Neil Logan
Neil Logan, 94, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Friday, May 27, 2022.
Neil was born on November 23, 1927, to Claude and Lillie Logan on the family homestead on Cottonwood Creek below the Byrd Hill, the highest point in Yellowstone County. Neil attended rural Montana schools, Battle Creek School and Blue Creek School.
Neil married Lois McFarland in Red Lodge, Montana, in 1950. He entered the US Army in February, 1951. He completed four months basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He shipped over to Korea from Fort Lawton, Washington, on July 4, 1951, and he arrived in Yokohama, Japan on July 18, 1951. He served with the Third Armored Division, Company B, Tenth Combat Engineer Corp. Neil was the recipient of several medals for his service, most notably the Bronze Star, which is awarded to individuals who have distinguished themselves by heroism and outstanding achievement while serving in combat theater. Neil returned stateside May 1952.
He started with Great Western Sugar Company (later known as Western Sugar Company) in 1953. After 40 years, he retired in 1993.
Neil enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, camping, dancing and playing pinochle with friends. He also enjoyed entertaining multiple generations telling stories, singing, yodeling, playing guitar, harmonica and the fiddle. He later performed publicly at local nursing homes and community centers, and greatly enjoyed performing during annual Cowboy Poetry events in Lewistown, Montana.
Neil loved to tell jokes and saw humor in most things in life. He always had a smile and a “Hello” for everyone he met. He was loving, kind, compassionate and the very best husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather a family could ask for. Even though our hearts are broken, we remain grateful for the blessing of his love and guidance in our lives and take comfort in knowing that he is reunited with his son Douglas and performing his music for God and all the angels in heaven.
Neil was preceded in death by his oldest son, Douglas and grandson Jaryd Logan. He is survived by his wife Lois, sons Randall and Kevin (Shelly) and daughters Cindy Kratochvil (Ken) and Lorraine Logan (Matthew Boness), granddaughter Jessica Kratochvil (Bobby Leach), grandsons Jayk Logan and Tucker Logan and great grandchildren Kenzie Leach and Kamryn Logan. He is also survived by his brother, Rodger, and sisters Geneva Ross and Florence Logan.
Special thanks to granddaughter Jessica for nursing her papa for the last weeks of his life and during recent times of illness.
A public visitation will be held Thursday, June 2, 2022, from 12-6:00 P.M., at Smith Downtown Chapel, 925 S. 27th St, Billings, MT. A funeral service will be held Friday, June 3, 2022, at Smith Downtown Chapel, at 11:00 A.M., with additional viewing held prior to the service time.
