Morris Preston Blakeley

1934 - 2025

Morris Preston Blakeley of Absarokee passed peacefully on September 23, 2025, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Bozeman. He was 91.

He was born on July 4, 1934, to Louis Preston and Clara Gaustad Blakeley, at his grandmother's homestead on the Rosebud River. Morris began working at the age of 12 with local ranchers and always had a deep gratitude for those that mentored him during his youth. He attended school in Absarokee, excelled in football and basketball, and played trumpet in the band. After graduation, Morris attended college at Eastern Montana College in Billings where he played football. In 1952, he married Shirley Ann Hedrick, and together raised two daughters, Kirstie Carmen Blakeley and Susan Blakeley Handyside. Morris wore many hats when it came to work. Along with Shirley, they owned Rawhide Outfitters in Slough Creek and Rawhide Cabins in Cooke City. They went on to become managers for Silver Tip Ranch in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness which still runs today. Some of Morris's best memories were at his hunting camp in Slough Creek. Stories of encounters with grizzly bears, bull elk and good people were his favorite to retell. The family moved to Livingston where Morris and Shirley went into ranch management, putting together a cattle ranch called Inverness in Paradise Valley. During these years, Morris was a stranger to no one, and a friend to many. He was known for his bold personality and always looked people in the eye. He had grit and endurance and gave much credit and respect to his "good hands," which helped build his vision. Morris learned early in life the value of being strong and resilient. He had the grip of an iron man, even to the end.

Later in life, Morris married Lizbeth Pratt, and they had a son, Preston Aloysius Blakeley. During that time, Morris opened Calamity Jane Bar and Grille in Livingston, and spent many years in real estate, buying and selling ranches. In his retirement years, he enjoyed spending winters golfing in Mesquite, NV and Gold Canyon, AZ. He was an accomplished golfer who took part in many tournaments into his 80s.

Many will remember Morris as a man out of a classic western movie-a real cowboy with grit who could "do it all"-whether it was riding horses, driving cattle, hunting, or fishing. Morris traveled thousands of miles with horses, from driving teams, riding the backcountry with a pack string, or roaming the ranges of many ranches. He was a visionary with a deep-rooted love of the Western spirit. We will deeply miss his story telling, his unbounded toughness, and his tenderness and love for his family and friends.

He is survived by his beloved ex-wife, Shirley Hedrick Blakeley; his daughters Kirstie Blakeley and Susan Handyside (Perry); his son Preston Aloysius Blakeley; his grandchildren; Ashley Kremer (Scott), Sophia Davis (Taylor), Sage Handyside (Gwen), Prairie Handyside, Parker Handyside (Olivia), Sky Handyside (Danette), Presleigh Blakeley, Clara Blakeley and Hawkeye Blakeley; and many great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. His lifelong friends Lutz Andahazy and Clifford Espaland, as well as his special friend, Karen Hoss, will miss him dearly as well.

Morris is preceeded in death by his parents, brother Bill Blakeley, sister Terrie Blakeley Schaff, niece Krista Schaff Brown, and infant son Kurt Blakeley.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Cobblestone School, where Morris attended grammar and high school, and which now serves as a vibrant community center. A celebration of life will be held there in the summer of 2026. The Cobblestone School, PO Box 176, Absarokee, MT 59001 is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. URL: https://www.absarokeecobblestone.com/

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