Allan Roye Potter

Allan Roye "Montana Al" Potter, 78, of Clyde Park, Montana passed away peacefully at his home with his wife and son at his side. A celebration of Als life will be held on Saturday, August 6th, 2016 at 2pm in "The Music Barn" on his property, 1822 Highway 89 North, Clyde Park, MT 59018. We will have a jam session, potluck and BYOB celebration. Al was born on April 23, 1938 in Missoula, Montana to Edward and Hazel Potter. He and the family moved to Everett, Washington when he was 18. He worked odd jobs as a security guard, window washer and a musician. At 25 Al joined the Everett Fire Department. He served faithfully for 26 years. During that time he was married and blessed with two daughters, Jodi and Lisa. He was later married to Cheryl Lilienthal on July 8th, 1979 and they were blessed with a son, Lonnie. Following Als retirement he and Cheryl moved to Helena, Montana where they purchased a bar to operate together. They ran Montana Als Silver City Bar for the next 12 years. After that they retired to the Shields Valley where they purchased their home and have resided for the past 14 years. Al was a man of many talents. His passion was always music and in particular guitars. He played guitar, fixed guitars, tuned guitars, built guitars and collected guitars. At one time he owned the largest and most complete Vintage Fender Instrument collection in the world. His other gifts were woodworking, carpentry, crafting, art and joke telling. Al always enjoyed playing his guitar, writing songs and singing. He had an amazing voice and could whistle like no other. In 1997 he, his brother Steve, and friends recorded an album together; Montana Al - Bull Headed. One of his favorite songs he wrote was for his beautiful, loving wife called 'She's My Rose (Cheryl's song)'. Al is survived by: his loving wife of 37 years Cheryl. Children, daughter, Jodi (Marvin) Huguenin of Lake Goodwin, WA; daughter, Lisa Paulsen of Aberdeen, WA and son, Lonnie Potter of Helena, MT. Grandchildren, Michelle, Robyn, Chad, Andrew, Tyler and Zachary, great-granddaughters, Samantha and Paisley. Siblings, Beverly, Cleve, Melba, Steve and Kevin. And many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Hazel Potter and a sister, Edna.