Gerald Mangold passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 surrounded by his family after a lengthy illness with pulmonary fibrosis, induced by war-time exposure to asbestos in WWII. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at the Fairfield Community Hall at 11 a.m. with a dinner to follow.

He was born in Baker Montana on December 29, 1925 to Walter and Olga Mangold.  They lived in Baker until 1941, when they moved to ‘Chicken Coop Flats’ on the Fairfield Bench. Gerry’s father Walter homestead one of the last homesteads in Montana. He was very proud of the fact that the homestead is still in the family today.

Gerry attended school in Power and graduated in 1943. During his senior year of high school he drove the school bus while himself a student.

In 1944 at the age of 18 he joined the Navy during WWII.  He was stationed on the USS Meriwether in the South Pacific as a radar operator with his battle station being on a 40-mm cannon. During his tour, he was credited for shooting down a Japanese Kamikaze plane that nearly hit his ship. He was later honorably discharged and moved back to the Fairfield Bench Homestead and continued farming, acquiring more land as the years pasted. 

He married Dorothy Bloom in 1958 and together they continued to farm and ranch.  They milked cows for years and then sold the dairy herd and raised registered Hereford cattle, crops and kids. Steve, Scott, Marcie and Todd spent most of their time following their dad, helping and getting in the way as only farm kids can do. Gerry’s greatest joy in life was when his grandkids and great-grandkids would stay on the farm, giving him a hand with chores.

He was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet and he taught all his kids and any kids that came to the farm to respect our country and to respect those who defend it.  He was a 66-year member of the American Legion and served as Post Commander for several years. He served on the Power Public School Board as well as the FHA Board.

He will be dearly missed by his family, who are forever grateful for his example of selflessness and love.

He is survived by his children, Steve (Kit), Scott (Kathy), Marcie (Richard), Todd (Samantha), Dorothy, brother, Trever (Joann), sister-in-law, Lavern, and by his grandchildren and great grandchildren, and many, much loved nieces and nephews, who were all exceptional in his eyes.

He was proceeded in death by his mother and father; brothers, Hollis and Leon;  sister, Lorane, and of course by his two great saddle horses Ribbon and Bugs, and one fine and faithful dog, Chubby.

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