Frank Eugene May

Frank Eugene May, known to all as Buck, passed away Jan. 21, 2016 at home, peacefully, with his family.

Born in Havre on Jan. 2, 1941, Buck was the second of three children born to Frank and Dorthe May. He graduated from Havre High in 1959, where he played football, basketball and participated in track. He obtained a full-ride football scholarship to Montana State University in Bozeman, and graduated (barely) with a degree in secondary education. The close friendships he made with his Blue Pony and Bobcat teammates continued throughout his lifetime.

After his sophomore year at MSU in 1961, he married Linda Kalepp, a Butte native, (somebody had to get him through college). After graduation, they moved to the San Lorenzo Valley in California. Buck taught physical education, coached football, and was the athletic director at San Lorenzo Valley High School. During their time in California, Buck and Linda made many friends and had two children, Eric and Nikki, but they were ready to move back home to Montana in 1974.

Back in Havre, Buck coached and taught at his alma mater, Havre High. In 1979, he stepped away from teaching and bought the Gallery Lounge. Family ties led them to Whitefish in 1983. Buck and Linda bought a bar and named it the Bulldog Saloon after the high school’s mascot. It was his dream to create a place where people would gather before or after the local games, with ice cold beer and good food — a true sports bar. He used his artistic skills to decorate the bar, and to this day, locals and visitors come in looking for their photos or memorabilia that adorn the walls of the Bulldog. Coaching continued to be a part of Buck’s life in Whitefish where he volunteered and enjoyed working with kids of all ages.

After all the years behind the bar serving and entertaining customers, Buck “retired” but still came in every day to visit with his old timers or interrogate tourists, while drinking coffee, playing cards, arguing politics, and telling tall tales.

Anyone who knew Buck knew he had a soft spot for the most “special” dog breed of all — the English Bulldog. Coach, Teaser, Fanny, Nigel, Savannah, Hillary, Mowgli, Maude and Agnes all held a special place in his heart (and lots of dog hair in his car).

He was devoted to his family, and after losing Linda in 2004, he remained a huge part of his kids’ and grandkids’ lives. Buck took great pride in his four grandsons, Jake, Luke, Buck and Mack, and was responsible for teaching them the really important things in life:

• How to pee in the woods

• How to compete

• How to play cards

• How to appreciate a good joke

• How to do push ups (for money)

• How to be a good person

Buck made an impact on so many lives because he was truly interested in people, and they enjoyed his kindness and good humor. Most encounters with Buck left you laughing, or at least with a smile on your face.

Buck is survived by his children, Eric and wife Amy, and their sons Jake and Luke; Nikki Eagleburger and her husband Casey, and their sons Buck and Mack; as well as his sister, Karen, and Dick Wright; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Buck was preceded in death by his wife, Linda May, and sister, Susan Morris.

In lieu of flowers, Buck would prefer you spend your money at the Bulldog Saloon.

A gathering of friends will be held on Monday, Jan. 25 from 5-8 p.m. at the Bulldog Saloon in Whitefish.