Jack Pfrimmer

Jack Pfrimmer, 96, passed away Dec. 2, 2015.

He was born Oct. 12, 1919, in Great Falls, to Robert B. Pfrimmer and Lillian Greene Pfrimmer, the second of eight children. He was raised on a mountain homestead ranch west of Pendroy, Montana. Attended country schools in Teton County. He joined the U.S. Navy on Feb. 16, 1937, to Aug 1, 1940, and again from May 13, 1944, to Dec. 17, 1945.

He married Emily Josephine Pfrimmer in Kalispell on April 12, 1943.

He was preceded in death by Emily and son Oscar David.

He is survived by children Robert J. Pfrimmer, Nancy Pfrimmer Travale and Becky Pfrimmer.

Jack had a full life. Having grown up on the east slope of Rockies, he spent time in the outdoors, and served his country in the Navy before and during World War II. Then he worked in the Civil Aeronautics Authority/Federal Aviation Administration as an air traffic controller and FAA inspector. He worked from 1937 to 1971 with only one month of unemployment. Then he retired to Whitefish.

Local citizens will remember him as an inspired and inspiring artist. Drawing from life experiences, he transformed elements of nature into small and large carvings treasured by many. He was active in community affairs such as NARFE, Moose, community causes and lying about his fishing.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish. Interment will be at Glacier Memorial Gardens. A celebration luncheon will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the VFW in Whitefish.

The family requests, instead of flowers, contributions in his name to the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls or a charity of choice.