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- Rich Ranch Montana Adventures
10 May at 18:34
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It is with a heavy heart we share the news of the untimely passing of our good friend, neighbor and longtime member of our crew Eddie Bass. Ed joined our outfit in the summer 2006, looking for a spot to give a purpose to his retirement years and share our journey. His strong work ethic, attention to detail, and watchful eye transformed the lawns and open space around our lodge and other ranch buildings from average to exceptional. His artistic gift did not go unnoticed. We received continual feedback from our guests about how well-kept and neat our ranch footprint was. Over the course of these last 10 years with us, he took an otherwise typical landscape and turned it into a showplace that anyone would be proud of.
We all especially enjoyed our time together around the dining room table, when he shared stories about his life and adventures working the oil fields and cattle ranches that stretched from Montana to Texas......and back. Ed never met a stranger and had a friendly word and smile and wave for all.
He loved his home in Skillyville and his family and shared warmly each of their accomplishments along the way. He spent his off time tending to the needs of his family, helping friends and neighbors and working on his cabin. He was proud to show whoever was interested the beautiful changes that he made. He was very much looking forward to working with his grandson, Bridger at the ranch this summer.
Ed, you will be missed by your Rich Ranch family. May you Rest in Peace...
Find-a-Grave Obituary
Eddie Lee Bass
Born: March 1, 1944 in Lufkin, Texas
Passed away: May 9, 2016 at his home in Skillyville (Seeley Lake, Mont.)
Ed was 72 years old.
Proceeded in death by: his mother Nora and step-father Carl Beaty; father Merrel Bass and brother Merrel (Buster) Bass.
Ed is survived by: his three daughters Tina Christiansen, Ginger Barham and Karla Skillicorn; seven grandchildren Brandon, Rebecca, and Tara (Tina and Mark Christiansen); Levi and Tyler Barham (Ginger and Randy Barham); Bridger and Madison (Karla and Don Skillicorn); and seven great grandchildren.
Ed served in the Army from 1962 to 1965 and was stationed in Germany. He was very proud of his service time. Returning stateside, Ed married Karen Bourgeois in 1968 and together they had three daughters.
Ed and Karen lived in Great Falls. Ed worked 13 years for the Philips 66 Oil Refinery.
He then moved to Glenrock, Wyo. where he was a lease pumper and later went on to off-shore drilling rigs. Ed was a Superintendent for Waste Water Treatment Plants in Bozeman and Missoula. Ed and Karen parted ways.
Ed then moved to Texas for ten years and ran the MC cattle ranch.
Ed's trail led him back home in 2005 to Skillyville, where he would be closer to his daughters and loved ones. In the summer of 2006, he began helping out at the Rich Ranch and was warmly welcomed into their family. Ed positively transformed everything he touched from the beatification of the Rich Ranch grounds (attested to literally from folks around the world), to the time, effort and craftsmanship he poured into his cabin on the homestead and lives he encountered on a daily basis.
Ed loved his girlfriend Bonnie Jean Thurman for the last nine years. They enjoyed spending time together each weekend and going to town for breakfast and coffee. Bonnie made Ed a cake or pie every weekend that rarely lasted until the next visit.
Ed loved Montana, was at peace and very content with the life he had built around his family and friends. He was a true storyteller and loved to play his guitar around the campfire. Ed never met a stranger, just a friend he hadn't met yet. He would always greet you with a warm smile and a story to tell. Ed loved teaching and helping his grandchildren. He always made time for those who crossed his path.
Ed was a man of faith that trusted in the Lord. He was a true cowboy and will be greatly missed now that he has ridden off into the sunset. We love you and will miss you!!
Go Rest High On the Mountain
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Bassett Family Association Database
1922 - 2004 (81 years)