Jack C. Throckmorton

Jack C. Throckmorton, 90, of Great Falls, a retired sporting goods store owner and Navy veteran, died of natural causes April 6 at a local care facility.
His memorial service is 11 a.m. Saturday at Faith Lutheran Church. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Jack was born in Great Falls, Mont., on July 11, 1918, to Justina (Judge) and Edward Throckmorton. Justina later married Charles Dowell, who helped raise Jack.
After attending local schools, Jack graduated from Great Falls High in 1937. He will always remain a loyal Bison fan!
He joined the Navy and served on Treasure Island and the USS Okanogan during World War II.
In 1942, Jack married Margaret Berg in San Francisco. They eventually had three daughters, Sheryl, Jan and Jill.
Upon returning to Great Falls after his discharge from the Navy in 1945, he went to work for Murphy-Maclay Hardware. Shortly after, he and Tony Dalich started Allsports Supply Co., which they operated for 22 years. He later worked for the Great Falls Vo-Tech and then Carl Weissman & Sons.
Jack was involved in many aspects of community service, including United Way, Boy Scouts, Red Cross, Commander of American Legion Post 3 and member of VFW Post 1087, YMCA and the park board. He was also on the city council.
His true passion was the development of Kings Hill ski area and the promotion of skiing. He was president of the Great Falls Ski Club, served on the ski patrol and skied into his late 80s. Jack thoroughly enjoyed his trips with the Ski Bums.
Jack spent many enjoyable hours tending his greenhouse and his gardens. Friends, neighbors and his church benefited from his labors.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Margaret Throckmorton of Great Falls; daughters Sheryl Friden of Great Falls, Jan (Terry) Cosgrove of Helena and Jill (Mark) Harris of Zillah, Wash.; grandchildren Mark (Teresa) Friden, Paul (Lance Bonds) Friden, Benji Cosgrove, Tanner Cosgrove, Kim Cosgrove, Chris Knowles, Amy (Jason) Root, Melissa (Rick) Aguilar and Matt Harris; and five great-grandchildren, Wyatt Friden, Alec Friden, Jackson Cosgrove, Sarah Root and Evan Root.
He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, brother Harry "Bus" Throckmorton; son-in-law Peter Friden; and a great-grandson, Chase Morris.
Goodbye, Dad - we hope your heavenly gardens are near the Dairy Queen!
The family suggests memorials to Faith Lutheran Church, 3125 5th Ave. S., Great Falls, MT 59405; or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Condolences may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.