Posted 03/31/06

TOWNSEND -- Douglas Paul Christie, age 81, of Townsend, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2006, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Doug was born June 6, 1924, near Townsend in the family home with his grandmother serving as midwife. The first child of George and Ruby Christie, he enjoyed his entire life on the Confederate Gulch ranch in the home his father built in 1902. He began his education by riding his horse with his younger sister, Jane, to the Johnson School, the neighborhood one-room school. He graduated from Broadwater County High School in 1942.

During high school, Doug met the love of his life, Ruth Bristow. They dated in high school and married on Dec. 31, 1945. They were the third generation to make their home on the Christie cattle and sheep ranch on Confederate Creek. They lived there for the next 60 years.

Doug and Ruth had four girls who were the apples of their father's eye: Peggy, Jeannie, Betti and Sally. Although he worked hard through the years on the ranch, Doug always made time to take his girls on special family vacations that included trips to the Pacific Ocean to celebrate each of their high school graduations. The girls worked alongside their father in the fields and caring for their cattle and sheep.

Doug was very involved in the community where he invested his life. He served for many years as a member of the Townsend School Board and as a member of the Broadwater County Tax Appeal Board. He was also active in organizations such as the Woolgrowers Association, Farm Bureau, and the local Republican Party. He served as Broadwater County Farm Bureau President, Broadwater County Republican Committeeman, Confederate Creek Water Commissioner and as Broadwater County Weed Supervisor. He faithfully attended all of his girls' school and extracurricular activities in town throughout the years.

During their life together, Doug and Ruth enjoyed many wonderful trips to see the world, including several trips to Mexico, the Caribbean and Germany. They also enjoyed traveling to many different parts of the United States. They spent many wonderful winters exploring Arizona and Southern California in their RV.

Doug's favorite pastime was working in his machine shop with his various pieces of machinery. He loved trains, steam engines, his metal lathe, inventing gadgets and working on his old cars. He had recently refurbished his 1937 Chevy he drove as a teenager.

In 1995, Doug went forward at a Franklin Graham Crusade and surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. He attended the Alliance Bible Church in Townsend.

In February 1994, Doug learned he had prostate cancer. He took on this challenge like everything else in his life and educated himself about the various cutting edge treatments available. He traveled to Seattle and to the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Tulsa for seminars and treatment. He was especially thankful for the compassionate care he received at St. Peter's Hospital by Dr. Weiner and his kind-hearted oncology staff, by Dr. Grossman, and by the St. Peter's Hospital Hospice staff.

His family and friends will remember Doug for his high ethics and integrity, his sense of humor, his patience and kindness, his calm peacefulness, and his deep love for those around him.

His parents preceded Doug in death. His wife, Ruth, of the family home and his sister, Jane Porter of Spokane, Wash., survive him. He'll be greatly missed by his wife and his daughters and their husbands, Peggy and Joel Flynn of Townsend, Jeannie and Bill Flechsenhar of Cascade, Betti and Rick Hill of Helena, and Sally and Brad Dundas of Townsend.

Doug's grandchildren and great-grandchildren meant the world to him. His special grandchildren are, Jennifer and Todd Beatty of Butte; Brandon and Vanessa Flynn of Townsend; Roger Flynn of St. Bonifacius, Minn.; Heather Flechsenhar of Bozeman; Angie and Shea Fitzgibbons of South Hampton, Mass.; Christie and Austin Knudsen of Missoula; Todd and Jeannette Hill of Maple Grove, Minn.; Corey and Heidi Hill of Helena; Mike and Stephanie Hill of Chandler, Ariz.; Toby and Tanya Dundas of Townsend; and Taffee Dundas of Townsend.

Doug's special great-grandchildren are Taylor and Dillion Dundas of Townsend; Kadrian, Parker and Peyton Hill of Maple Grove; and Levi and Sami Hill of Helena.

Connors Mortuary in Townsend assisted the family with funeral arrangements. Funeral services will take place at 2 p.m. Monday, April 3, at the Faith Baptist Church in Townsend, at the corner of South Harrison and Jack Farm Road. Rev. Randy Neilson of the Alliance Bible Church will officiate. Burial at the Deep Creek Cemetery will follow the service.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Doug's life at a dinner served at the Alliance Bible Church at 110 E. Street in Townsend after the internment.

Ruth and her daughters are thankful for all the love and kindness they've received from so many during this difficult time. Doug was very appreciative of that support as well.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Alliance Bible Church, Box 1337, Townsend, MT or to the charity of one's choice.