Montana Clifford Hutton

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Montana Clifford Hutton, 89, of Libby on Monday, November 10, 2025, with his loving family by his side. Born and raised in Libby, he was the son of the late Harold and Evelyn (Maurer). Montana was a devoted father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many.
Montana joined the Army at age 20. The Army was where he hoped to learn more about the meat-cutting business, but they were eliminating its meat-cutter school. Instead, they trained him as a dietitian. Montana spent several years in the service creating menus for the Army hospitals.
After the service, in 1962, Montana moved to Connecticut and worked in a quality restaurant named Trivoli. It was at that time he became a Mason and was offered a job as a baker at a Connecticut Masonic Home. Years later in California, he won the Hiram award for "outstanding contributions" to his Masonic Lodge. While in Connecticut he had the opportunity of taking a cooking course from Joseph Amendoia, author of "The Bakers Manual", at the Culinary Institute of America in New York.
Montana wanted to move back West and having varied talents, then moved to San Jose, California and worked 10 years as a heavy equipment operator for Kaiser Cement. In 1973, his golden opportunity came. A man named Ralph Pickett put his San Jose butcher shop up for sale. Montana saw his chance and purchased the business, becoming the proud owner of Ralph's Smokehouse. Montana established himself as a butcher of choice offering his infamous smoked meats, including salmon, ham, bacon, sausage and homemade beef jerky. In all his spare time, Montana found time to have a catering business, where he spread his love of food with corporations, weddings and family reunions. One of his most meaningful was a fundraiser for children with disabilities.
Montana loved to compete, often entering different meat competitions including an annual Fire Fighters Chili Cookoff, where his Cajun Swamp Chili, made with alligator meat, won first place three years in a row. He took risks that ultimately paid off, leading him to live his life to the fullest. He loved giving back that included supporting children in need. That just might have been because he grew up in the middle of fifteen siblings on a small Montana ranch.
Throughout all these years, Montana never lost sight of wanting to someday retire and move back to his namesake, the state of Montana. He built his dream home on his portion of an original Hutton Homestead that was given to him by his father Harold (Happy) Hutton.
Retirement didn't seem to fit Montana's active lifestyle, so he opened up a small meat processing business out of his garage for the last 20 years. Montana loved the outdoors and nature; he was an active hunter, fisherman and fed his deer and chickens daily. He had two dogs that kept him company and on his toes.
Montana is survived by his children, Scott Kubiak (Christine) of Fremont, CA and Kim Mota (Mike) of San Jose CA and his ex-wife Cathy Vaccarella of San Jose, who continued to be an active part of his life; five grandchildren, who brought him so much joy, Nicholas, Brayden, Avery, Addyson, Luke and his two sisters, Margie Johnson and Judy VanEcke Tullener. He was predeceased by his siblings Virgeen Campbell, Betty Ross, Shirley Kihs, Marcia Rae Madison, Ardith, Chuck, Don, Jim, Jack, Larry, Kenneth, Maurice and Cleveland. He had many nieces and nephews and was loved dearly by many; he will be dearly missed.
The family would like to send our deepest thanks and gratitude to the doctors and nurses at the Cabinet Peaks Medical Center for their exceptional care and compassion during our difficult time.
Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared be visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.
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