Eugene 'Duge' Koon, 83

Eugene “Duge” Koon, 83, of Polson, surrounded by his loving family, died on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2013, at St. Joseph Medical Center, of natural causes.

He was born on June 26, 1930, in Malta to Russell and Helen Koon. He attended high school in Glasgow where he played football and was a star of the basketball team. Sports writers in the state referred to him as the “stocky, bespectacled warrior.” His senior year he moved to Missoula where he played varsity basketball at Missoula County High, making All State that year. Following graduation, he attended the University of Montana and remained an avid Grizzly fan for the rest of his life. 

In 1949, Duge married his high school sweetheart, Joan Sharkey, in Glasgow. Theirs was a love that knows no end and they often remarked that even a lifetime would not be long enough. They were the truest of soul mates. They lived in Kalispell, Missoula, Anaconda and Boise, Idaho, location of the first out-of-state super store, as Duge advanced in his career with Buttrey Foods. The family eventually settled in Great Falls when he was made vice president of sales and merchandising for the Buttrey Company, where he had a 32-year career. He had the admiration and respect of everyone he worked with through the years. 

Following his retirement, Duge and Joan lived in Bigfork for 10 years and then moved to Polson to be nearer family and where they have  resided until his death.

Duge and Joan were the proud parents of two sons and one daughter. He was also blessed with eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He defined his riches in life by the relationships he had with all of his family and friends. He was a man of great integrity and character and always lived by the highest of moral standards.

Duge enjoyed beating his sons, son-in-law and colleagues in tennis, golf and one-on-one basketball. He also enjoyed playing bridge and was an avid sports fan and an enthusiastic golfer who made his hole-in-one after he had lost most of his sight. He won two championships at Eagle Bend during his years living in Bigfork.

Duge was a faithful member of Congregational and Presbyterian churches in the communities in which he lived. He served on various boards and as a greeter and taking up the offering, and continued with this despite the difficulties he experienced with the loss of his sight. 

In the past few years it was necessary for Duge to have caregivers in order for him to remain at home. He was blessed to be cared for first and foremost by his devoted and loving wife, Joan, his daughter Debbie, and his sons when they were able to be here. He also had wonderful care from Luella Bushar, Jean Smith and Judy Sloan. The family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided to Duge.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan Koon; son, Ron, and Cathy, of Atlanta; daughter, Debbie, and Jim Ofstad, of Polson; and son, Dave, and Jeannine, of Kent, Wash.; grandchildren include Adam and Noah Koon, Tyler, Nathan and Andrew Ofstad, Marissa, Kyle and Jalen Koon; and great-grandchildren, Aiden Ofstad and Fiona Koon. He is also survived by one brother, Jerry, and Barb Koon, of Sun River, Ore.

 A memorial service will be held in Polson at a later date.

 Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Polson, 301 4th Ave. E. Polson, MT 59860; or a charity of the donor’s choice. 

Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com.