Bruce Arthur Safley, 73, of 3026 7th Ave. S., died Friday at a local hospital of cancer.

A memorial service is 2 p.m. Monday at Christ United Methodist Church, with Croxford & Sons Funeral Home handling arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the Great Falls Public Library or Christ United Methodist Church.

Safley was born March 1, 1922, and educated in Victor, graduating from high school in 1940. As a captain in the [Marines], he served as an instrument flight instructor during World War II [and the Navy preceding his time in the Marines].

In 1944 he married Margaret Ann Cox in Edenton, N.C. He graduated from, Montana State University in 1948. He was a manager at Monarch Lumber Co.in Bozeman and Cut Bank, before being promoted to division superintendent in Great Falls. He was also manager of the company's Great Falls retail yard.

After the sale of Monarch Lumber, he was manager of Prospect Lumber Co. until it closed. He later worked with Equitable Life Insurance, before working as a salesman at Lumber Yard Supply, retiring in 1984.

A C.M. Russell Museum volunteer, Safley was active in the Lions Club, Elks, Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club. He was named Salesman of the Year by the Montana Retail Lumber Association.

Surviving are [his wife, Margaret Ann Cox,] a daughter, Deborah Ann Safley Corak of Helena; a son. Dr. Douglas A. Safley of Havre; a sister, Dorothy R. Hill of Drummond; and three grandsons.

Great Falls Tribune Great Falls, Montana, 16Jul1995

Bruce Safley (1922)