Douglas Gaut
1942-04-11 2016-10-28Doug Gaut
Douglas Samuel Gaut passed away Oct. 28, 2016, at St Patrick Hospital of natural causes
while surrounded by his family.
Doug was born in Inglewood, California, on April 22, 1942, and during his formative years
he traveled and spent summers in Wyoming helping out o the family ranch.
This taste of country life, of horses and roping, convinced him that city living was not for
him. After graduating high school, he joined the army and was stationed in Germany
before eventually finding his way to Montana. Soon after landing in Montana, he bought
a piece of property in the Ninemile, and that great valley has never been the same since
his boots set down.
He met Barbara a few months later and promptly told her on their first date that "he
wasn't the marrying type”! Three months later, he asked for her hand in marriage.
(Anybody who knew Doug knows he had good sense!)
In 1971 Doug and Barb bought the 9 Mile House and built what would become the heart
of the community for the next four decades. Doug loved to ride, so he built an arena and
put on jackpot roping for the community. He also loved to fish, and would bring home
kokanee from Flathead Lake to throw fish fry parties for everyone. Most of all, Doug
enjoyed including his neighbors when reveling in the good things in life.
His three children„ Matthew, Katie, and Jerry, were the favorite part of his life. He
followed them from tee ball to college football across the state and beyond, rarely
missing a game. Some of his greatest joys were pulling them behind the beat in the inner
tube, seeing their faces after hooking into a big lake trout, or playing practical jokes with
his right hand man Fred* the Mouse; anything he could, do to get a laugh or a smile. He
knew more than most the value of bringing joy to others.
Doug remained dedicated to the schools and community even after his children
graduated. In addition to serving as a founding member of the Frenchtown Stadium
Fund, he continued to attend games and support the Broncs and the Ronan Maidens up
until the very end.
Later in life, he beat throat cancer and endured a hard fought battle with multiple
sclerosis. Through it all, no one ever heard him utter a word of complaint. In his final
days he still found room for humor, making faces at his grandkid, looking for one last
laugh from the crowd.
Doug is survived by his wife Barb, their three children, four grandchildren and his brother
and sister. Freddie the Mouse also lives on.
In lieu of flowers, we request donations be made to the Pablo Humane Society. A
celebration of Doug's humor, love, and generosity will be held at KJ's Ninemile
Steakhouse on Saturday, Nov. 5 from. 1 to 4 p.m. Please bring your stories to share
I did not know Doug in high school, but met up with him in 1990 while on a vacation visiting my sister in Missoula, Montana. She operated a small mercantile at a place called 9-mile, Huson, Montana. I mentioned to my sister that I had a classmate whose address was like that..she said those were stagecoach stops ...9 mile, 13 mile..etc. Then I saw a sign on a tree "property for sale, inquire 9 mile house, Doug Gaut. OH my ..that is him. What a small world. He married a girl who used to babysit my sisters children. When we got there, I waited a bit, because they stayed up late at the steak house...about 2, I went over to their place and knocked at the door...Does Doug Gaut live here? Yes..who are you? Well I am from the reunion committee from the class of 1960, Inglewood High school and I wonder why Doug has not been coming to our reunions? haha well...he told me his story..and how after serving in the military, Inglewood was just not the same..he went up north and was a logger in Montana..and then met his wife..married and ran the wonderful 9 Mile steak house...they have three children and he said IF I had the money to go to a reunion in California, I would spend it on my kids...I thought it was great and I was so happy to have seen a successful life and a happy man.
tribute by Diane Deal Tollefson