Longtime Lavina resident George Fleming Ainslie III passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013, at home. George, the youngest son of Cowgill Donn Ainslie and Mary Jane Parker, was born on August 4, 1957. His upbringing was in a true southern style: manners, mud, poison oak, fried frog legs and all. His years of involvement with the Boy Scouts of America catered to his passion for the outdoors and he earned his Eagle Scout Award, as had his brothers before him. George loved to read and his interest in the stories of the "Wild West" lead him to Montana, where he graduated with honors from Rocky Mountain College.
At a chance meeting in 1979, George found the love of his life, Charlotte Marie Kelly. They married on December 27, 1980 and shared an adventurous partnership for over three decades. From their honeymoon years on the "beaches" of the North Slope of Alaska, through the deserts and corn fields of South Africa, to the rolling benches of Little Careless Creek in the Snowy Mountains of Montana, there was rarely a dull moment. Like a good pair of boots, George and Charlotte were a perfect match. Though they traveled to many places, George loved the plains and mountains of Montana best.
Trapper, hunter, and skilled craftsman, George was happiest working with his hands and made his living in the centuries-old trade of blacksmithing. Prairie Elk Forge, established in 1985, sank its roots deep in Lavina, where George helped raise his three children while pounding iron in the backyard. His early appreciation for history provided a niche for his work among fur traders and historical re-enactors. His artistry gained popularity and can be found in modern architectural homes, as well as historic reconstructions throughout the National Parks of the West. He was always proud and honored to have his work in Yellowstone National Park and of his participation in the restoration of Old Faithful Inn.
George lived his life in service to others — from teaching hunter safety to mending farm equipment, he was always willing to lend a hand, give a pat on the back, and offer words of encouragement. His affection for animals began in childhood with an English bulldog named Mack, and he treasured many pets throughout the years. George was a great fan of the simple pleasures in life and took every opportunity to pat his horses, love on his dogs, and hug his loved ones. These included his parents and his in-laws Robert and Beverly Kelly, all of whom passed before him; his own children, as well as the children of others. George was as elated a grandfather as there ever was. He found much joy in playing and napping on the floor with his grandson, Cooper.
George was also a natural-born teacher of what he knew and loved. He and his family welcomed exchange students from Japan, Hong Kong and China into their home and worked with local children (and their pigs) over the course of 22 years of service to the local 4-H club.
This profound and beloved man is survived by his wife, Charlotte Kelly Ainslie; and their three children, Kit, Miranda and Heather Peters (her husband Dan and grandson Cooper Cowgill); his brothers, Bruce and Scott, their wives, Sally and Barb; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews; along with so many friends and acquaintances who miss him dearly.
There will be a memorial service on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 2 p.m. in the Lavina Public School Gymnasium, followed by inurnment at Lavina Cemetery, and a community luncheon back at the school. All are welcome.
Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.cfgbillings.com through "Our Families."
At a chance meeting in 1979, George found the love of his life, Charlotte Marie Kelly. They married on December 27, 1980 and shared an adventurous partnership for over three decades. From their honeymoon years on the "beaches" of the North Slope of Alaska, through the deserts and corn fields of South Africa, to the rolling benches of Little Careless Creek in the Snowy Mountains of Montana, there was rarely a dull moment. Like a good pair of boots, George and Charlotte were a perfect match. Though they traveled to many places, George loved the plains and mountains of Montana best.
Trapper, hunter, and skilled craftsman, George was happiest working with his hands and made his living in the centuries-old trade of blacksmithing. Prairie Elk Forge, established in 1985, sank its roots deep in Lavina, where George helped raise his three children while pounding iron in the backyard. His early appreciation for history provided a niche for his work among fur traders and historical re-enactors. His artistry gained popularity and can be found in modern architectural homes, as well as historic reconstructions throughout the National Parks of the West. He was always proud and honored to have his work in Yellowstone National Park and of his participation in the restoration of Old Faithful Inn.
George lived his life in service to others — from teaching hunter safety to mending farm equipment, he was always willing to lend a hand, give a pat on the back, and offer words of encouragement. His affection for animals began in childhood with an English bulldog named Mack, and he treasured many pets throughout the years. George was a great fan of the simple pleasures in life and took every opportunity to pat his horses, love on his dogs, and hug his loved ones. These included his parents and his in-laws Robert and Beverly Kelly, all of whom passed before him; his own children, as well as the children of others. George was as elated a grandfather as there ever was. He found much joy in playing and napping on the floor with his grandson, Cooper.
George was also a natural-born teacher of what he knew and loved. He and his family welcomed exchange students from Japan, Hong Kong and China into their home and worked with local children (and their pigs) over the course of 22 years of service to the local 4-H club.
This profound and beloved man is survived by his wife, Charlotte Kelly Ainslie; and their three children, Kit, Miranda and Heather Peters (her husband Dan and grandson Cooper Cowgill); his brothers, Bruce and Scott, their wives, Sally and Barb; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews; along with so many friends and acquaintances who miss him dearly.
There will be a memorial service on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 2 p.m. in the Lavina Public School Gymnasium, followed by inurnment at Lavina Cemetery, and a community luncheon back at the school. All are welcome.
Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.cfgbillings.com through "Our Families."
