Gary Lavern Jacobson

HAMILTON - Gary Lavern Jacobson, 84, of Hamilton, Montana passed away Friday, April 10, 2015 at St. Patrick Hospital, Missoula. He was born March 18, 1931 to Ivy and Cliff Jacobson in Malta, Montana.

Gary served in the U.S. Air Force for 4-years and was honorably discharged in the spring of l955. Shortly thereafter, he met Mary Geraldine (Jeri) Lensing and after a "whirlwind" courtship they were married August 24, 1955 at Grace Lutheran Church in Hamilton, Montana. Deciding college was the way to go, they moved to Bozeman and attended MSU and Gary graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture in 1961.

During the summers of his college years he worked at a variety of jobs, but always made time to hunt and fish, which he loved dearly. While in college, two of his five sons were born, Randall Lavern (1956) and Britton B. (1960). After college graduation, Gary, Jeri and boys moved to Las Vegas, NV where Gary was employed by an architectural firm.

It is now 1965 and their third son (Clifford Scott) was born, but died 2 days later. In 1966, Michael Gary was born and in 1968 Todd Lee arrived and Gary and Jeri loved their boys and were very proud parents. As a family they went boating, riding horses, hiking, camping, fishing and hunting and really enjoyed life with their kids.

Even though they had a good life in Vegas they both missed Montana and wanted to raise their boys in the country. So, they moved back to Montana and built a beautiful home on a hill above Skalkaho Creek where Gary opened up his Architectural Office and Jeri worked as his secretary/assistant. Gary was a well respected and talented architect and designed many houses and businesses throughout the valley. After their kids grew up, they took to dancing, golfing and spoiling their grandkids. However, in 1998, after 43 years of marriage, they divorced. Gary continued to live in the valley until his health required him to move in with his son Randy (Brenda) where he resided until his death.

He was preceded in death by his ex-wife Jeri; his parents, Cliff and Ivy Jacobson; sisters, Ilene and Karla Kaye; infant son, Clifford Scott; and granddaughter, Whitney Nicole.

He is survived by his four sons, Randy (Brenda) of Hamilton, Britt (Jenny) of Corvallis, Mike (Darlene) of Kalispell and Todd of Florida; as well as 9 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

A private family memorial will be held at a later date where his ashes will be scattered over his favorite fishing hole.