Clarence Russel Blunt   Phillips County has lost the last member of a pioneer family.  Clarence Russel Blunt, 89, died November 24, 2020, of natural causes complicated by the COVID-19 virus. He was born July 27, 1931, on the Blunt homestead in Regina, Montana, to parents Alfred F. Blunt and Pansy Robinson McNeil.  He joined four older McNeil half-sisters:  Laura (Dyrdahl), Nina (Brundage), Velma (Bean) and Dorothy, who had lost their father and two uncles to the flu pandemic of 1918.  The family grew to include the four Blunt children, Grace (Helman), Marie (Wasson), Alfred F. Blunt, Jr., and the last born, Clarence.  He attended rural schools in the Regina area through 8th grade, and worked for his father on the family ranch until he married Shirley Ann Aikins Ore October 3, 1951; they were together nearly 68 years.  All have preceded him in death. 

In 1952 Clarence began working for a neighboring ranch, buying his own ranch in 1954.  Shirley had one daughter, Margaret, and they added four more to the family over the next four years; Kenneth, Judy, Gary and Gail.  In 1969 he joined in partnership with brother, Junior and bought the original Blunt homestead from his mother, forming Blunt Brothers Ranch.  He later sold his interest in Blunt Brothers Ranch to Junior and in 1973 bought the neighboring Carberry ranch, forming Blunt Ranches, Inc.  with his son, Kenneth. They operated the ranch together until 2002, when Clarence and Shirley retired to Malta.   

Clarence was active in the community, serving with the Phillips County Stockgrowers, became the Director of the Montana State Stockgrowers Association and served as a member of its Executive Council for several years.  He served on the ASCS committee for over 15 years and with the Phillips County Tax Appeal Board for over 20 years.  Clarence had a love for country music, golf, and playing cards.  He was playing whist, pinochle and cribbage until just weeks before his passing.   He played in many fiddling contests over the years and won a few.  He and his brother, Junior and several friends played for decades at First Creek Hall dances, the VFW, Legion Hall and many others.  Clarence could proficiently play five different instruments: the fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, and harmonica.  He played by ear, memorizing hundreds of songs and never learned to read music.   For the last decade he and friends volunteered to play concerts for the Hi Line Retirement Center and the Phillips County Retirement Home (while it was open) every month.  Clarence will be remembered for his quick smile, loud laugh, and strong handshake. He loved a good joke and treasured family, good friends and neighbors.     

Clarence is survived by five children:  Margaret Ore of Helena, Kenneth (Karen) Blunt of Malta, Judy Blunt of Missoula, Gary Blunt of Apache Junction, AZ, and Gail (Jerry) Sadler of Winslow, AZ, as well as 19 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.  Interment will be with his beloved wife, Shirley in the Malta Cemetery.  A memorial shall be held at a later time.