John F. "Jack" Harr

HAMILTON - John "Jack" F Harr, 76, of Hamilton passed away Thursday, March 16, 2017.  He was born in Missoula Montana on November 4, 1940.H

Jack was born with what some may consider a disadvantage; he was born with limb-girdle Muscular Dystrophy.  He had physical limitations, but that did not slow him down. There was nothing he was not able to do. He was able to shoot skeet, ride motor cycles, swim in the ocean, build buggies, harvest wood, go camping, and run a successful business.

Jack grew up in Montana, but his favorite place to live was Vero Beach, Fl.  He often referred to those eight years as "The good old days".  Jack enjoyed his job as parts manager for a Volkswagen dealership.  He loved the ocean and camping in the Keys.  In 1979, Jack and his family moved back to Montana and he began a new adventure; he opened his own business.

At first Jack worked on Volkswagens but after a few years he faded the Volkswagens out and just worked on small engines (lawn mowers, chain saws, etc.).  This is when Jack's Small Engines was born. Over the past 37 years Jack built a successful business.  He prided himself on delivering quality services and  standing behind  his work.  He also expanded into selling second hand tools, mowers, chain saws, and a variety of other equipment.  If you needed something chances are that Jack had it or could help you find it.  He developed many friendships and continued to have adventures and being a part of "The Buggy Club" was some of the best times he had.  As his muscular dystrophy progressed, Jack developed ways of accommodating his changing needs.  He developed a lift device to help him get into his camper when using steps became too difficult.  He developed an "elevator" to help him get in and out of his house when he could no longer walk; he designed and built special canes, and even customized his power wheel chair to meet his needs.  Jack's goal was to maintain his independence for as long as possible and this was just one more goal that he successfully met.

Jack was preceded in death by his daughter, Julie A Harr; son, Jack Jason Harr; his mother, Birdie L. Harr; his father, John  L Harr; three sisters and three brothers.  He is survived by his eldest daughter, Leone R. Harr; former wife, Lavona Harr; his "adopted" son, Jim Bryan; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Friday, March 24, 2017 at 2:00 pm at the Daly-Leach Chapel with a reception following in the funeral home’s community room.  Interment will take place at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Missoula.