Gordon Ronald "Tex" Marchesseault

Gordon Ronald "Tex" Marchesseault peacefully passed away Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Dillon.

Tex was born in Dillon, Montana, to ranchers Robert Dewey and Cora Odessa Berry Marchesseau on December 19, 1940, and grew up on the FS Ranch on Grasshopper Creek in Beaverhead County.

Tex attended elementary schools in Polaris and Dillon. When he went to the Bagley School, he would often dress western complete with a cowboy hat. Principal Jim Womack hung the nickname "Tex" on him, and it stuck. He graduated from Beaverhead County High School in 1959.

During his high school years, Tex served as a President and a Parliamentarian of Beaverhead County's FFA Chapter, and a Second Vice President of the Montana State FFA. Tex was awarded 1st place in the Montana State Farmer Public Speaking Contest in 1960.

During the 1961 session of the Montana State Legislature, Tex was an Assistant Sergeant at Arms. He was a member of the Southwest Montana Stock Growers Association, the Republican Party, and the Bannack Association. 

Tex joined the Montana National Guard in 1963 and was stationed at Fort Ord, California, for six months of active duty. He continued serving his country honorably until 1969 in the Montana Army National Guard.

The highlights of his life were his trip to Washington, D. C., for the dedication of the National FFA Building, visiting England, Greece, Austria, Germany, France, Yugoslavia, Italy, India, Switzerland, and Nepal where he gifted his cowboy hat to a member of the Royal Family, and flying over Mount Everest.

Tex vacationed every year at the Charlie Russell Art show in Great Falls from 1986 to 2014. After flying over the Grand Canyon, its majestic beauty fascinated him all of the rest of his life.

He was a lifetime rancher in the Grasshopper Valley and enjoyed all the aspects of a rancher's life, including training cow horses for the ranch; his family, and friends. Several serious horse accidents plagued him with continuous pain most of his life.

The FS Ranch was started by his grandfather Edmond Marchesseau and has been operated for over a century by his sons and grandsons. Upon the passing of his father, Dewey, Tex was elected president of the Marchesseau Ranch corporation by his brothers in 1983.

Tex was a devout Christian and put his faith and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ for the rescuing and redemption of his soul.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Estelle Blomquist and Claire Owen, brother James Marchesseault, nieces Brenda Weber and Vanessa Warner, and nephew Carson Eva.

Tex is survived by his sister Estelle's children: Sharon (Jay) Chapman, Barbara (Tom) Breneman, Doris (Mike) Banning, Daniel (Linda) Blomquist, and Rosanne (George) Warner; sister Claire's children: Donna (Jim) Poulton and Bennett Owen; brother Robert (Mary) and their children: Corinne (Jim) George, Yvonne (Bob) Brown, Jeanette Eva, and Mark (Cindy) Marchesseault; brother Jules (Bonnie) and their children: Estelle Marchesseault Whitman, Annette Marchesseault, Jay (Terri) Marchesseault, and Julia (Vester) Wilson; sister-in-law Louise Marchesseault and her children: Jenifer Marchesseault, David Marchesseault, and Romeo (Cheryl) Marchesseault, and numerous grandnieces, nephews and cousins.

A lifelong rancher and cowboy, Tex headed up the heavenly trail to his much looked for eternal reward in heaven with his best friend, his Lord and Savior. Let us all rejoice with Tex, because he has seen the face of God, he's free from pain, has a skip in his walk and his spurs are a jingling. Happy trails, Tex!

A memorial service in honor of Tex will be held 10:30 am, Monday, March 25, at the Brundage Funeral Home. Interment will be at Mountain View Cemetery, followed with a lunch provided at the Dillon Elks Lodge.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to: Beaverhead FFA Chapter, 104 North Pacific Street, Dillon, MT, 59725; BeeHive Hospice, 1000 MT Hwy 91 S., Dillon, MT, 59725; or a charity of the donor's choice.