Womack Obituaries
Montana
Compiled by Roger Womack
* indicates connections in my database
* KATHERINE RUTH WOMACK
nee LICHTE, Jul.
11, 1925 – Jun. 15, 2009
Ruth Womack died June 15 at Madison
Valley Manor in Ennis at the age of 83.
She was born in Abe, Mont., along the
Upper Madison on July 11, 1925, on her parents' homestead, the Lichte ranch.
This ranch, near Wall Creek Ranger Station, was the source of many fond
memories. She loved her frequent visits to this spot with her family.
After attending first grade in a
one-room school on Ruby Creek, she continued her education in Virginia City,
graduating in 1943. She then got a teaching degree from what was then Eastern
Montana College in Billings. This lead to a two-year stint as a second grade
teacher in Manhattan.
In 1947 she married Pete Womack. They
built their house along the Madison River in Ennis and raised four children,
Pete Jr., Greg, Tim and Teresa.
She was preceded in death by her
husband, Pete, and son, Greg.
Survivors include her children, Pete
Jr. of Astoria, N.Y., Tim of Ennis, and Teresa of White Salmon, Wash.;
grandchildren, Shoshone and Brett Womack, and Dane and Chelsea Ludwig; sisters,
Dorothy Smith of Reed Point, and Vivian Wills of Torrance, Calif., and brother,
Gary Lichte of Tucson, Ariz.
Memorials are preferred to the Madison
Valley Library; to the Lions Club Park in Ennis; or to the Madison Valley
Historical Society.
*
JOHN JAMES WOMACK, Sep. 26, 1920 – Nov. 11, 2011Major General John James Womack, 91
That big booming voice that called out to so many on the streets of Dillon
was silenced on 11-11-11. The General led his last command on Veterans Day after
suffering a severe stroke on Sunday, Nov. 6.
John “Jim” Womack was born in Ennis, Mont., on Sept. 26, 1920, to
Frances and Emmett Womack. He was a 1938 graduate of Ennis High School and
earned his degree from Montana State Normal College in 1947. He was awarded a
masters degree in education in 1955.
Jim met Vivian Marie Love and they were married in November 1942. There were
four boys born to this union. Vivian and Jim lost their two middle sons. Jon D
died in 1970 with a brain tumor. Joe, founder of the Dillonite Daily, died in
2000 from complications of type 1 diabetes.
He enlisted in the Army in April of 1942. He was commissioned a second
lieutenant in 1945 at Fort Bennington, Ga. He joined the Montana National Guard
in May of 1949. He served as a Company and Battalion Commander.
In 1969, Col. Womack was appointed to the office of the Adjutant General of
the Montana National Guard. He was promoted to the rank of Major General and
held that office until his retirement in January of 1981.
Jim had a variety of business interests in the area, including founding the
Dillon Cable TV system, Carter Creek Mining Company, Pacific Mining, Minerals
Engineering and many other enterprises with his long time partners and close
friends, Carl Davis and John Erb. Many remember him as their teacher and many
others remember him as principal Womack.
His hobbies include going to garage and estate sales. He was an avid
collector of books on western history. He co-founded the Western Historical
Library with Steve Hamilton in Three Forks with over 14,000 volumes at present
time.
The general leaves behind his wife of 69 years he lovingly called ‘Little
Grammie’; sons, Jim and Jack (wife Kathy); daughter-in-law, Brenda Womack;
adopted daughter, Juanita Browne; grandchildren, Jon, Dillon, Jennifer, Jeff,
Carson, Kylie, Alexa and Wyatt; two great grandchildren; and many nieces,
nephews, cousins and many, many special family and friends.
As his request, cremation has taken place. A visitation will be held Tuesday
evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at Brundage Funeral Chapel. Services will be Wednesday,
Nov. 16, at 1 p.m. at the Dillon National Guard Armory. Refreshments to follow.
A private internment will take place at a later date.