Gerald (Jerry) Allen Buckhouse, 90, of Bonner passed away Monday, February 23, 2026, at the Springs Footsteps Memory Care in Missoula with his loving wife and daughter by his side.

Jerry was born on October 23, 1935, at St. Patrick’s hospital in Missoula, MT to George and Clara Buckhouse. He joined older brother Lloyd, and younger brother Norman arrived 4 years later. Jerry spent most of his childhood growing up in Milltown and Bonner. The family lived for a short while in Butte, MT, where family stories include Clara tying Lloyd and Jerry to the clothesline to play while she tended to baby Norman. Bonner, however, was his lifelong home. He attended Bonner Grade School for 8 years and made lifelong friends. In 1955, he graduated from Missoula County High School, the current Hellgate High School, becoming the 1st of 3 generations to graduate from that building. That same year, Jerry began his employment with the Anaconda Company in Bonner. He worked for 1 year, then enlisted into the Army where he served from 1956-1958. He was stationed in Germany where he purchased his prized German model Kodak camera, which began a bit of a photographic hobby and later treated family members to numerous slideshows of his work.

After his Honorable Discharge, he returned to work for Anaconda. Jerry began as a green chain puller, a “hot pond” man, and in the glue factory. In 1960 he became a saw fitter in the saw filing department. In 1970, he was awarded the job of filing room benchman and remained at that job until his retirement in October of 1997 after 42 years of service.

In 1960, Jerry married the love of his life, Mary Ann Blackman, secretary for the foresters at the Anaconda Company. They were married in Missoula and initially lived in company housing with rent at a whopping $25.00 a month. Their daughter, Melanie, was born in 1965. The three of them continued to live in company housing. Jerry’s parents, George and Clara, lived and ran their café, George’s Café, just across the street. Mary Ann worked days and Jerry worked nights in those days, so he had the task of taking Melanie to dance class during the day. He may well have been the first “dance dad” in Missoula.

Jerry and Mary Ann were able to save enough to purchase a home lot just east of Bonner and built their dream home on Hellgate Drive in 1972. They remained in that home throughout their lives, until Jerry needed to move into Memory Care at the Springs in February of 2024.

Throughout his working years, Jerry was very active in the local community. He served on the Bonner School Board, was active in the local Lions Club chapter in which his father, George, was a founding member, and enjoyed numerous years in both bowling and golf leagues. He was a lifelong parishioner at St. Ann’s parish in Bonner. Jerry had strong Union roots as well. He was a proud member of the Lumber Workers and Production Union local #3038, serving various union officer roles throughout his tenure working for the Anaconda Company. This union legacy he passed on to his daughter Melanie.

Jerry enjoyed Montana’s outdoors. He spent many summers fishing on the numerous lakes in Western Montana and many autumns out in those woods hunting deer, elk and, on one lucky hunt, a moose. He and Mary Ann frequently camped and began traveling. Jerry was well known for his “little drives” that typically ran 200–300-mile loops in a Sunday afternoon.

After his retirement, Mary Ann and Jerry continued their travels in their motor home. Jerry drove them literally all over the country and beyond. They drove to Alaska and back. Twice. One fall, they headed north to Hwy 1 in Canada, drove across southern Canada to Maine, down the east coast to Florida and then across to 29-Palms, California. Mary Ann’s brothers and wives, Fred and Sharon Blackman and Bob and Stephanie Blackman, joined them on many road trips and several winters in 29-Palms, CA. While winters were in the south, springs and summers were in Bonner where Jerry enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, Benjamin and Annika. He was a constant audience member at all their various performances.

In February 2023, Jerry received the challenging diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. He remained in his home for a full year, still raking pine needles and picking up pinecones in Bonner until it was no longer safe. He moved into the Springs in February 2024. He remained in their loving care until his passing. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the incredible Memory Care staff at the Springs.

Jerry was famous for his dry sense of humor, his one-armed hugs and his ‘Buckhouse brush off’. He was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and community member. He will be deeply missed by many.

Survivors include his loving wife Mary Ann, daughter Melanie Charlson, grandchildren Benjamin Charlson and Annika Charlson, numerous nieces, nephews and loving in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and infant sons.

Details regarding a Catholic mass at St. Ann’s parish in Bonner will be announced later.