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Joseph McKamey Obituary
Great Falls —Joseph Michael McKamey, 62, a retired M.A.N.G. firefighter and longtime rancher, passed away peacefully in his home on February 18, 2014, after a four year battle with prostate cancer.
Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 21 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm at Croxford Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be Saturday the 22nd at 10 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1401 9th St NW. Committal with military honors will follow in Highland Cemetery.
Joe was born on August 18, 1951 to George and Catherine Ada (Turner) McKamey in Great Falls, MT. Joe grew up working on the McKamey Ranch and attended Emerson Elementary and Paris Gibson schools in Great Falls. While attending Cascade High School, he was active in band and F.F.A. He graduated from CHS in 1969.
In 1969, Joe joined the Montana Air National Guard and was assigned to the 120th Civil Engineering Flight, specializing in Crash Fire Rescue. In 1972, he graduated from Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho with an associate's degree in welding. He attended BYU in Provo, Utah and earned a bachelor's degree in manufacturing and engineering technology in 1973. From 1976-1978, Joe served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Arkansas-Little Rock Mission. After his mission he returned to the McKamey Ranch and would continue to work there until his illness prevented him from doing so. Joe retired from the Air National Guard in 1995 and from firefighting in 2011.
Joe married Laverne (Ernie) Farnsworth March 7, 1981. From their union, Joe and Ernie were blessed with four daughters: Kori, Kayla, Kimberly, and Karissa. They divorced in 1995.
Joe married Corliss Johnson on October 2, 1999 in Cascade, MT.
Joe was active in his community and church.
Joe is survived by his wife of almost 15 years, Corliss McKamey; his children Kori (Luke) LaLiberty, Kayla (Jared) Peterson, Kimberly (Van) Oakes, Karissa McKamey, Melissa (Mike) Robohn, Kay (Leo) Wild, Dan (Cara) Johnson, Hayley (John) Barnes, Sarah (Casey) Anderson; 15 grandchildren; sisters Claire Roehm, Ruth Starkey, and brothers Les McKamey, Alvin McKamey and their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials in Joe's name can be made to the Children's Receiving Home, PO Box 1061, Great Falls, MT 59403 or to The Muscular Dystrophy Association, PO Box 78960, Phoenix, AZ 85062-8960.
Condolences to the family may be shared at www.croxfordfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph McKamey
February 24, 2014
To the McKamey family - (Kay, Les and Claire). I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother. I know you believe he is in a better place where he can rest from all his earthly cares and troubles - but his blessing is a cause of sorry to loved ones left behind. May you find comfort in the gospel's promise of a future reunion. Sheila Kolste
DALE ANDERSON
February 24, 2014
My thoughts and prayers go out to Joe's family at this time of loss. I will always have great memories of my time with Joe.
February 23, 2014
Our deepest sympathies go out to your entire family. May you hold on tightly and never let go of all of your precious memories. Love, Ray, Lori and Brian Zurich
Wanda Meer
February 23, 2014
My heart is with you all. I think of Alvin and Ruth quite often. Being children together, I still feel the bond of our families on the Smith River. God's Love be with you now and always.
Leah Frank
February 21, 2014
The time we spent with your family in October will always be a special memory. Joe went out of his way to share his time and energy with us so that we would know him better. We learn to count the minutes as precious.
Sandra Pepos
February 21, 2014
Corliss, Kori and the entire McKamey Family~ Thoughts and prayers to all of you. Joe's gentle demeanor will be missed.
Emil (Paul) Lindblom
February 21, 2014
We are so sorry to hear of Joe's passing!
Paul & Diane Lindblom
February 21, 2014
I am truly sorry to hear about your loss. He seemed to be a very mellow non-judgemental kind hearted soul. I hope the comfort of God will help you during this difficult time. Thoughts and Prayers to the entire Joe family and his friends.
Stephen Belisle
February 21, 2014
So sorry to hear about Joe. He was a kind and gentle man who touched many lives. My sincere condolences to his family. May you be comforted by God's love.
Vince Konesky
February 20, 2014
Corliss and family :
Wow ! So sorry to hear about Joe.
He was an awesome friend and fellow Guardsman for his entire tour. Our prayers go out to each of you.
February 20, 2014
Our family is so sorry to hear about your brothers passing! Because he was younger than us we didn't know him as well as Claire and Leslie. We are thinking about you! The Jurasek Family - Connie, Pat, Julie, Curt & Joel
DAVE HANSEN
February 20, 2014
THIS MAN WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE MY BEST FRIEND FOR MORE YEARS THAN I CAN COUNT. HE WAS WITH ME THROUGH GOOD TIMES AND BAD...THE BEST MAN AT MY WEDDING AND THE BEST MAN I EVER KNEW ..HE LED BY EXAMPLE AND NEVER SAW BAD IN ANYBODY...I WILL ALWAYS THINK OF HIM AND MISS HIM FOREVER...MAY THE GOOD LORD BE WITH HIS FAMILY AND MAY THEY KNOW HE IS NOT GONE BUT LOOKING OVER THEM ALWAYS ...I WILL MISS YOU FOREVER JOE AND AM PROUD TO HAVE YOU FOR MY BEST FRIEND FOR OVER 50 YEARS....
Wes Teterud
February 20, 2014
I have fond memories of serving in FFA leadership with Joe, getting bum lambs from his ranch for FFA projects and viewing him as a good man. My condolences to his family
E. Gilbert
February 20, 2014
R.I.P. Joe you will be missed by many.
Davey Jones
February 20, 2014
Today is a sad day in my life because I lost a friend that I have had for 45 years. My condolences to Corlis, Les, Alvin and extended family. To Joe's children I hope they heal soon, their Dad was a special guy!
Dian Nevins
February 20, 2014
This gentle man will be missed by so many... my prayers and thoughts are with the family... he will be with you when you need him...
February 20, 2014
rip joe
david m
Hank McDunn
February 20, 2014
"Joe" Your family, the Ranch & the Fire Service will miss you! I will always remember the times at MANG.
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Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory1307 Central Avenue, Great Falls, MT 59401
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