John Bradford Croston

John Bradford Croston, 71, of Livingston, passed away Sunday, February 22, 2015 at his home in Paradise Valley. A Funeral Service and Celebration of Johns Life will be held 10:00 A.M., Friday February 27, at the Franzen-Davis Chapel (118 N 3rd Street) in Livingston. Please bring a story to share Formal procession will follow to the Yellowstone National Veterans Cemetery in Laurel. Veterans honors will be conducted by Laurel American Legion and active Duty Army Honors Team. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the service at Franzen-Davis. John was born on April 30, 1943, in Bozeman Montana. He was the son of Ira Calvin Croston and Waneeta Mae Kidney. The family lived in Manhattan and moved to Clyde Park while John was entering High School. He received his education in Clyde Park High School now known as Shields Valley High and was a graduate of the Class of 1961. Following graduation John entered active military service in the United States Army on March 27, 1964, and served his country during the Vietnam Conflict. During his time of service John was stationed in France. He received an Honorable Discharge on March 24, 1967 earning a Nation Defense Service Medal. He remained committed to the United States Army Reserve for another three years. Upon returning from service John was set-up with Rosie through relatives. On September 10, 1983, John was united in marriage to Roseltha "Rosie" Robinson, at his brother, Eds home in Clyde Park. John and Rosie resided in Clyde Park as John was employed as a Machinist by the Burlington Northern Railroad out of the Livingston Hub. In 1995, John fulfilled a lifelong dream of being self-employed. He and Rosie had bought a Full Service Fuel Station in Harlowton. They relocated there and operated the store until Johns health declined. They then moved to Roundup where they had a dream home that was secluded and their own little slice of Heaven. In 2005 they once again moved to be closer to family. They made their home in Paradise Valley near their children. John and Rosie shared 31 years of marriage. Johns fortune in his lifetime was his grandchildren. He always had a love for family but once he had his first grandchild to spoil he found his happy place. He will be remembered as a wonderful caring and gentle husband, father and grandfather. John may not have been a man of lots of words but he knew how to let his family know they came first. John enjoyed living the Montana lifestyle. He took the family camping, fish and on hunting trips. He worked hard to provide for the family and always put the kids needs first. Once again his great pleasure was spending time with his family, grandchildren and friends. We are blessed to have had this man in our lives and will continue to be blessed by the memories we share of John. John is survived by his: Loving wife, Roseltha "Rosie", three sons, Matthew and his wife, Crystal of Great Falls; Samuel of Livingston and Justin and his wife, Wendy of Billings; one daughter, Terri Smith and her husband, Frank of Livingston; grandchildren Hannah, Jalen and Leinee Smith; Taylor and Riley Croston; Leigha, Stephanie, Caleb, Isabella and Kataya Croston; numerous nieces, nephews. Brothers Tom and his wife, Barbara of Red Lodge and Bill and his wife, Irene of Iowa; Sisters, Virginia Fullerton of Bozeman, June Baker of Three Forks, Shirley Suhr of Central Park, Dorothy Strum and her husband, Wayne of Seely Lake and Sue Johnson and her husband, Richard of Clyde Park. Sister-in-law, Cathy Croston of Clyde Park. Other relatives and many friends. John is preceded in death by his Parents, Ira and Waneeta Croston; Brothers Marvin, Robert and Edward and Sister Pat Ross. Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.