Daren Joy Vick passed away from cancer surrounded by his family at Peace Hospice on June 2nd. A visitation will be held Thursday, June 11th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Rose Room Chapel at Croxford Funeral Home. The Funeral service will take place on Friday, June 12th at 1:00pm in the same location with burial at Highland Cemetery to follow with military honors performed at the graveside service.

Daren was born May 5th, 1927 in Polson, MT. After graduating from Great Falls High School in 1945, Daren served in the U.S. Army 340th Engineer Regiment in Korea until January 1947. A favorite story was when he got a bulldozer stuck in the ocean and his officer told him he better figure out how to get it out or be prepared to write the U.S. Government a big check. He got it out. He received the Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal.

After serving in the military, Daren and Dolores Babst were married in Great Falls on October 30th, 1950. Although they started married life with almost nothing, they were able to build the beautiful farm that their sons continue to farm. They built their first home on land with a handshake-agreement with their neighbor, Mr. Cameron,that they would begin to pay for the land whenever they could afford to. Daren especially loved the harvest and until just a couple of years ago, was still hauling grain in his black Peterbuilt into the Great Falls elevators. Daren always enjoyed showing his farm to his city friends and hosted several agricultural exchange students, many who returned to visit.

Daren was very active in the community. He served on several boards including Montana Farm Bureau, Columbus Hospital, Gift of Life, First Interstate Bank, Meadow Lark Country Club, McLaughlin Research International and Great Falls Chamber of Commerce. He was president of Shrine Motosikl Tauf and president of the Shrine Clowns. He loved classic cars and spent many hours working on the Shrine clown car. He was a member of New Hope Christian Church, Round Lot Investments, Score Investment Club, Skunkwagon Car Club, Marketing Club Great Falls, Elks, Montana Grain Growers and Military Affairs Committee.

Daren was very proud of the education his children and grandchildren received at Power Public Schools, and was an avid supporter of sports and other activities. Over the last several years, Daren funded major projects at the school including lights and a “crow’s nest” with indoor seating for the football field; irrigation, landscaping and a sitting area for students in front of the school, the Teacher of the Year award, provided an activity bus and made major donations toward improvements in the school gym. For several years he and Dolores funded a scholarship for students attending Montana State University. Recently, they donated a Suburban to Great Falls High School.

Over the years Daren had collected many classic cars, and had a special affection for the Mustang. He loved parades, both as a clown and as a car collector. He and Dolores also took many trips together, including cruises through the Panama Canal and most recently on the Rhine River. They often went to Hawaii, including one special trip in which they took all of their children and grandchildren. Daren was an avid golfer, and especially enjoyed rounds with his buddies at Meadowlark Country Club, making small wagers along the way. Garage sailing was one of his favorite activities. Each Christmas, he and his siblings would buy each other garage sale gifts with a $10 limit, some of which have become family heirlooms.

At his recent 88th birthday, Daren shared with his family how fortunate and proud he was to have such a caring family. His family was of upmost importance, and over the years he supported his children and grandchildren in so many ways to improve their lives. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, daughter Deb Shellerud (Gary), sons Duane (Faye Fitzgerald), Steve (Cheryl) and Kevin (Shelly), 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, a sister Mary Jane Zollars and a brother, John Vick. He was preceded in death by his parents Melvin and Iva Vick, sisters Jean Juelfs and Lois Shafer, and brother Merle Vick.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Great Falls Shrine Children’s Transportation Fund, 20 3rd N, Great Falls, MT 59401; New Hope Christian Church, 901 Ave B NW, Great Falls, MT 59404; or a charity of your choice.

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