Richard Guymon

Richard Michael 'Mike' Guymon, 56, passed away at his home in Missoula on Nov. 22, 2006.

His generous heart and spirit will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Mike was born in Whitefish on Feb. 11, 1950, to Roberta Howke and Richard Guymon. After his parents' divorce, Mike was raised and educated in Whitefish by his father and stepmother Beverly.

At age 18, Mike enlisted in the Army at MEPS in Butte, and he fulfilled two tours of duty in Vietnam. During his first tour, in the 192nd Aviation Company Assault Helicopter Unit, he qualified as a UH-1 repairman. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Aircraft Crewman Badge (Permanent Award), Expert Badge with rifle M-16 bar, and Sharpshooter Badge with rifle M-14 bar. He was honorably discharged in 1972.

After his tours of duty were over, Mike returned to Whitefish. He married his first wife, Sandra Bodeen, in Anaconda. In 1975, their daughter Amy Lynn was born.

Mike was remarried in 1980 to Gail Hollo, in Kalispell. To this union three children were born, Amber, Eric and Kris. After their divorce, Mike took up permanent residence in Missoula to be close to his children.

Mike loved the four seasons immensely, whether he was snow skiing, horseback riding, fishing, hiking or water skiing. He loved to tell of his adventures while on fishing trips in his canoe. The squirrels and chipmunks were his favorites. He would make it an adventure for them to hunt for his hidden treats.

His love of Mother Nature and all her glory was captured in the amazing photos he took. He never went anywhere without his camera and equipment. His photos of the bald eagle perched and in flight are absolutely beautiful.

Mike felt the same way about his children and their sporting events. He loved to capture their activities on videotape and photos. He was very proud of all of them.

Mike spent most of his working career in the trucking business. He drove log trucks, chip trucks and also did some over-the-road driving.

Mike will be remembered for all the times he gave of himself to others. At 50, he donated much of his time to ski lessons at Marshall Mountain in Missoula. He also photographed the Gelande Jump at Snowbowl. These pictures still remain on the walls at the Last Run Inn at Snowbowl. Mike was also an avid supporter and member of several organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans Commander Clubs, and the U.S. Ski Team Foundation.

He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; a stepgrandfather; and his fellow fallen Vietnam veteran, Thomas England (his stepuncle). He was also preceded by a very special lady that he called his other mother, Betty Galley, who passed away this spring.

Mike is survived by his father, Richard Guymon, of Eureka; stepmom Beverly, of Eureka; his mom, Roberta Howke, of Washington; five brothers and their families, Scott, John, Shawn, Kevin and Aaron, and two sisters and their families, Jenny Brauer and Leila Brockie, all of the Flathead Valley; his four children, Amy and her children Samantha Tannisha, Brina and Dasan, of Hamilton, Amber Sears, serving in the U.S. Navy at Lemoore Naval Base in California, and Eric and Kris, of Missoula. Also, the family would like to make special mention of Mike's friends and comrade, Daryl and Cindy Weldele, of Eureka.

Cremation took place in Missoula. A celebration of Mike's life will take place in the spring in Missoula.