Lee Merle McCrea, age 94, of Wolf Point, MT went to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 9, 2014. Lee was born December 16, 1919 on the river bank in a tent at Frazer, MT. His parents Rupert McCrea and Eva (Lingle) McCrea had a family of 2 boys and 5 girls. A sister, Margaret, died at an early age.
The major part of Lee’s meager education was attained at Vida and Circle, MT. At 14 years of age Lee spent summers rounding up wild horses for the Collins Ranch. One summer Lee earned a very nice pony for his work. He traded his prize pony for a small shack to call home for his parents and sisters.
When Lee was 16 years old he became employed at Fort Peck on the dam project. It was there that he later met the love of his life at a country dance in Wheeler. He decided that evening that this was the girl he would spend the rest of his life with. Lee and Virginia Wilson were married on October 13, 1938, at the Methodist Church in Glasgow. They were blessed with two children, Gary and Peny.
After leaving Fort Peck, and at the suggestion of Virginia’s father, the couple bought 320 acres of farm land that bordered the Wilson farm. Lee built a 2-room house near Virginia’s parents who were living on Sheep Creek in McCone County. In 1945 the McCrea family moved to the Charley Smith Ranch near the mouth of RedWater in north McCone County. They managed the property for Smith during the following eight years. At that time the ranch was sold to the McCreas. They farmed and raised cattle for the next 30 years, before retiring and moving to Wolf Point. Their son Gary took over the ranch at that time.
Lee was an avid believer in co-operative enterprise and served as secretary of the Board of Directors of the Farmers Union Oil Co., of Wolf Point, MT for 30 plus years.
Although it was late in life when Lee and Virginia took up the game of golf, it became their main source of entertainment during the summer. They acquired many friends through this pastime.
They were blessed that so many of their extended family lived in or near Wolf Point. Family love and friendship made the declining years more enjoyable. They especially enjoyed their great-grandchildren, traveling to all their sporting events and concerts.
Lee was a charter member of the Wolf Point Elks Lodge 1764 and a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wolf Point. He was also a member of the Lions Club.
Lee is survived by his wife Virginia, his son Gary (Shirley) McCrea, daughter Peny (Darrell) Delger, grandchildren Kim (Kevin) Frazer of CO, Debra (Gene) Loendorf of Wolf Point, Julie McCrea of AZ, Lisa (Dan) Horsmon of MN, Terry (Vickie) Delger of Wolf Point, great-grandchildren Lee and Loni Loendorf, Zach (Sonya) Delger and Ivy (Donald) Urbaniak, Garrett and Kristen Horsmon, and Justin and Cassie Frazer. Lee was blessed with 3 great-great grandchildren; Emma, Evan and Leo. Lee’s brother, Clayton McCrea, preceded him in death. Surviving sisters are Katy Bollinger, Myrtle DeTray, Della Barger and Claris Rogerson.
Visitation will be 1:00-6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 17, 2014 at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel, 102 Custer Street, Wolf Point, Montana. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel, Wolf Point, Montana. Interment will follow at the Nickwall Cemetery on Nickwall Rd. in McCone County. Condolences for the family may be left at: www.claytonstevensonchapel.com . Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point is in charge of arrangements.