Warren L. Morehouse, 73, died on July 27, 2008, of complications from cancer.

Warren grew up in Hinsdale. The eighth of 11 children, he was born on Dec. 27, 1934, to Don and Laimi Morehouse.

Growing up, he spent a lot of time as an "assistant carpenter" for his father, where he learned how to be a pretty handy guy to have around the house. He also loved to hunt and fish.

After high school he attended Northern Montana College in Havre, where he met Maxine Ashton of Harlem. They married in 1955 and would have celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary on Aug. 14. Warren and Maxine had two boys; Mark was born in 1960 and Steve in 1962.

Warren had a 47-year career in education. He earned his Bachelor of Science in elementary education at Northern Montana College and a master of science in elementary education at Eastern Montana College in Billings.

Warren started his teaching career in Saco in 1955. In 1959, he became a teaching principal in East Glacier, followed by teaching principal positions in Saco and Absarokee. In 1966, the Morehouse family moved to Helena, where Warren had a highly successful career as principal of Smith, Hawthorne, Broadwater and Four Georgians schools. He also served as director of summer school and summer Head Start.

Warren was loved by thousands of students, parents, teachers and administrators. In 1985, he was recognized in Washington, D.C. as a U.S. Department of Education National Distinguished Principal. The same year, he was Montana Principal of the Year. His numerous other awards include the Adrian Langstaff Award for service to education, the Laurel Pennock Award for service to educators, Montana School Administrator of the Year, Montana Elementary Principal Service Award, Exchange Club Community Service Award and Civitan Club Community Service Award. As one of his numerous contributions to the community, he initiated the Coats for Kids program, which provided new, warm coats for hundreds of needy children. He was a leader among Montana principals, serving as the president of the Montana Association of Elementary Principals, the Montana representative to the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the state president of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and many other positions.

He retired from the Helena School District in 1990, and the same year was elected as Lewis and Clark County Superintendent of Public Instruction. He was re-elected twice, serving until 2002.

Warren loved outdoor activities. For 27 years, his family owned a cabin at Bridger Bowl, and since 1979 has also owned a cabin at Canyon Ferry, where Warren spent many, many wonderful weekends skiing, camping, boating and snacking with family and friends. He loved to "putter around" in his garage, and his yard and garden were his pride and joy. Warren and Maxine always enjoyed traveling, especially to visit their growing brood of grandchildren: Aylish, Tegan and Rowyn in Spokane, Wash., and Max, Grace and Sean in Virginia.

Since mid-2006, Warren fought fiercely against cancer and a succession of related conditions that complicated his treatment. Time after time he proved he was tougher than the diseases, but ultimately the tumors claimed him. He passed from this earth on Sunday in the company of his loving wife and sons.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Maxine; son, Mark (Kathy) of Virginia; son, Steve (Jody) of Spokane, Wash.; and six loving grandchildren who will miss him every day of their lives, Aylish (11), Tegan (9), Max (6), Grace (4), Rowyn (4) and Sean Warren (2). He is also survived by his sisters, Donna (Ken) Daniels of Boise, Idaho, and Marlyne Abel of Helena; brothers, Gene of Glasgow and Gary (Carol) of Thompson Falls; aunt, Signe Costin of Denton; numerous nieces and nephews; and a wealth of loving and supportive friends. His parents and brothers, Philip, Kenneth, Dale, Bill, Jack and Dick, preceded him in death.

The Morehouse family invites all who knew and loved Warren to celebrate his life at a memorial service at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at Plymouth Congregational Church, 400 S. Oakes, followed by a reception at 12:30 p.m. at the Colonial Red Lion Hotel, 2301 Colonial Drive. Interment will occur at 3 p.m. at Resurrection Cemetery, 3700 N. Montana Ave. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Cancer Treatment Center or Hospice, c/o St. Peter's Hospital Foundation, 2475 Broadway, Helena MT 59601, or to Coats for Kids, c/o Helena Exchange Club, P.O Box 1054, Helena MT 59601.

"Now cracks a noble heart. Goodnight, sweet prince-and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!" (Hamlet)