years before returning to real estate development in Billings in 1972.

Greg married Janne Patten in 1982, and they spent the next two decades enjoying life, traveling and golfing. In 1992, Greg and Janne retired to Whitefish. Greg was known to many as "Gregarious Greg" because he was always engaging with a great sense of humor. He imparted a sense of personal responsibility to all his children, and his innate charm and hearty laugh will be missed by all.

Greg is survived by his beloved wife Janne; his children Melissa Harrison and husband Harry, of Richardson, Texas, William G.G. Baldridge and wife Mary, of McLean, Va., and Summerfield Baldridge and wife Julie, of Whitefish; his stepchildren Tom Patten and wife Vicki, of Pasco, Wash., Andy Patten and wife Judy, of Billings, Katie Tinnell and husband Leonard, of Missoula, John Patten and wife Liz, of Hillsborough, N.J., and Bill Patten and wife Carol, of Tacoma, Wash.; 21 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and his first wife, Mary Baldridge, of Whitefish.

Cremation has taken place. A private memorial service is planned for Saturday, Sept. 2, 2006, in Whitefish.

The family respectfully suggests that donations in his memory be made to the Alzheimer's charity of choice. The family wishes to thank the caring staff of the Montana State Veterans Home.