David George Bakas, 56, of Great Falls, died of prostate cancer Thursday at his home.
His memorial service is 11 a.m. Saturday at Masonic Temple, 821 Central Ave., with a reception to follow in the basement for all friends and family. Cremation has taken place. Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory is handling arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Ria M. "Buffy" Bakas; a daughter, Tiffany M. Bakas Modglin; and a son, Mark C. Bakas, all of Great Falls; sisters Robin Sorensen of Colton, Calif., and Linda Cedor of Great Falls; and one grandchild, Cali Jeanne Modglin of Great Falls.
David died in the loving arms of his wife and son. David was born Aug. 30, 1949, in Mitchell, S.D., and was raised in Great Falls from age 1 until age 11. At that time he moved to California to live with his father. In 1969, David graduated from Northview High School in West Covina, followed by two years of study at Mount San Antonio College. In early 1973, David moved back to Great Falls and married Ria M. "Buffy" Saunders on Oct. 14 of the same year.
During his earlier years, David enjoyed refurbishing income properties. He maintained his realtor's license for several years and then moved on to manage Charter's First Mortgage. He also managed the local Sherwin William's store. In 1986, David and his family moved to Kalispell, where he managed the Firestone Tire and Service Center until returning to Great Falls in 1992. At that time, Dave worked for Frank Schoenen Painting until his retirement in 1999.
David was a loving and involved father and husband to his two children and his wife. He loved to hunt and canoe and found great joy and satisfaction from growing flowers and trees and maintaining them.
Another passion in his life was his membership in the Masonic fraternity. Dave was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on Jan. 17, 1995. He served as Worshipful Master of Euclid Lodge for the y ear of 2001 to 2002. In recognition of his accomplished ability and attention to detail in degree work, Dave was appointed as Instructor for Euclid Lodge by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Montana. Due to the great affection and high regard in which he was held by the brothers of Euclid Lodge, Dave was honored by the brothers in receiving a fully funded life membership in 2003.
He was a member of the Great Falls York Rite Bodies - Great Falls Chapter No. 9 - Royal Arch Masons, Great Falls Council No. 4, Cryptic Masons, and Black Eagle Commandery No. 8 — Knights Templar. Dave was also a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason as a member of the Great Falls Valley Scottish Rite, and a member of the Bannack Historic Lodge No. 3-7-77 and Mullan Pass Historic Lodge No. 1862.
In 2004, in recognition of his commitment and service to the Masonic fraternity, Dave was awarded the "Brand of a Good Man" by Most Worshipful Grand Master, Dave Prewett. In further recognition of his example and overall contributions to Masonry, he was awarded the Silver Medal by the Grand Lodge of Montana in June 2005.
For those of us who knew and loved David, his presence will be missed immensely, but the memory of his gentle nature and the kind look in his eyes, will be with us forevermore. And the unselfish love that he showered upon us will always bring smiles to our faces and warmth to our hearts.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Arlis Marion Greene; his father, George W. Bakas; his stepfathers, Clint Harrington and Ward Saunders; and his stepmother, Thelma Bakas.
Great Falls Tribune Obituary published Nov 8, 2005
His memorial service is 11 a.m. Saturday at Masonic Temple, 821 Central Ave., with a reception to follow in the basement for all friends and family. Cremation has taken place. Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory is handling arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Ria M. "Buffy" Bakas; a daughter, Tiffany M. Bakas Modglin; and a son, Mark C. Bakas, all of Great Falls; sisters Robin Sorensen of Colton, Calif., and Linda Cedor of Great Falls; and one grandchild, Cali Jeanne Modglin of Great Falls.
David died in the loving arms of his wife and son. David was born Aug. 30, 1949, in Mitchell, S.D., and was raised in Great Falls from age 1 until age 11. At that time he moved to California to live with his father. In 1969, David graduated from Northview High School in West Covina, followed by two years of study at Mount San Antonio College. In early 1973, David moved back to Great Falls and married Ria M. "Buffy" Saunders on Oct. 14 of the same year.
