Gayle "Buster" Everett Patrick

Buster Patrick, 88, passed away due to complications of COPD and went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at River's Bend Assisted Living in Malta, MT. Services will be held Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., at the Wilderness Funeral Home in Malta. A graveside service will follow at the Malta Cemetery.

Buster was born in Havre, MT on July 3, 1937 to Ralph and Ruth (Sharples) Patrick. He was raised in Chinook and Helena, MT, before moving to Malta in 1952. After graduating from Malta High School in 1955, he spent the summer in Seattle, WA, with Don Wombold working at the Boeing manufacturing plant working on B-52 bombers.

Upon returning home, Buster enrolled at Northern Montana College in Havre. It was during this time that he met his sweetheart, Loretta Beverly Ann Whaley, at a country dance held at the Cottonwood Hall north of Havre. They were married the following summer on June 14, 1958.

After working on the farms of Earl Larsen and Raymond 'Skip' Patrick in the Havre area, Buster & Loretta eventually settled on the Patrick farm in Wagner, where they made their lifelong home. It was on that farm that they raised their three daughters - Monica, Gail, & Michelle.

Over the years, Buster farmed sugar beets, wheat, and alfalfa seed, and at various times raised both sheep and cattle. He was an active member of the Malta Moose Lodge & served as President of the Alfalfa Seed Commission. He enjoyed golfing, reading, RVing, and world travel with Loretta. He even earned his pilot's license and spent several years flying a Cessna.

Buster and his father played a meaningful role in introducing alfalfa seed production and leafcutter bees to the Milk River Valley. Above all, his greatest joy was his daughters and their families.

Buster was survived by his girls - Monica (Bruce) Arnold of Helena; Gail (Fred) Mavencamp of Malta; & Michelle (Don) Turner of San Antonio, TX. He is also survived by his grandchildren - Laura (Lucy & Leon), Heather & Jason (Abigail, Orion, Myracle, & Taelyn), Samantha (Lexie, Shane, & Shelton), Justin & Chelsea (Sierra, Daryas, & Keagan), Jessica & Chris (Layton), Krystle, Jesse & Whitney, Kelsey (Weston & Wyatt) - as well as numerous nieces, nephews, & cousins.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Loretta; his parents, Ralph & Ruth Patrick, his in-laws, Floyd & Kate (Fisher) Whaley; his brother, Shelby Patrick; and his three sisters, Ralpha Smith, Donna (Alfred) Coate, & Patricia (George) Taylor. He will also be greeted in heaven by an infant son, John David Patrick, and two grandsons, Sean Turner and Russell Arnold.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the entire staff at River's Bend Assisted Living for the love and exceptional care provided to their dad, especially during his final days.

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