Emmett J. Whalen

My life in your life and yours in mine was a thing well done, for that I am grateful. - From our beloved father, E.J. WhalenBrigadier General Emmett John Whalen, 92, passed away August 19, 2017 in Great Falls, Montana. Emmett (E.J.) was a humble man of great accomplishment who left a lasting mark on a wide spectrum of people. His was a life well lived.Born Dec. 1, 1924 in Helena, Montana, E.J. was raised in the Deer Lodge Valley east of Anaconda, Montana from 19261942. He attended the one-room Lost Creek County School and elementary and high school in Anaconda. In 1942, E.J. began a 41-year career as a military pilot.In 1950 E.J. married his beloved wife, Ina May Tucker of Belt, Montana. They were together for 61 wonderful years. E.J. and Ina May were dedicated parents, raising six children and creating many treasured family memories while camping, rafting, spending time at their cabin in the Little Belt Mountains, gathering for Christmas, and attending family reunions.E.J. attended colleges in California, Colorado, Utah, and Montana earning BA and MA degrees. He excelled at, and greatly enjoyed, teaching high school mathematics in Conrad, MT and was Professor of Math at the College of Great Falls. Education was important to E.J. He was involved in the school activities of his children and supported their higher education pursuits. After retirement he continued to teach schoolchildren and adults about the Battle of the Little Bighorn and Mountain Bluebirds. He also tutored struggling school children in math.In addition to a full-time teaching career, E.J. kept flying, logging over 5,200 hours of flight time in 20 different military aircraft. E.J. was the epitome of the citizen soldiera modern day Minuteman. He quit high school to join the army in 42. As a 19 year old he was flying a B24, staged and waiting to cross the Pacific for the invasion of Japan. After WWII he joined the Montana Air National Guard (MANG) in 49 and became a fighter pilot. E.J. started in a P51 (his favorite plane) and flew the F86, F89, F102, and F106 (400 mph to 1,400 mph).E.J. loved the 120th and served as Group Commander from 1965-79. He had deep respect for the unit and took great pride in the members of the MANG and what they accomplished, including: the Distinguished Flying Unit Award 70, 77, 79, 80; the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 75, 81; the Spatz Trophy 75; first place in the William Tell Competition 74, 76 and second place* in 78. E.J. went full time with the MANG in 72 and completed his career serving as Assistant Adjutant General from 1979-84, making him one of the last WWII pilots who was still flying in the military. E.J. received the Legion of Merit, authorized by an act of U.S. Congress, in 84. In E.J.s final days he was honored with the Distinguished Service Medal at MANGs 70th Anniversary in July 2017. He was happy.E.J. believed in giving back to his community through service as a Little League coach, Montana Officials Association referee, AARP drivers training instructor, Red Cross volunteer, Chamber of Commerce member, Cascade County Election Judge, and a member of the National Board of Directors of the National Guard Association. E.J. was a devout Catholic and spent many years serving as a lector at Saint Gerard and Our Lady of Lourdes churches.E.J. had a deep love for the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, rafting, hunting and camping. In retirement he and Ina May traveled the world. E.J. became a self-taught master at woodworking. His family and friends treasure the many beautiful pieces of furniture he crafted. From an early age, E.J. loved reading and poetry. Most evenings he would be found engrossed in a book. In retirement he also supported the comeback of the Mountain Bluebird. E.J. built and maintained hundreds of bluebird houses on three different routes in Montana. With the help and company of Ina May and an occasional granddaughter, E.J. fledged tens of thousands of bluebirds into the wide Montana skies.E.J.s greatest joy was his family who love and miss him deeply. E.J. dearly missed Ina May, who preceded him in death on October 22, 2011. He looked forward to joining her in heaven.E.J. is survived by his son, Mike Whalen of Whitefish, MT who was his devoted caregiver these past four years; five daughters, Theresa and husband Brian Leland of Bozeman, MT, Peggy Floro of Petersburg, AK, Cecilia and husband Spencer Freeman of Colbert, WA, Monica Whalen and husband Dan Hinckley of Salt Lake City, UT, and Cynthia Whalen of Seattle, WA; six grandchildren, Tonya Freeman, Roisin Whalen, Becky Freeman, Meghan Leland, Brianne Leland, and Molly Pace; and great granddaughters, Penelope Whalen-Dega and Hazel Ann Wilburn.Funeral Liturgy will be held Thursday, August 31 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, with a Rosary being said at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. Inurnment will be after the service at Mount Olivet Cemetery, followed by a reception at University of Providence Student Center in the Absolon Lounge. Arrangements are by Schnider Funeral Home.Memorials may be made in Emmett's name to an organization or charity of the donor's choice.