J. Henry Badt, Jr.

HAMILTON - Sadly, we announce the passing of J. (Junior) Henry Badt on Monday, April 21, 2025, with family present at home.  He passed after a long struggle with Parkinsons.

Henry was born at the family home in Culbertson, MT, June 6, 1933.  He was born the 7th of 8 children and last surviving child at the time of his death.

The family moved to Sidney, Mt where Henry graduated from Sidney High School in 1953.  He joined the Marines and proudly served for 2 years.  Following discharge, he attended Rocky Mountain College majoring in industrial arts.  There he met the love of his life, Erma Johnson and they married December 22, 1956.  Following graduation in 1959, they moved to Nashua, Mt where he taught shop, coached and became principal.  While in Nashua their children Loraine and David arrived.

He received his master’s in education from Montana State University in 1964, the same year they moved to Roundup and he became principal.  In 1967 the family moved to Hamilton, MT where he served as principal for 21 years.  He received the Montana State Principal of the year award in 1988, he retired later that year.

He was a member of the Lion’s Club, United Methodist Church, served on the board and worked at the Daly Mansion and worked on the Bitterroot Museum Board.  Following Erma’s retirement, they travelled and did mission work with Methodist NOMADS in Arizona, California, Georgia and projects in Mexico.

In 2000, Henry led a group of friends to restore the Daly Mansion’s Arbor, which is now used in weddings, photos and more.

Henry was a fine woodworker, making beautiful and special items for friends’ homes and churches especially for Corvallis United Methodist Church of which he was a longtime member.

He was a kind and loving son, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Erma, daughter, Loraine (Mike) and son David (Lory).  Grandchildren, Scott (Krystal) Willumsen, Amanda Deleo, Mollie Enderson (Jeff), Summer Badt.  Great-grandchildren Harper and Holter Deleo and Jaxon and Jett Enderson and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mollie Badt, siblings, Dorothy, Alec, Ann, Bill, Esther, Herman and Bobby.

A celebration of life will be Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Corvallis United Methodist Church.

Memorials can be made to Corvallis United Methodist Church, Bitterroot Humane Association, Daly Mansion or other charities of your choice.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.