Leroy Dusty Bourque

Leroy "Dusty" Bourque "Upturned collar on his polo shirt. A staunch commitment for knowledge of current politics (Fox news) and enjoyment of, and ear for, debate. Getting hamburgers for his dog at the fast food drive-through. Fowl tongue while loading and maneuvering a horse trailer and boat trailer (he was never that great at it). Always wanting to stay at the party longer. And self determination that ultimately got his forefinger cut off..." Leroy "Dusty" Bourque passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2017, at the age of 91. In addition to Sandra, his wife of 36 years, Dusty leaves behind dozens of friends and family members who will miss his passion for Montana, his love of his beloved dogs, and his appetite for a good political debate. Dusty was born in Fort Robinson, Nebraska on June 16, 1926, to Donet and Hazel Bourque. He lied about his age so he could enlist early in the Navy during World War II. Dusty served his country proudly in the South Pacific, flying 39 combat missions as second seat on a 3-man torpedo plane based on the USS San Jacinto aircraft carrier and was a radio operator on a TBM-1C Avenger torpedo bomber. Dusty participated in one of the greatest events of his life when he joined his grandson, Timothy Dorman (also a military veteran) on an Honor Flight from Montana to Washington, DC in 2015, where he was reunited with fellow seamen, toured the WWII memorial and other monuments, and was honored for his service. In his early career, Dusty was a high school teacher and basketball coach, and his oldest daughter, Lynda (then 4), was the team mascot. Dusty had four more children of his own, moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and started a 30-year career as an executive with Mutual of Omaha. He mastered the game of tennis and lived large. Upon his retirement at the early age of 60, Dusty moved to Montana where he reinvented himself yet again as a true cowboy. Dustys favorite place was in Paradise Valley on top of a horse, preferably 18 miles down a trail in the back country. He found his true calling as a cook in a hunting camp over several seasons. Dusty and Sandra made a great life for themselves in the Livingston, Emigrant, and Pray communities, eventually building their current home near Clyde Park. Dusty was an avid reader, watched any sports he could find on TV, loved his horses and his dogs (always Labradors), and was always willing to share a cold beer on the porch or at the Old Saloon. Dusty follows his daughter, Nancy and granddaughter Molly in death; he is survived by his wife Sandra, seven children, twenty grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, and many other close relatives and friends, too many to count. Sandra Knight Bourque. Lynda Bourque Moss. Cris Moss/Whitney Grubbs (Max and Hazel). Heather Moss/Scott Rich (Dylan and Dustin). Cathy Bourque McKenna/Chuck McKenna, Gemma, Carly/Justin (Cami and Cash), Chuck and Todd, Myia McKenna/Jeff Custer (Katie and Lara). Nancy Bourque Spain, Tony/Vanessa Dorman (Kaylee and Ciara), Timothy/Missy Dorman (Elizabeth and Jayden), Molly Spain and Mary Spain (Oden and Mavrick). Karen Bourque Reed, Michael Bourque, Lindsay/Earl Alvis (Geni and Payton), Chris/Melissa Bourque, Shelby Reed and John Bourque. Steve Bourque/Sonia Solis Bourque, Natasha (Christian) and Eric. Elizabeth/Craig Lappe (Ashley). Todd Knight (Josh and Matthew). John and Larraine Bourque, Cindy Faas (Lauren). Denise Bourque. Dustys family is thankful to have come together in Emigrant in 2016 to celebrate Dustys 90th birthday with him and so many friends. It was a true celebration of his life, in the place he loved so deeply. Services for Dusty will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, October 12, at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Livingston. A reception will follow at the Elks Lodge. Services are in the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home of Livingston. Instead of flowers, the family request donations to be made in Dusty's name to Stafford Animal Shelter or Casa for The Children. Happy trails, DustyCharitable donations may be made to:Casa for The Children (Casa for Park & Sweet Grass Counties)P.O. Box 1827, Livingston MT 59047Tel: 1-406-222-4904Web: http://underconstructionStafford Animal Shelter3 Business Park Road, Livingston MT 59047Tel: 1-406-222-2111Web: http://staffordanimalshelter.org/