George Allen "Casey" McLean

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather George Allen "Casey" McLean, 90, of Whitehall was called home, Thursday, July 13, 2017.

Allen was born at the family homestead in Norris, Montana on October 1, 1926 to George and Arvilla McLean. His grade school years were spent at Norris grade school, and he started high school in Philipsburg. He drove trucks for AM Wells and wrangled horses for rodeo contractor, Rich Richter, before joining the US Navy. He was assigned to the 27th Naval Construction Battalion as a MoMM3c serving two tours and receiving the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal during WWII.

After serving in the Navy he met and married Molly Howser, who remained the most important person in his life for the next 66 years. To support his family, Allen worked road construction on many of the roads and interstates that we drive on each day. He also worked, until he retired, at Cyprus Industrial Minerals in Three Forks. When Allen wasn't working at his "paying" job, he was always working for others building something to help someone out, or tinkering on something to make it work better for someone else. His skillset ranged from getting almost any motor running to inventing something useful to make life easier for someone. In his mind, if it could be welded, it could be made and if it didn't have a computer chip, it could be fixed. He was the protégé for "Bob the Builder" and always could be found in his shop. He loved it when anyone would stop in the shop to visit and had many good stories for all to hear. If you were a nurse, or waitress he would tease with a grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye. His sense of humor was quick and dry and appreciated by most! He defended his family with all his devotion and they were the most important part of his life. There was nothing he would not do for any of his sons and their wives, his grandkids and their spouses or his great grandchildren. He lived for his family.

Allen was preceded in death by his five brothers and sisters: Vernon McLean, Margret Decker, Norma Jean Jensen, Jack McLean, and Glen McLean. He is survived by his wife Molly; his sons Barry (Trudy) McLean; Bob (Annette) McLean and Mike (Kim) McLean his grandchildren Britt (Casey), Beau, Zach (Sammie), Megan (Burton), Casey (Haley), Seth (Bekki), and his great grandchildren Miles, Colt, Ty, Addy, Jaylee and soon to be born Averi.

A memorial service to appreciate who this special person was, will be held on July 25, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Whitehall.