Donald Elliott

Donald L. Elliott passed away Sunday August 19, 2018 at the Renaissance Senior Care Center where he had resided for the past couple of years. He was born in Kenmare N.D. on August 23, 1927 and was just 4 days shy of turning 91. Don served 4 years in the navy on the USS New Orleans in the south Pacific and upon discharge in 1946, moved to Hamilton, MT where he met and married Marjorie June Kress on March 30, 1948. Together they had 4 children all of whom survive, Kress & Lani Elliott of Polson, MT, Monte Elliott of Dillon, Bruce & Loreta Elliott of Payson, AZ and Kathy & Delbert Hunt of Dillon. Don worked many jobs in Hamilton including the Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Lab. In 1952, he answered an ad in the Missoula paper for a Salesman in Dillon, he got the job and returned to Dillon to begin working for Berger-Cochrane motors. They moved to Dillon on December 28th 1952 which began his career as a successful Ford, Lincoln, Mercury dealer. Don was very active in local and state politics and proudly served on the Ford Motor Advertising Board. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge and the VFW. He had many partners and finally purchased the dealership in 1960 from George Gleed. He built the new garage in 1965, named it Elliott Ford Sales and later Elliott Auto Sales with the addition of Chrysler, Jeep and Bombardier. Don was successful in most everything he did, Bought and sold a ranch north of town, built the first Mini Storage in Dillon, had several inventions, sold the dealership and the real estate retiring in 1985. They bought a home in Yuma, AZ where they would spend the winters golfing and socializing. Marjorie passed away in January of 1994. Don then met and married Norah Owen that same year. It was his wish to be cremated and no services are planned at this time. There will be a private family memorial later this year. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie, his three brothers, Leo, Lynn and Dale Elliott all who served in World War II and an infant granddaughter. He is survived by his wife, Norah, his children and grandchildren, Kory and Tawnya, Travis and Charlotte, Kayla, Kandis and Kris as well as 7 great grandchildren with another great granddaughter and a great great grandson on the way.