John Sherman Dooling

John Dooling passed away May 12th in Dillon, Montana. John was born on February 13, 1940, and spent most of his life on the family ranch near Jackson. His parents, John Orville Dooling and Dorothea Matthews Dooling settled in the Big Hole in 1932, and built the Diamond Bar Inn, now the Jackson Hot Springs Lodge, in 1950.

John was a rancher and stewarded the family ranch for his entire life. He attended Montana State College where he studied agriculture and range sciences. He knew every plant in the Big Hole, down to the distinct varieties of sage brush. He cared for the land and was honored by the Nature Conservancy for his stewardship in a film entitled "Fish and Cow" which is available on YouTube. He also served on the Jackson School Board, and as a licensed pilot, on the Beaverhead County Airport Board for many years.

John is survived by his wife Gail, his son Tom of Lima, and his two stepsons, Jess and Dennis Kirkpatrick, and their families. He was adored by numerous nieces and nephews and his surviving sister, Ellen Raynard. He was proceeded in death by his parents and 4 of his 5 siblings, Janet Bertino, Mary Ann Troedsson, Catherine Dooling and Thomas Dooling.