Terrance Rafferty

Terry D. Rafferty, 75, of Sun River, a USAF and Montana Air National Guard retired aircraft mechanic, died Saturday, April 6, 2013 of COPD at a local hospice facility.A celebration of his life will take place on Saturday, July27, 2013, at 12:30 p.m. at the family ranch, 69 Birdtail Rd, Sun River, MT. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home.Terry was born on October 22, 1937 in Conrad, Montana to Edward Mike and Verna (Johnson) Rafferty. He lived in Cut Bank until he moved to Great Falls at an early age where he attended schools in Great Falls and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1956. After high school he went to work for the Montana Air National Guard. After 9-1/2 years he transferred to the USAF Reserve in McChord AFB in Tacoma, Washington. He worked as an aircraft mechanic for 30 years retiring in 1997. In 2000 he moved to Sun River and ranched with his wife on their own piece of paradise.He married Marlene Becker on June 2, 1959 in Helena, Montana.Terry enjoyed woodworking, fishing, and camping. He was a jokester as well as a loving husband and father who loved to spend time with his family and friends.He is survived by his wife, Marlene Rafferty of Sun River; his daughters, Shawn (Martin) Conroy of Helena, Sue (Andrew) Wilfong of Jacksonville, FL, and Lydia Johnson of Sun River; his sons, Dan (Sharon) Rafferty of Sacramento, CA and Dave (Mary) Rafferty of Spanaway, WA; his sisters, Jeanne (Luvern) Gaffney of Renville, MN and Judi Rafferty of Cut Bank; an uncle Richard (Dorothy) Johnson of Conrad; 15 grandchildren; and 5 great grandchildren with 3 more on the way.Terry was preceded in death by his parents.Memorials are suggested to the Fort Shaw Volunteer Fire Department, 140 Campbell StreetFort Shaw, MT 59443 or the Sun River Volunteer Fire Department, 295 Largent StreetSun River, MT 59483.Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.