Douglas Sanford Tower

Douglas Sanford Tower (Doug) was born March 11th 1943 in Boise, Idaho. On October 5th 2023, Doug died of cancer in Missoula, Montana. His last days were spent in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by loving family members. Doug was pleased to have recently turned 80-years-old.

Doug and his sister, Carol, grew up in Superior, Montana. Doug's youth was spent with friend, Rick Neil, enjoying Montana’s beautiful backcountry trails and mountain lakes. Doug attended Montana State University, graduating with a Bachelor in Science and Secondary Education, emphasis in History. Doug started working as a welder in his Father’s machine shop, then spent 29 ½ years as a USFS wildland firefighter, warehouseman, and printing press operator. He was also an expert retiree.

On November 1st 1969, Doug married the love of his life, Teresa Marie Katherine Hill. Doug’s heart broke when he lost Terri, at the young age of 48. On August 1st 1994, Doug married Joyce Stetson (Tower), who also died much too soon. 

Doug and Terri took delight in parenting their children, Clark and Charmin. They focused on time well-spent together. Family vacations, games on Saturdays, entering 4-H events, Scouts, adventures by raft and bike, family dinners, weekends at the cabin, and road-trips to family ranches were prioritized. 

Doug was a wood-worker, an artist, a sunset-watcher, Western dancer, tennis aficionado, lover of memes, a nature-enthusiast, avid reader, community volunteer, a hiker and cyclist, a musician, and world traveler. He was a good friend, a jokester, doting father, and a dedicated grandfather. To know Doug was to love him!

Doug was born to Miles Erwin Tower and Alice Adaline Endslow (Tower). Doug is survived by sister Carol (William) Burke, daughter Charmin (Jason) Knudson, and son Clark (Crystal) Tower, stepson Karl (Heather) Stetson, stepson Jeff (Amy) Stetson, and stepdaughter Jennifer (Daniel) Alger. Doug leaves many loving grandchildren: Trinity (Scott) Jensen, Shade (Mariah) Charlton, Jacob (Jan) Foster, Liam (Jillian) Foster, Simon (Emma) Foster, Emmanuel Eporu, Bryan Tower, Sylvie-Aganoti Tower, and Kaesyn Tower, as well as great-grandchildren Kairi and Eric Jensen. Doug also has numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws scattered throughout the ranchlands of Montana, and across the world.

In lieu of flowers, please raise a glass to Doug Tower. Also, feel welcome to attend a proper Irish Wake Thursday, October 12th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Garden City Harvest Barn located at 1657 River Road. Doug’s funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church located at 1475 Eaton Street, followed by a luncheon.