Robert Jerry Bass

ROBERT JERRY BASS

Robert J. Bass, “Sam”, passed away on November 7, 2010 at St. Vincent's healthcare in Billings, Montana. He was 67 years old.

He was born on April 6, 1943 to Marvelin and Nellie (Carter) Bass in Wilmington, North Carolina. He grew up in North Carolina around Rocky Mount where he had relatives who thought very highly of him, especially his Granny Bass, who lived in Hopkins.

He joined the US Navy in May of 1960 at the age of 17 and received his GED there. He served on the USS FORRESTAL, a large aircraft carrier, and he talked with pride about his duty there. He received an honorable discharge from the Navy in April of 1964 at the rank of E-3. Sam was proud of his military service and served as Commander of the Belfry American Legion Post #84 in Belfry, Montana from 2004 through 2008 and Vice-Commander from 2008 to present.

He was married twice while he was in North Carolina. First to Diane M. Bass on June 18, 1963, and later to Penny Jane (Summerel) Bass on march 19, 1971. Both marriages ended in divorce.

After leaving the service, he entered the restaurant business and pursued that endeavor for a number of years in the south. Later he worked his way north and lived around Rawlins and Hanna, Wyoming, working mostly as a carpenter. Plagued with chronic back pain, he worked with various Veteran's Administrations in Wyoming and surrounding states and underwent various surgeries. He attended college at Bismarck State College in North Dakota, and Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming training to be a laboratory technician.

He worked for ranches around the Cody, Clark, and Powell area, and lived on the Tolman ranch at Clark when he became too disabled to work. He will be deeply missed by his friends.

Cremation has take place and a Graveside memorial service is planned by the Belfry American Legion Post 84 to take place at the Clark cemetery on Friday November 19 2010 at 10:30 am.

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