Longtime Lavina resident George Fleming Ainslie III passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013, at home. George, the youngest son of Cowgill Donn Ainslie and Mary Jane Parker, was born on August 4, 1957. His upbringing was in a true southern style: manners, mud, poison oak, fried frog legs and all. His years of involvement with the Boy Scouts of America catered to his passion for the outdoors and he earned his Eagle Scout Award, as had his brothers before him. George loved to read and his interest in the stories of the "Wild West" lead him to Montana, where he graduated with honors from Rocky Mountain College.
At a chance meeting in 1979, George found the love of his life, Charlotte Marie Kelly. They married on December 27, 1980 and shared an adventurous partnership for over three decades. From their honeymoon years on the "beaches" of the North Slope of Alaska, through the deserts and corn fields of South Africa, to the rolling benches of Little Careless Creek in the Snowy Mountains of Montana, there was rarely a dull moment. Like a good pair of boots, George and Charlotte were a perfect match. Though they traveled to many places, George loved the plains and mountains of Montana best.
Trapper, hunter, and skilled craftsman, George was happiest working with his hands and made his living in the centuries-old trade of blacksmithing. Prairie Elk Forge, established in 1985, sank its roots deep in Lavina, where George helped raise his three children while pounding iron in the backyard. His early appreciation for history provided a niche for his work among fur traders and historical re-enactors. His artistry gained popularity and can be found in modern architectural homes, as well as historic reconstructions throughout the National Parks of the West. He was always proud and honored to have his work in Yellowstone National Park and of his participation in the restoration of Old Faithful Inn.
George lived his life in service to others — from teaching hunter safety to mending farm equipment, he was always willing to lend a hand, give a pat on the back, and offer words of encouragement. His affection for animals began in childhood with an English bulldog named Mack, and he treasured many pets throughout the years. George was a great fan of the simple pleasures in life and took every opportunity to pat his horses, love on his dogs, and hug his loved ones. These included his parents and his in-laws Robert and Beverly Kelly, all of whom passed before him; his own children, as well as the children of others. George was as elated a grandfather as there ever was. He found much joy in playing and napping on the floor with his grandson, Cooper.
George was also a natural-born teacher of what he knew and loved. He and his family welcomed exchange students from Japan, Hong Kong and China into their home and worked with local children (and their pigs) over the course of 22 years of service to the local 4-H club.
This profound and beloved man is survived by his wife, Charlotte Kelly Ainslie; and their three children, Kit, Miranda and Heather Peters (her husband Dan and grandson Cooper Cowgill); his brothers, Bruce and Scott, their wives, Sally and Barb; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews; along with so many friends and acquaintances who miss him dearly.
There will be a memorial service on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 2 p.m. in the Lavina Public School Gymnasium, followed by inurnment at Lavina Cemetery, and a community luncheon back at the school. All are welcome.
Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.cfgbillings.com through "Our Families."
At a chance meeting in 1979, George found the love of his life, Charlotte Marie Kelly. They married on December 27, 1980 and shared an adventurous partnership for over three decades. From their honeymoon years on the "beaches" of the North Slope of Alaska, through the deserts and corn fields of South Africa, to the rolling benches of Little Careless Creek in the Snowy Mountains of Montana, there was rarely a dull moment. Like a good pair of boots, George and Charlotte were a perfect match. Though they traveled to many places, George loved the plains and mountains of Montana best.
Trapper, hunter, and skilled craftsman, George was happiest working with his hands and made his living in the centuries-old trade of blacksmithing. Prairie Elk Forge, established in 1985, sank its roots deep in Lavina, where George helped raise his three children while pounding iron in the backyard. His early appreciation for history provided a niche for his work among fur traders and historical re-enactors. His artistry gained popularity and can be found in modern architectural homes, as well as historic reconstructions throughout the National Parks of the West. He was always proud and honored to have his work in Yellowstone National Park and of his participation in the restoration of Old Faithful Inn.
George lived his life in service to others — from teaching hunter safety to mending farm equipment, he was always willing to lend a hand, give a pat on the back, and offer words of encouragement. His affection for animals began in childhood with an English bulldog named Mack, and he treasured many pets throughout the years. George was a great fan of the simple pleasures in life and took every opportunity to pat his horses, love on his dogs, and hug his loved ones. These included his parents and his in-laws Robert and Beverly Kelly, all of whom passed before him; his own children, as well as the children of others. George was as elated a grandfather as there ever was. He found much joy in playing and napping on the floor with his grandson, Cooper.
George was also a natural-born teacher of what he knew and loved. He and his family welcomed exchange students from Japan, Hong Kong and China into their home and worked with local children (and their pigs) over the course of 22 years of service to the local 4-H club.
This profound and beloved man is survived by his wife, Charlotte Kelly Ainslie; and their three children, Kit, Miranda and Heather Peters (her husband Dan and grandson Cooper Cowgill); his brothers, Bruce and Scott, their wives, Sally and Barb; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews; along with so many friends and acquaintances who miss him dearly.
There will be a memorial service on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 2 p.m. in the Lavina Public School Gymnasium, followed by inurnment at Lavina Cemetery, and a community luncheon back at the school. All are welcome.
Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.cfgbillings.com through "Our Families."
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