During his earlier years, David enjoyed refurbishing income properties. He maintained his realtor's license for several years and then moved on to manage Charter's First Mortgage. He also managed the local Sherwin William's store. In 1986, David and his family moved to Kalispell, where he managed the Firestone Tire and Service Center until returning to Great Falls in 1992. At that time, Dave worked for Frank Schoenen Painting until his retirement in 1999.
David was a loving and involved father and husband to his two children and his wife. He loved to hunt and canoe and found great joy and satisfaction from growing flowers and trees and maintaining them.
Another passion in his life was his membership in the Masonic fraternity. Dave was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on Jan. 17, 1995. He served as Worshipful Master of Euclid Lodge for the y ear of 2001 to 2002. In recognition of his accomplished ability and attention to detail in degree work, Dave was appointed as Instructor for Euclid Lodge by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Montana. Due to the great affection and high regard in which he was held by the brothers of Euclid Lodge, Dave was honored by the brothers in receiving a fully funded life membership in 2003.
He was a member of the Great Falls York Rite Bodies - Great Falls Chapter No. 9 - Royal Arch Masons, Great Falls Council No. 4, Cryptic Masons, and Black Eagle Commandery No. 8 — Knights Templar. Dave was also a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason as a member of the Great Falls Valley Scottish Rite, and a member of the Bannack Historic Lodge No. 3-7-77 and Mullan Pass Historic Lodge No. 1862.
In 2004, in recognition of his commitment and service to the Masonic fraternity, Dave was awarded the "Brand of a Good Man" by Most Worshipful Grand Master, Dave Prewett. In further recognition of his example and overall contributions to Masonry, he was awarded the Silver Medal by the Grand Lodge of Montana in June 2005.
For those of us who knew and loved David, his presence will be missed immensely, but the memory of his gentle nature and the kind look in his eyes, will be with us forevermore. And the unselfish love that he showered upon us will always bring smiles to our faces and warmth to our hearts.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Arlis Marion Greene; his father, George W. Bakas; his stepfathers, Clint Harrington and Ward Saunders; and his stepmother, Thelma Bakas.
Great Falls Tribune Obituary published Nov 8, 2005
David George Bakas, 56, of Great Falls, died of prostate cancer Thursday at his home.
His memorial service is 11 a.m. Saturday at Masonic Temple, 821 Central Ave., with a reception to follow in the basement for all friends and family. Cremation has taken place. Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory is handling arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Ria M. "Buffy" Bakas; a daughter, Tiffany M. Bakas Modglin; and a son, Mark C. Bakas, all of Great Falls; sisters Robin Sorensen of Colton, Calif., and Linda Cedor of Great Falls; and one grandchild, Cali Jeanne Modglin of Great Falls.
David died in the loving arms of his wife and son. David was born Aug. 30, 1949, in Mitchell, S.D., and was raised in Great Falls from age 1 until age 11. At that time he moved to California to live with his father. In 1969, David graduated from Northview High School in West Covina, followed by two years of study at Mount San Antonio College. In early 1973, David moved back to Great Falls and married Ria M. "Buffy" Saunders on Oct. 14 of the same year.
During his earlier years, David enjoyed refurbishing income properties. He maintained his realtor's license for several years and then moved on to manage Charter's First Mortgage. He also managed the local Sherwin William's store. In 1986, David and his family moved to Kalispell, where he managed the Firestone Tire and Service Center until returning to Great Falls in 1992. At that time, Dave worked for Frank Schoenen Painting until his retirement in 1999.
David was a loving and involved father and husband to his two children and his wife. He loved to hunt and canoe and found great joy and satisfaction from growing flowers and trees and maintaining them.
Another passion in his life was his membership in the Masonic fraternity. Dave was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on Jan. 17, 1995. He served as Worshipful Master of Euclid Lodge for the y ear of 2001 to 2002. In recognition of his accomplished ability and attention to detail in degree work, Dave was appointed as Instructor for Euclid Lodge by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Montana. Due to the great affection and high regard in which he was held by the brothers of Euclid Lodge, Dave was honored by the brothers in receiving a fully funded life membership in 2003.
