Early Sunday morning, May 24, 2009, Frank Chaffee McElwain passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family. Those who have had the privilege to meet him know that the word 'stranger" was not part of his vocabulary. He would strike up a conversation with people who crossed his path and was always willing to share "Montana" with each of them. This gracious man influenced so many individuals on this earth, and his legacy will continue to touch many.

Frank McElwain, 86, was born April 9, 1923, in Deer Lodge, to Lee and Johanna McElwain. He has always been proud of his roots as a "prison-city kiddie." He attended Powell County schools, spending summers working in the fields of Helmville and Ovando.

He attended the University of Montana, but his studies were interrupted by World War II. Frank enlisted in the Navy and served as a sonar specialist.

On Aug. 25, 1945, 10 days after the end of World War II, Frank married Marjorie Harrison at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. This began a love story lasting more than six decades.

The couple returned to Montana, where Frank finished his degree in secondary math education, attending both Montana State College in Bozeman and the University of Montana. While teaching, Frank attended three years of summer school at UM and received a master's degree in mathematics.

Mr. McElwain's first teaching job brought the couple to Big Timber, where he taught and coached many Sheepherders at Sweet Grass County High School. From there they moved to Kalispell, where Frank again taught math at Flathead High School and coached many Braves from 1952 to 1962.

The family, which now included five children, moved to Missoula where Frank again taught math at both Hellgate and Sentinel high schools, as well as coached football, basketball and track teams of both Spartans and Knights. He later was the athletic director of Missoula County High Schools. Frank's last school position was as director of student activities for MCHS, which also included Seeley-Swan High School. In this job, he oversaw not only the schools' athletics but also the other school activities, including clubs, music, speech and debate and even cheerleading.

Frank did not stay retired very long before he went to work at Beach Transportation, where he worked with many of his good buddies. Frank was instrumental in expanding Beach Transportation from strictly school buses to the over-the-road charters that are now known as the Beachliners.

Frank was active as a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He was a charter member of the Southside Lions Club in Missoula and was also in the Masons. He was on the Missoula City Parks and Recreation board and a long-standing member of the Community Hospital advisory board. He was a member of the Montana Officials' Association. He was most recently a member of the Courthouse Gym "Old Men's' workout group and the Press Box Coffee Club.

He was very devoted to his faith and served on the Vestries of the Episcopal churches in each of his parishes.

Honors included an induction into the Montana Officials' Association Hall of Fame and the Montana High School Association Meritorious Service Award for service in student activities. He received the Old Pro Award at the 2000 Sports Awards Banquet in Missoula. He was also given the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce George Award, which honors people who "didn't let George do it," - he did it himself.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harry, Hugh and Joe McElwain; sister, Nina Nielsen; and grandson, Mike McElwain.

Frank is survived by his wife, Marjorie, in Missoula; children, Dan McElwain of Spokane, Marsha Vick of Polson, Janie Haight of Missoula, Mary Ann Sullivan of Butte, and Jim McElwain of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; and sons- and daughters-in-law, Jana McElwain, Bob Vick, Mike Haight, Dan Sullivan and Karen McElwain. Frank's grandchildren are Scott, Tim and Tara McElwain; Lindsay, Joey and Robbie Haight; Kelly Sullivan; Shannon Panisko; Maureen Anderson; and Hanna, Lizzi and Jerret McElwain. He also leaves 10 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Missoula. A second memorial service will be at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 110 Sixth Ave. E., in Polson. Receptions will follow both services at the churches. Private burial services will be held in Polson at Lakeview Cemetery.

The family would be pleased for donations in Frank McElwain's name to be made to Special Olympics of Montana (SOMT) at P.O. Box 3507, Great Falls, MT 59403 (SOMT.org); or to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church at 110 Sixth Ave. E., Polson, MT 59860.

Messages may be sent to the family online by selecting "Garden City" at www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.

"Frank spent a couple of his last days with us at the finish line at Dornblaser Track visiting many friends, making new friends and cheering for and encouraging young people, just as he has done during his life. He will be missed."