Ellsworth "Terry" Nobles

Quiet, humble, loyal, honest, a father, husband, Mason, Legionnaire, a Marine. So many descriptives for one man, yet over a lifetime Terry, in his soft spoken way, made a lasting impression on this valley and the people within it. His friends will gather at 14:00 on Saturday, February 22nd at Hamilton's Daly-Leach Chapel for a Masonic service, Marine and Legion tribute then final cocktail and shared stories.
- Ellsworth Terrill Nobles was born 28 May, 1920 to Edward Thomas and Edith Sherman Nobles in Bellingham, Washington. Terry attended Bow grade school, then Mount Vernon High School, graduating in 1937. He attended Skajit Valley Jr. College then University of Washington prior to enlisting 21 November, 1941.
- After flight schools in Corpus Christi, Nashville, LaGuardia and Miramar, his initial deployment was to the Southwest Pacific where he became a SCAT (Solomans Combat Air Transport) pilot in 1943, earning a Distinguished Flying Cross and 3 Air Medals. Much of his WWII service was spent in the left seat of various Marine transports flying supplies in and wounded out of the South Pacific theatre where he met future US President Dick Nixon during intense use of the airfield at Munda. Nixon was the SCAT representative and dispatched aircraft there. 1944 found the airfield at Guam not ready for use so Terry delayed for a couple of months at Apamama and Tarawa. It was there he was the Squadron Instructor, flying C-47s. While serving in China in 1947, Terry was part of an American operation that built and established the "Garden of Light" orphanage. Terry maintained contact with the first Mother Superior, Elizabeth Nagata, for more than 40 years.
- In 1950 Terry met and wed the catch of his life, Betty Ortolf, in a 6 week wild romance that ended with a wedding certificate and his call to duty rather than a honeymoon. While Terry served in the Marine Corps at air stations around the United States, Betty and their growing family went along, enjoying each duty station. Terry completed his degree in Political Science in 1955 at the University of Maryland while stationed in Washington, D.C. at the Pentagon. Terry retired from the Marine Corps 30 June, 1963 as a Major. He and Betty never forgot or lost touch with their military friends and family around the world.
- - They returned to the valley with a family ready to settle down after 22 years of travel. They chose to be near his father and grandfather who were proprietors of NOBLES Clothing on main street in Hamilton. In 1963, Terry and Betty purchased the family's "one and only" home north of Corvallis from original owner Mabel Schwab, widow of Charles Schwab, one of Copper King Marcus Daly's jockeys. Terry worked as a bank examiner for the state for 4 years where in his down time, he logged hours on nearly every fishable stream or river in the state. Citizens State bank offered Terry an officer's position that would end the weeks on the roads away from family that were part of a bank examiner's life. Thus began Terry's singular habit of pen and paper in the front pocket of a dress shirt - and an appointment list that never seemed to end.
- Being able to be home during the week, Terry became active in the Masonic Temple, which he had been invited to join in 1945 while stationed in North Carolina. Terry served many years as Rainbow Dad for Corvallis Chapter of Rainbow Girls, DeMolay Boys councilor, was inducted into the Grand Cross of Colors and was active in both Hamilton York Rite and Missoula Scottish Rite bodies. In 1998 Terry was honored with the Knights Templar Cross of Honor. In 1999 Terry was awarded the "Mason of the Year" for Montana, an honor that humbled him all the days of his life.
- Never relinquishing his oath of service to the United States of America, Terry was active in Corvallis American Legion Post 91 and served as the Commander from 1967 to 1971. He was encouraged by the camaraderie of those who gave so selflessly of themselves for the betterment of this nation and whose service did not end with their detachment date. He was honored by the Post in 1998 when he was named Grand Marshall for the Corvallis Memorial Day parade. Terry's father, through his service in WWI may have made Terry one of the oldest Sons of the American Legion in the world with more than 70 years of membership.
- Terry was a founding member of the Corvallis Civic Club and Teller Wildlife Refuge, serving on both boards and remained active and committed to both as long as he was able. He served on the Corvallis Cemetery board, was a member of Fly Fishers of the Bitter Root, Trout Unlimited, Bitterroot Audubon and Ducks Unlimited and served as a pilot for winter wild game counting for various organizations. There was nary an organization that didn't receive a donation from Terry over the years. He was famous for allowing opposing political signs to be put up along his Eastside Highway property.
- In the early 1960's, Terry and Betty along with a handful of local retired Marines started what would become an annual Bitter Root celebration of the Marine Corps Birthday each November 10th. For many years it was just 4 Marines, two wives, no cake to cut or beef to parade.
- Enriching oneself through religious studies took Terry to visit just about every church in the valley these past 50 years. He found each to be different in their particular belief but each committed to their cause. He tried to live by a policy of 'leave the place better than you found it'. Terry believed that a day would come that he would be judged by his actions and deeds. In recent conversations with his children, Terry believed his soul would depart these earthly bounds and he looked forward to being reunited with his beautiful Betty - his Blythe Spirit for more than 50 years.
- Terry and family are deeply grateful to the Marcus Daly home-health staff, Hospice and most especially to Lorri, Errol, Ethan and Sue for their loving care over the past several years that allowed him to remain at home.
- Terry leaves behind his four children, Craig and Sarah Nobles of Colorado Springs, CO., Lynn Dornfeld of St. Louis, MO., Buddy and Nancy Nobles of Missoula, Tori Nobles and Don Stephens of Hamilton, grandchildren, great grandchildren and an extended family of loved ones and friends around the world. Those who loved Terry are asked to join the family at a celebration of his life Saturday, February 22 at 1400 hours at Daly Leach in Hamilton. In lieu of flowers and at Terry's request, please donate in Terry's honor to Bitter Root Land Trust, P O Box 1806, Hamilton, MT 59840 - to help leave the place better than you found it.