Phil Harold Pohlman 1950 ~ 2016

SEELEY LAKE - It is with great sorrow that we share the loss of our husband, father, grandfather, Papa, uncle, brother and friend. Phil was taken unexpectedly in an accident while at work Nov. 17 at Pyramid Mountain Lumber.

Phil was born Philip Harold Pohlman May 25, 1950 at 7:05 a.m. in San Antonio, Texas, one of two sons, to parents Dorothy Florence (Furhman) and Percy Harold Pohlman. He joined sisters Barb and Lois. His brother Ken Pohlman joined them in 1952 followed by Scott Jenkins in 1960.

He spent his younger years in Missoula and was very proud of his sixth, seventh and eighth grade undefeated baseball team from Franklin Grade School. He had the arm of an outfielder and never lost his ability to peg us with a snowball. High school took him from Hellgate to Sentinel, where he wrestled for Judd Beck.

In the summer of 1966 he took a job in Seeley Lake at the Double Arrow Ranch for Lee Dahl, where he met Sharon Rich. So began their story. He loved Sharon's family as his own and moved to live with them to finish high school. He graduated from Seeley-Swan in 1968.

He and Sharon married May 10, 1969, and started their family with Tammy ('69), followed by Pamela ('71) and Kristy ('81). He loved his family and extended family and would lend a helping hand when needed or the "shirt off his back."

He leaves a legacy of random acts of kindness! He could mechanic and fix just about anything. He loved to weld and build things for family and friends.

Over the years he worked several jobs in the logging industry including running chainsaw, equipment and driving logging truck. Ten years of that were spent with the "Twin Creeks" family at Champion Timberland. He also worked for his father-in-law C.B. Rich and later Jack Rich, guiding hunters and guests in the Bob Marshall. In his spare time you could find him shoeing horses, a skill he learned from C.B.

He had a soft spot for babies and stray animals, always teasing Sharon that she was the one who brought them home. His greatest joys were his grandkids: Katelyn, Zachary and Skylar. He took them hunting, fishing, riding, camping and loved sharing things he loved with them, especially his Christmas fudge and trail songs.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon, of 47 years (he always teased they wouldn't make 48); daughter Tammy and husband Barrie, kids Katelyn and Zachary Lewis; daughter Pamela and son Skylar Hoelstad; daughter Kristy and husband Shawn Ellinghouse; all residents of Seeley Lake; his brothers Ken and wife Helen Pohlman and Scott Jenkins; sisters Barb and husband Dale Dye and Lois Hudlow.

Sharon's family includes Jack and Belinda Rich, Peggy and Ralph Cahoon, Betty and Ron Bergland, Mary Anna Rich and all of their families, as well as Aunt Susie and Uncle Herb and their families.

His critters, especially his dog Pixie, are mourning him too! Others that mourn his loss are his Pyramid family including good friend Gary Overman.

We will miss the twinkle in your blue eyes, those bags of licorice, bringing you a Pepsi, and your 30 Point Buck Hunting Song. May we use each day to be a little kinder! Miss you my best friend, I know you will meet me at the top of the pass!

Per his wishes, no services will be held. Cremation has taken place. In his honor, next summer we will take a family ride to Crescent.

A special, heartfelt "Thank You" to our Seeley Lake Community and our dedicated First Responders. We love where we live! To all that have called, texted, prayed, or done food – THANK YOU! And to Danny, Shelly, and Phil's buddy Hunter, you are the best neighbors. Finally our work families, Pyramid Mountain Lumber and Deer Country Quilts, thank you for being family and especially those at Deer Country Quilts for covering shifts and giving me love and the time I need to get through this.

In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to Montana Log Jam (www.montanalogjam.org) in honor of Phil.