Mark H. Annin

Mark Hodgson Annin
4th of July, 1921 - 10 August, 2011

"Live all you can; it's a mistake not to."
~ Henry James

Mark Annin died Wednesday evening, 10th of August at Discovery Care Center, having plumb worn out his 90 year old body, but telling stories with his ever so sharp mind until the end.

He was born in Columbus, moving to Billings to start 2nd grade. His backyard bordered that of John Delano, his first best friend. John stood up with him when he married, a friendship continuing through visits and correspondence all their lives. As life moved forward this collecting and keeping friends became second nature. Mark was always interested in people's "story".

After graduation from Billings Senior he headed off to Montana State College, Bozeman. His chosen major was Mechanical Engineering. WW II interrupted his college years, beginning active U.S. Army duty 6 June 1944. Honorable discharge as 1st Lieutenant, Infantry Unit Commander, Co. E, 385th Infantry, 76th Infantry Division came about on 17 April 1946. He earned a Combat Infantryman Badge, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Three Bronze Stars, American Campaign Medal, and Victory Medal WWII.

After returning to Bozeman he finished his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. MSC gained him another two best friends: he married one and started a business with the other. One day prior to overseas duty, as house mouse for Sigma Chi there was a group of Pi Beta Phi women coming through the kitchen, looking over the premises. Grumbling, he said "WOMEN, Women taking over the house, WOMEN". "Who's that?" inquired the leggy, pretty brunette. "That's Annin. He hates women" "Oh?" she commented, a woman who always loved a challenge. He never had a chance - Philipsburg's Fawn Marie Murray became his bride in a marriage lasting over 51 years.

And of course, Conrad LaSalle! They were classmates, turning a special credit class for graduation into a partnership of working with structural steel fabrication, an extensive machine shop, welding, building all manner of contraptions (2 A½ story steel tube fire escape for Jefferson School), steel swimming pool for Hamilton Golf Club, and inventing and holding patent for their Strat-O-Lift hydraulic scissor platform. As Conrad's wife Vinnie perfectly zinged, "It's a good thing Mark and Connie met each other, because neither one of them could have worked with anyone else." Hydro-Point Engineering was testament to their 41 year business partnership.

Fawn was an only child and decided she wanted 3 children. When the 1st turned out to be a girl, in her post - delivery loopiness she said "That's not my baby, Annins don't have girls". Well, that was before catch and release. Her baby stayed in the family and Fawn redeemed herself with 2 beloved sons. Raising a family in Hamilton became its own challenge and joy. Her Textile degree from MSC's Home Economics Department was put to the test many times when a kid would remember the need for cookies, cupcakes, a Halloween, Broncette or school play costume. Giving back to community was a family mantra. Fawn earned a lifetime pass clerking for the Ravalli County Fair, worked as an Election Judge, and was one of the tireless founders of Marcus Daly Hospital's Gift Shop where market trip inventory buys were enhanced by her artistic talents.

Mark's contribution to community included his years from 1957-1961 as Mayor of Hamilton, later serving as a councilman. He made time for advisory boards. He and Connie helped build the Hamilton Playhouse, erecting structural steel beams and supports. Their business contributed to community growth and purchase of 4H beef. When plays were first produced by the Hamilton Community Players upstairs at the now City Hall, Mark was a volunteer actor taking his storytelling and jokes to vulnerable audiences, appearing in many plays over the years, the last one being South Pacific in 2008.

Mark was a proud 64 year member of American Legion Post #47 as well as a 55 year Master Mason of Ionic Lodge #38 A.F. and A.M., having been initiated January 12, 1956, passed to the Fellowcraft degree on January 26, 1956 and raised to the degree of Master Mason on February 23, 1956.

How he got to 90: work hard. Enjoy family life and friends. Hunt until you can't tromp the fields, hills, mountains. Fish in the lakes, streams, rivers, then from a bridge until you can't cast anymore. Golf with sand greens, then grass greens, walk and carry clubs, pull a cart, drive a cart, play until you just can't swing a club. Play basketball up and down the valley, and in old duffer/Bronc games until it's too hard on the knees. Play tennis, first with your Montana champ brother, take it up again with the Canyons guys until the racquet won't respond to your 88 year old serve/return. Play bridge, watch Jeopardy, Read, Garden. Be a really good cook. Learn computer skills. Travel with your wife overseas and visit the scattered kids in the states.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents Hawthorn Burt and Caryl Hodgson, his brother Joseph Burt (JB), sister-in-law Peg, son Jeffrey Burt (J-Burt) and wife Fawn Marie.

Mark's survivors include daughter Melanie Janet Shaffer (Chris), son Stephen Murray (Linda), granddaughter Yvette Squires (Mark), step-granddaughter Evie Squires, nephew Kim Annin (Carol), niece Shauna Duby (Jim), cousin John Annin (D[ianna] K), step granddaughters Kelly Throckmorton (son Kaleb) and Nicole Orta (Marty) and their children Silas, Maren, Annie and Emily. As GrandPAW he leaves Amado, (Sun) Beamer and Nessie.

A Celebration of Mark's Life is scheduled for 11:00 o'clock Tuesday the 30th of August at the Daly-Leach Chapel. Private Family Masonic Graveside Rites will be conducted by Ionic Lodge #38 with military honors by the Hamilton American Legion Post #47 and Marine Corps League Bitterroot Attachment #937. The family suggests your thoughtfulness to Fox Hollow Animal Project 155 Fox Hollow Hamilton 59840; The Hamilton Players 100 Ricketts Road, Hamilton 59840; or Haven House 316 North 3rd Street Hamilton 59840.