Allen D. Potts
April 13, 1940 ~ April 16, 2018 (age 78) 78 Years Old
Tribute
Allen DeWilde Potts passed away peacefully at his home in Lakeside, Montana on Monday April 16, 2018, he was 78. Allen was born April 13, 1940 in Billings, Montana to Allen DeWilde Potts Sr. and Dorothy Alice (Shope).
Allen spent his early life in Billings and graduated from Billings Senior High School; he attended Eastern Montana College.
Allen enjoyed sales and working with his hands, he purchased Mark Color and began a career in photography. He photographed kindergarten, elementary school, high school and college students for year books. Allen also did studio portraiture, weddings and enjoyed scenic photography.
In 1972 he and his partners established a professional photo-finishing business for the photography trade. During his free time in the 1960’s he started building acoustical guitars, one of his 12 string guitars was played on the Tonight Show by musician friends.
In 1977 Allen and his family moved to Bigfork, Montana where he continued to work in photography, advertising and sales. Allen’s hobbies turned to building airplanes, he built two planes from scratch. The first was a high-wing ‘Piper’ style that he and the family flew for many years with great joy. The second plane was a bi-plane Marquart Charger which took 17 years to build. In 2003 it was flown to the Oshkosh National Fly-In where it received a Bronze Lindy Award. Both of his airplanes have appeared in several national magazines.
Allen is survived by his wife; Claudia, his daughter; Michelle (Jeffrey) Melton; 3 grandchildren; Derrick Fandrich, Ashley (Shane) Correll and Nicholas (Kimberly) Fandrich, three great grand-daughters; Alexa, Briana and Caroline, one great grandson; Alexander DeWilde, two half sisters; Diane Gerharz and Kari Nelson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father and grandparents.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday April 21, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Lakeside Community Chapel.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to: The Alzheimers Association or Lakeside Community Chapel.
Allen spent his early life in Billings and graduated from Billings Senior High School; he attended Eastern Montana College.
Allen enjoyed sales and working with his hands, he purchased Mark Color and began a career in photography. He photographed kindergarten, elementary school, high school and college students for year books. Allen also did studio portraiture, weddings and enjoyed scenic photography.
In 1972 he and his partners established a professional photo-finishing business for the photography trade. During his free time in the 1960’s he started building acoustical guitars, one of his 12 string guitars was played on the Tonight Show by musician friends.
In 1977 Allen and his family moved to Bigfork, Montana where he continued to work in photography, advertising and sales. Allen’s hobbies turned to building airplanes, he built two planes from scratch. The first was a high-wing ‘Piper’ style that he and the family flew for many years with great joy. The second plane was a bi-plane Marquart Charger which took 17 years to build. In 2003 it was flown to the Oshkosh National Fly-In where it received a Bronze Lindy Award. Both of his airplanes have appeared in several national magazines.
Allen is survived by his wife; Claudia, his daughter; Michelle (Jeffrey) Melton; 3 grandchildren; Derrick Fandrich, Ashley (Shane) Correll and Nicholas (Kimberly) Fandrich, three great grand-daughters; Alexa, Briana and Caroline, one great grandson; Alexander DeWilde, two half sisters; Diane Gerharz and Kari Nelson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father and grandparents.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday April 21, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Lakeside Community Chapel.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to: The Alzheimers Association or Lakeside Community Chapel.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Allen D. Potts, please visit our floral store.
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