He was a member of the Great Falls York Rite Bodies - Great Falls Chapter No. 9 - Royal Arch Masons, Great Falls Council No. 4, Cryptic Masons, and Black Eagle Commandery No. 8 — Knights Templar. Dave was also a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason as a member of the Great Falls Valley Scottish Rite, and a member of the Bannack Historic Lodge No. 3-7-77 and Mullan Pass Historic Lodge No. 1862.
In 2004, in recognition of his commitment and service to the Masonic fraternity, Dave was awarded the "Brand of a Good Man" by Most Worshipful Grand Master, Dave Prewett. In further recognition of his example and overall contributions to Masonry, he was awarded the Silver Medal by the Grand Lodge of Montana in June 2005.
For those of us who knew and loved David, his presence will be missed immensely, but the memory of his gentle nature and the kind look in his eyes, will be with us forevermore. And the unselfish love that he showered upon us will always bring smiles to our faces and warmth to our hearts.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Arlis Marion Greene; his father, George W. Bakas; his stepfathers, Clint Harrington and Ward Saunders; and his stepmother, Thelma Bakas.
Great Falls Tribune Obituary published Nov 8, 2005
His memorial service is 11 a.m. Saturday at Masonic Temple, 821 Central Ave., with a reception to follow in the basement for all friends and family. Cremation has taken place. Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory is handling arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Ria M. "Buffy" Bakas; a daughter, Tiffany M. Bakas Modglin; and a son, Mark C. Bakas, all of Great Falls; sisters Robin Sorensen of Colton, Calif., and Linda Cedor of Great Falls; and one grandchild, Cali Jeanne Modglin of Great Falls.
David died in the loving arms of his wife and son. David was born Aug. 30, 1949, in Mitchell, S.D., and was raised in Great Falls from age 1 until age 11. At that time he moved to California to live with his father. In 1969, David graduated from Northview High School in West Covina, followed by two years of study at Mount San Antonio College. In early 1973, David moved back to Great Falls and married Ria M. "Buffy" Saunders on Oct. 14 of the same year.
During his earlier years, David enjoyed refurbishing income properties. He maintained his realtor's license for several years and then moved on to manage Charter's First Mortgage. He also managed the local Sherwin William's store. In 1986, David and his family moved to Kalispell, where he managed the Firestone Tire and Service Center until returning to Great Falls in 1992. At that time, Dave worked for Frank Schoenen Painting until his retirement in 1999.
David was a loving and involved father and husband to his two children and his wife. He loved to hunt and canoe and found great joy and satisfaction from growing flowers and trees and maintaining them.
Another passion in his life was his membership in the Masonic fraternity. Dave was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on Jan. 17, 1995. He served as Worshipful Master of Euclid Lodge for the y ear of 2001 to 2002. In recognition of his accomplished ability and attention to detail in degree work, Dave was appointed as Instructor for Euclid Lodge by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Montana. Due to the great affection and high regard in which he was held by the brothers of Euclid Lodge, Dave was honored by the brothers in receiving a fully funded life membership in 2003.
He was a member of the Great Falls York Rite Bodies - Great Falls Chapter No. 9 - Royal Arch Masons, Great Falls Council No. 4, Cryptic Masons, and Black Eagle Commandery No. 8 — Knights Templar. Dave was also a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason as a member of the Great Falls Valley Scottish Rite, and a member of the Bannack Historic Lodge No. 3-7-77 and Mullan Pass Historic Lodge No. 1862.
In 2004, in recognition of his commitment and service to the Masonic fraternity, Dave was awarded the "Brand of a Good Man" by Most Worshipful Grand Master, Dave Prewett. In further recognition of his example and overall contributions to Masonry, he was awarded the Silver Medal by the Grand Lodge of Montana in June 2005.
For those of us who knew and loved David, his presence will be missed immensely, but the memory of his gentle nature and the kind look in his eyes, will be with us forevermore. And the unselfish love that he showered upon us will always bring smiles to our faces and warmth to our hearts.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Arlis Marion Greene; his father, George W. Bakas; his stepfathers, Clint Harrington and Ward Saunders; and his stepmother, Thelma Bakas.
Great Falls Tribune Obituary published Nov 8, 2005
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