- Date Of Birth: February 26, 1932
- Date Of Death: June 25, 2012
- State: Montana
St. Ignatius – Fred LeRoy Gilleard, 80, passed peacefully away at his home after battling cancer on June 25th. Fred was born to Clay & Ellen (Smart) Gilleard on February 26, 1932, in Brady, MT. He lived in Brady with his parents, brother, & 2 sisters until he was 10 when the family moved to Danville, Iowa. At the end of WWII, they resided in San Diego for several years before returning back to Montana where Fred graduated from Ronan High School in 1951. In November 1951, Fred married Verla Johnson, who blessed him with 3 kids, Debra, Rocky & Connie.
Fred worked as an iron worker for 20 years and became the proud owner of the Buffalo Bar in Ravalli in 1966. He owned & operated several bars, most notably The Stockman’s Bar in Arlee, MT.
Fred enjoyed golfing, playing cribbage, gambling, fishing, & being camp cook at hunting camp every year. He spent the last 25 years of his life with Joanne Gariepy in St. Ignatius, MT.
Grandad, as Fred was lovingly titled, is survived by 16 grandkids & 26 great-grandchildren & his Children & their spouses, Carl & Debbie Saunders, Rocky & Chris Gilleard, Roger & Connie Dunn, Fred & Linnea Gariepy, Charley & Karolynn Gariepy, Ann Gariepy, Laurie & Grover Marshall & his sister Marrion Abbott.
