Clifford M. Anzjon, 92, passed away peacefully at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls, Wednesday, April 3, 2013.
Cliff, the youngest of three sons of Severe and Petren Anzjon, was born in Jamestown, N.D. During his high school years he worked at the local Ford garage where, through the generosity of a flight instructor and fellow employee, he learned to fly, earning his private pilot's license. Cliff also played high school sports, but hockey was his best and favorite sport. We never missed Hockey Night in Canada. In his later years, when asked if we could take him to a professional hockey game, he declined, saying he wasn't interested "because they just don't score enough points."
Cliff attended the University of North Dakota where he joined the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, played hockey and enrolled in the Army ROTC program. Upon graduation he was commissioned in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
After his Army training he was assigned to the 549th Nightfighter Squadron. The Squadron was formed in Bakersfield, Calif., where, prior to deployment to the South Pacific, he married Frances Davis Anzjon; his wife of 58 years.
The 549th served on the island of Iwo Jima flying night missions in the P61 Nightfighter. Following his release from active duty, Cliff continued his military service in the U.S. Air Force, retiring after 20 years with the rank of lieutenant colonel, an achievement he was very proud of.
Cliff graduated from the Northern Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago in May 1949 and was admitted to practice optometry in Montana in July of that year. He and Fran moved to Kalispell from Jamestown and established his optometric practice that lasted 40 years.
Cliff was a member of Kiwanis, the Elks and very active at Epworth United Methodist Church.
Cliff was preceded in death by his wife, Frances; his mother and father; and two older brothers, Arnie and Erwin.
He is survived by his son, Steve, and his wife, Dianna; grandson, Brian; granddaughters, Amanda and Jessica, their husbands Tony and Mark; and three great-grandchildren, Henry, Mia and Atticus.
The family wants to express our never ending gratitude to the staff at the Montana Veterans Home for the wonderful, loving care they provided for Dad in his final years.
A private graveside service will be held at a date to be determined.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Clifford Anzjon, please visit our flower store.
Cliff, the youngest of three sons of Severe and Petren Anzjon, was born in Jamestown, N.D. During his high school years he worked at the local Ford garage where, through the generosity of a flight instructor and fellow employee, he learned to fly, earning his private pilot's license. Cliff also played high school sports, but hockey was his best and favorite sport. We never missed Hockey Night in Canada. In his later years, when asked if we could take him to a professional hockey game, he declined, saying he wasn't interested "because they just don't score enough points."
Cliff attended the University of North Dakota where he joined the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, played hockey and enrolled in the Army ROTC program. Upon graduation he was commissioned in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
After his Army training he was assigned to the 549th Nightfighter Squadron. The Squadron was formed in Bakersfield, Calif., where, prior to deployment to the South Pacific, he married Frances Davis Anzjon; his wife of 58 years.
The 549th served on the island of Iwo Jima flying night missions in the P61 Nightfighter. Following his release from active duty, Cliff continued his military service in the U.S. Air Force, retiring after 20 years with the rank of lieutenant colonel, an achievement he was very proud of.
Cliff graduated from the Northern Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago in May 1949 and was admitted to practice optometry in Montana in July of that year. He and Fran moved to Kalispell from Jamestown and established his optometric practice that lasted 40 years.
Cliff was a member of Kiwanis, the Elks and very active at Epworth United Methodist Church.
Cliff was preceded in death by his wife, Frances; his mother and father; and two older brothers, Arnie and Erwin.
He is survived by his son, Steve, and his wife, Dianna; grandson, Brian; granddaughters, Amanda and Jessica, their husbands Tony and Mark; and three great-grandchildren, Henry, Mia and Atticus.
The family wants to express our never ending gratitude to the staff at the Montana Veterans Home for the wonderful, loving care they provided for Dad in his final years.
A private graveside service will be held at a date to be determined.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.