Don F. Scoffield, 83, of Three Forks passed away quietly at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings on Monday, September 20th.
Don was born in 1927 in Layton, UT and grew up on a farm, the youngest of 13 kids. He learned to work hard and enjoy life from a young age.
He met his sweetheart Patsy Del Moss as a sophomore in high school. Pat asked Don to a girl’s choice dance and their life together began.
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| October 23, 1946 |
They graduated from Davis High School in 1945 and were married the next year in the Salt Lake City Temple.
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| September 1956 |
The newlyweds headed north in 1949 to work for Don’s brother on the Park Trail Ranch near Toston, MT. An opportunity arose to run a ranch near Three Forks in 1951 and they seized the chance.
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| Scoffield Ranch May 1959 |
They were able to purchase the ranch soon after and have been ranching and farming the Scoffield land outside Three Forks every day since.
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George Brian(1), Ralph Don(8), Bonnie Lou(3) on the horse
Sandra Jean(5) in the front in the Spring 1960 |
Don was a proud husband and father. His sons and daughters learned to work at a young age and everyone was expected to do their part. The combination of farm work and parenting didn't always result in perfect harmony but there is no doubt Don loved each of his children immensely and that they were the pride of his life(just a little ahead of his horses and somewhere intertwined with his grandkids;).
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| Three Forks School Board 1973 |
In addition to ranching, Don worked at the Vet Clinic in Three Forks for 17 years. He also involved himself in the community over the past sixty years serving on the school board, Security Bank board of directors, participating in bowling leagues and attending as many TFHS sporting events as possible, especially when his children and grandchildren were participating.
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Don with Dexter in the 1970s. He caught the racing bug
after taking Dexter to the track. |
Don had a special love for horses from the time he was a boy. In the 70s Don bought a colt he named Dexter and raised him. He showed Dexter at the fair and decided to try him on the race track. This was the beginning of a life-long passion for owning and training race horses; a hobby that Don and Pat enjoyed together for decades.
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LDS church built in the 1950s. The building has served as
the Three Forks Public Library since 2000 |
As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints the Scoffields helped establish the Mormon congregation in the Three Forks area. They also played an important role in the building of the first Mormon chapel which now serves as the public library on Main Street.
No-one was a stranger to Don Scoffield and if you knew how to talk he’d soon know something about you. He loved to tease and though he’d surely deny it, he was the life of any party. His work ethic, jokes, songs, stories, and friendships are a hallmark to his memory that have left a print on thousands of hearts and that is the measure of a man.
He met his sweetheart Patsy Del Moss as a sophomore in high school. Pat asked Don to a girl’s choice dance and their life together began. 
7 comments:
Uncle Don, you will surely be missed. I am not sure what the final tally was, but I'm sure you still owe me for all the milk shake bets you lost between Townsend and Three Forks games!! I will miss your smiling face. Just know that I'll be collecting the money you owe me when I get up there!! To Pat and the rest of the family, my heart felt condolences. What a wonderful man you had for a husband, father, grandfather. Niki Scoffield
Dear Scoffield Family, we just wanted to send our condolences at the passing of Brother Don. It has been a pleasure to get to know several of the members of the family and to feel of your spirit. I personally had some amazing interaction with Don, and we would talk a lot about the topic: "work ethic." It was a part of his personal trademark. It was a blessing for us to know him and some of the other members of the family. Pat, we hope and pray the best for you in the days and years to come. May God bless your entire family.
Rex and Anna Dahl (former Bozeman Montana Stake President)
uncle don I always miss your special wit. and your caring manner To Patsy and family my condolences nephew Mike
What a wonderful write up you and did and what a wonderful man. You are so lucky to have such a great grandpa.
We all use the term "common sense" alot, but common sense is really not very common anymore. As a new member of the Scoffield family in the 60's, I grew to love Don and appreciated his straightforward, humorous, "common sense" approach to life. He and Pat and their family have been dear to us through all these years. Ward has very fond memories of working for Don two summers as a teenager. We love you, Pat, and will miss Don greatly...but we know he has just changed his area of work.
Ward & Sherry
Pat and Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. My folks had known you and Don long before I became " Wardell Family" member and always appreciated those Scoffields over in Three Forks. We appreciate all the many kindnesses you have shown us over the years and love our Scoffield family so much. Colton has many fond memories of times with Jared and his "Grandpa Don and Grandma Pat". Our hearts go out to you as you adjust to "keeping on" without Don by your sides. Thank goodness we know the separations are only for a short time... Love to all of you, David and Vicki Wardell and Boys
I will never forget Don's personality. He was always so happy. I remeber Don would always come out to the house and he would always look at me and say never give up ridding you are a amazing rider, i will never forget the random times he just showed up at our house. You will be greatly missed,and we will be seeing you up there one day. To the rest of the family my heart is with you. He was a great man, father, husband, grandfather, and a great friend. We love you Don.
Chelsey Landers
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