Oliver Dupuis
POLSON — Oliver was born May 25, 1930, in Polson, the only child of Peter and Ella Newgard Dupuis. He was hospitalized for a short time before entering Heaven’s Gates to be with the Lord on Sept. 5, 2017. His loving family was by his side during his final days.
Oliver was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lois Bras Dupuis. Together they had four children: Shiree (Ron) Ryan, Kendall (Linda) Dupuis, and Randall (Brenda) Dupuis – all of Polson, and Nola (Chris) Catlett of Kalispell. Oliver’s family also includes thirteen grandchildren: Kimberly and Tom Maloney; Scott Ryan; Chanel and Tim Lake; Anni and Brent Millard; Tyson and Andrea Dupuis; Danielle Valentine; Jayme Ryan; Daylen and Anna Dupuis; Tyler Dupuis; Kym and Travis Jensen; Jessica Valentine; Steven and Alysha Valentine; and Chance and Jessica Dupuis; and 26 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by brothers-in-law and sisters- in-law: Donna Cason, Mary Lou Cross, Bud and Dot Bras, Clarence and Sally Bras, John and Jeanne Bras, all of their children; and many Newgard and Dupuis cousins.
Oliver graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1950 where he had excelled in several sports activities. While in school, he also earned his private pilot license at the age of 15.
He was a member of the New Life Church in Polson and was active in the Saturday morning men’s meetings, and served the church as a member of the Board of Deacons until this past year.
Oliver was a member of the Salish Kootenai Confederated Tribes. Over the years he served on various boards such as Farm Service Agency Board, St. Joseph Hospital, and the Boards for Salish/Kootenai Electronics and Technology. He was also active on the local Cherry Growers Association Board, and managed his own cherry and apple orchards.
Oliver started his lifelong career in the lumber/sawmill industry as a young boy working at his father Pete’s sawmill on Minesinger. Dupuis Brothers Lumber was later moved to Dog Lake where he worked through his teenage years. That mill was later moved to Polson. He helped build that mill which employed two to three hundred employees at times and it ran for many years before selling it to Pack River.
Oliver was also active in the sport of hydro boat racing and he and his father designed and built the boats and motors used in the racing competitions. During those years as a boat racer, Oliver was a National and World Champion, and tied the world record for Class C Service Hydros. He shared these adventures with his family, and his pit crew that included brothers-in-law Clarence, Bud, and John Bras, and cousin, Keith Clairmont, as they traveled the racing circuit from Southern California through several Western States.
His life was adventurous, productive and fruitful. In all his endeavors he excelled. He ran his businesses, cattle operation, farming and orchards to the very end of his life. His love for God and his exceptional work ethic and passion for life is the legacy he has passed on to his family and friends whom he truly loved.
Services have been held. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in Oliver’s memory be made to the New Life Church or a favorite charity of choice.
Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at: www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
