Cloudy, 27° F
(Feb. 15, 1923 - Aug. 15, 2016)
Donald Elton Abarr, 93, died Aug. 15, 2016.
Don was born in a bobsled to Lillian May Jones and Carl Emmett Abarr near Plaza, North Dakota, on Feb. 15, 1923.
His parents moved to Billings and soon homesteaded in Dryhead, Montana. He attended school there for eight years.
Don was a decorated veteran of WWII. Spending 10 months of LST 270 in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, he saw one of the mushroom clouds from afar following the bombing of Japan.
After returning from the war, Don met his future wife, Annice Belden Somers, while working at her family’s ranch, the Pitchfork. With this marriage he “gathered up” stepdaughter Margot Somers. Don and Annice had three children, Lili, Rob and Kathy.
They later bought a ranch in McCloud, Montana.
After selling the ranch, Don purchased the Belfry Bar. During the following years, Don married Betty Greenough and returned to cowboy life.
Don spent most of his later years on his place in Grass Range, Montana, with his wife Dorothy. It was during this time that he wrote “Hoofbeats on the Wind — Tales of a Sagebrush Cowboy” and was honored as a Montana Centennial Cowboy.
He “set up camp” for nine years at Absaroka Assisted Living in Cody, and “laid down his last bedroll” at Powell Valley Care Center. He received great care and tender handling at both places.
Don is survived by sister Anna May Roan; daughter Lili (Jack) Turnell and family; daughter Kathy Abarr (Mark Madrid); grandsons Don (Jaye) Abarr and family, Louis (Rebecca) Abarr and family; and stepdaughter Margot Somers Belden.
He was preceded in death by his parents, five siblings, son Rob Abarr, and wives Annice and Dorothy.
Services will be held Saturday, Aug. 27, at 10 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1116 Park Ave., Meeteetse.
Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at the Rockvale Cemetery, near Edgar, Montana.
Memorial donations can be made in his honor to Powell Medical Foundation, 777 Ave. H, Powell, WY 82435, to support Chrysalis services.
