David H. Duffy

Another cowboy rides away.  David Henry Duffy, 94 of Lewistown, died Sunday, March 14, 2021, at Strawberry Roan Stable Living where he resided for the past few years.  Dave was born September 26, 1926, at the family homestead near Fort Maginnis in the Judith Mountains.  Dave was the fourth of eight children born to Francis and Anna (Roberts) Duffy.  Dave grew up loving all things country and developed passions early in life for raising cattle, hunting, and the cowboy lifestyle.  Dave attended country schools and Fergus High School until his father died at which time, he discontinued his education to help on the family ranch.  Dave spent most of his life in the Lewistown area with short absences to work in Alaska and Billings.  During his life, Dave's work included truck driving, raising cattle, operating the Empire Café with his wife Florence, trailer sales, and custom haying with his daughters, nephews, grandson, and friends as hired hands.   Despite protests from his girls, Dave's love of buying, selling, and trading meant that every Sunday family drive included stops at used car and equipment lots across the state.

In addition to hunting and team roping at rodeos and local jackpots, Dave was involved in Friendship Lodge #37 (Freemasons), Central Montana Shrine Club, Ah-Ooga Patrol, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and he served as President of the North Central Montana Rodeo Association. Dave also enjoyed playing pool and cards and was quite talented at writing humorous, yet sentimental poems for family members. 

In 1949 Dave married Marceline Koch, and their marriage was blessed with daughter, Carla; Marceline died in 1951.  In 1954 Dave married Florence Degner, and their marriage was blessed with two more daughters, Connie and Karen; Florence died in 1989.  In 1992 Dave married Marilyn Smith; Marilyn died in 1995.  Dave married Sue Glenn in 2001; the marriage was dissolved in 2018. 

In addition to three wives, Dave was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Betty Harris, Tom Duffy, Dean Duffy (infant), Murray Duffy, Dorothy Mays, and Ruth Burnett. 

Dave is survived by his daughters and their spouses/partner Carla (Jim) Larson of Lewistown, Connie Duffy (Leo Laughlin) of Williston, ND and Karen (Trace) Sweeney of Lewistown, step-daughter Darlene (Oscar) Stene of Big Timber, his brother Chester Duffy of Lewistown, six grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren (plus two unborn), two step-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.  

Dave's daughters would like to thank Uncle Ches for watching out for their Dad the past 3 1/2 years.  

A spring memorial service is being planned. The Cloyd Funeral Home is assisting the family.  

Memorials may be made to Central Montana Rodeo Club, Shriners Hospital for Children or any charity of choice and may be left at Cloyd Funeral Home.  Happy Trails, Cowboy! Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.