Donald Joseph Pocha 1938-2019

HELMVILLE - Donald Joseph Pocha, 80, of Helmville passed away Oct. 10 at home surrounded by his loved ones. He was born Nov. 20, 1938 to Joseph and Florence Pocha of Gilman, Mont.

In 1946 the family moved to Montana City where they had bought a ranch. He attended grade school in Montana City and Jefferson High School. In 1956 he and Hap (Sharon Ross) were married.

His early work was at the smelter in East Helena. He wanted to work at the cement plant in Montana City but they wouldn't hire him because of his small stature. When Donald showed that he could carry a sack of cement under each arm, they hired him. In 1974 the family bought a cattle ranch in Helmville and moved there. He continued work at the cement plant while establishing his cattle ranch in Helmville and commuted to Helena while Highway 141 was still a gravel road.

The ranch and his family were his pride and joy, his job and his hobby. In 1993 his first wife Hap passed away. In 1994 he met Julie Gehrke and in 1995 they were married.

Recently Donald's health declined and he really missed the ranch work but was able to help move cattle a few times. This summer he said he had lived here all these years and never fished in the Blackfoot River that ran through his ranch. His sons Steve and Don took him fishing several times on the Blackfoot River and he really enjoyed it.

Donald and Hap and later Julie attended the Helmville Community Fellowship Church. Before his death he was very thankful for his ranch and family. Even though he didn't want to stop working or leave his family, he knew he could look forward to his future in Heaven with his Savior Jesus Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Florence Pocha, brother Charles, his wife Hap, stepmother Rita Pocha and granddaughter Cheyanna Harbour.

He is survived by: his wife Julie; children John (Jean), Donald (Michele), Tammy Harbour, Dan (Jeannie), Steve (Steph), Todd (Rene) and Jeannie Pocha; stepchildren Tia (Shawn) and Mark (Kim); sisters Marcella (Jim) Watne, Helen (Qulan)Johnson and Karen (Stu) Melby; 25 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

The memorial service will be Friday, Oct. 25 at 11 a.m. at the Helmville Community Hall with a luncheon to follow.