Alvin J. House Jr

Alvin left for heaven on January 6, 2015 to continue his walk with Jesus. He has been looking forward to this last journey for some time, where he will be able to be with Jesus, as well as Dorothy and other loved ones and friends.
- Born on January 27, 1926 in Canandaigua, NY, the oldest of 4 boys (Paul, Robert, and Edwin), Alvin grew up on a farm, and then the family moved west to MT in his teens, finally arriving in the Bitterroot Valley. He finished high school in Darby and was drafted into the US Army, serving in the 71st Artillery as they progressed through France and into Switzerland the ending months of the WWII. Alvin returned to Montana after the war, attended Northwest Nazarene College in Idaho, and while there, met and married the love of his life, Dorothy. After graduating college, they moved to Montana and Alvin pastored churches in Glasgow, Helena and Bozeman. Alvin also trained to be a watchmaker and was one of the last Master watchmakers in the nation. He owned and operated a jewelry store and managed a Christian book store in Bozeman for more than 25 years, the House of Time and Christian Supply Center, retiring in 1991. The couple moved back to the Bitterroot Valley, living in Darby and Hamilton. For 18 years, he served as the hospice and hospital chaplain for Marcus Daly Hospital. Alvin loved the Lord and people and desired to minister to their spiritual needs. His final years were spent living at Sapphire Lutheran Homes in Hamilton and Kathy's Place in Florence.
- Alvin was a member of the National Association of Evangelicals for 35 years, the College of Chaplains and the American Association of Christian Counselors. He was also a member of the National Hospice Organization, Montana Pastoral Care Association and the Montana Hospital Association. Alvin served over 20 years on the Salvation Army Advisory Board and 34 years with Christian Enterprises, Inc. supporting Christian Radio Stations.
- Alvin was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, brother, Paul and his parents. He is survived by his three children, Carolyn (Louis) Levinson of Florence, MT., Philip (Judy) House of Billings, MT., and Esther (Mike) Conner of Darby, MT; grandchildren, Scott Conner, Kylie Brost, Kristin Svec, Aaron Conner, David House, Jonathan House and Esther Levinson; great grandchildren, Natalie House, Liam House, Braylee Faller, Chloe House, Brayden Svec, Levi Conner, Caimbrie Brost, Ledge Conner, Gavin Svec, Conner Brost, Corbyn Svec, and Landen Conner.
- Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. January 24, 2014 at the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton with Pastor Del Abbey officiating. Interment will take place at Lone Pine Cemetery in Darby.
- The family suggests memorials to The Salvation Army, Marcus Daly Memorial Hospice or the Charlos Heights Church.