William "Red" Thomas Menahan

William Thomas "Red" Menahan, 78 Longtime Anaconda educator and legislator, William Thomas "Red" Menahan, 78, died in a Billings hospital on July 26, 2014, after a brief illness (pulmonary fibrosis). Red, as he was widely known, was born in Anaconda on Aug. 16, 1935 to William and Kathleen (McNay) Menahan. Red attended St. Peter's elementary school in Anaconda until third grade. After locking Sister Bernadine in a broom closet, he transferred to the public schools and graduated from Anaconda High in 1954. Early on, it seems, Red developed a reputation for challenging authority and charting his own path. As a boy, Red worked as a newsboy, selling papers (the Anaconda Standard) to smeltermen on the streetcar during shift changes. After finishing high school, Red worked on the section for the Butte, Anaconda & Pacific Railway before attending Carroll College in Helena. During his time in Helena, Red clearly developed a love for politics. And more importantly fell in love with Shirley Jackson, a Helena native. The couple married in St. Helena's Cathedral. While attending college in Helena, the couple had three children, Patrick, Kara, and Mike. Red graduated from Carroll College in 1963 with a B.A. in History and English and a young family. Red worked his way through college by tending bar at Higgins Cigar Store and the Rialto (in Helena), the 919 (in Anaconda), and the Mint (in East Helena.) He also worked at a laundry, Eddy's Bakery, and as a janitor at the Capitol, where he first observed the art of politics. In 1964, Red accepted a job at Inverness High School on Montana's Hi-line where he taught classes and coached basketball and football. In 1966, he moved to Anaconda where he began a 34-year career in the Smelter City as a teacher and coach, finishing his work as a educator as a principal at Lincoln school. A longtime member of the Anaconda Teachers' Union, Red was a member of Montana Officials Association, and worked as a football referee for three decades. A Green Bay Packer fan, Red was an ardent sports fan and had an encyclopedic knowledge of high school, college, and professional football. In 1973, he coached the Anaconda girls' basketball team, the Lady Copperheads, to the state championship. Red was elected as a Democrat to the Montana House of Representatives in 1970 where he began a thirty-year career, serving 15 terms. He was a champion for labor, public education, and state employees. He was a strong advocate for the state hospitals at Galen and Warm Springs and the Montana State Prison. He also worked on wildlife conservation and access issues for hunting and fishing. He served on many legislative committees, but spent many years and was best known as the chair of the powerful appropriations subcommittee on institutions. He frequently held leadership positions in the House, particularly as Whip where his job was to count votes and generate adequate support for the leadership's agenda. After the state's new Constitution was adopted in 1972, the Montana Legislature established its own staff-the Legislative Council, on which Red served. After retiring from teaching and politics in 2000, Red's public service continued. He has been a member and chair of the boards of trustees for Shodair Hospital in Helena as well as the Southwest Montana Area Agency on Aging and the Metcalf Senior Citizens's Center in Anaconda. He was a member of the Holy Family parish in Anaconda, the Anaconda Sportsmen's Club, and a life member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Red's sometimes acerbic and always entertaining wit was a well-known highlight of the debates of his legislative years and was very much a part of his private life. Red had a talent for telling a story and shared the gift of laughter liberally. As his daughter, Kara, has said "being with Red was like being at a party. You just don't want the party to end." Red's warmth, humor, and his efforts to help the less fortunate will continue to inspire those who knew him. Preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Jean Schiermeister; brother-in-law, Jerry Jennings. Survived by his wife, Shirley Menahan of Helena and Anaconda; brother, Ken (Cheryl) Menahan of Anaconda; sister, Bonnie Jennings of Lewiston, Idaho; sons, Patrick (Brenda) Menahan of Colstrip, Mike (Stacy Tureck) Menahan of Helena; daughter, Kara (Cameron) Beul of Denver; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 30, at Longfellow Finnegan Funeral Home in Anaconda. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, July 31, 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, Anaconda. Graveside services will be in Helena on Friday at 3 p..m. at Resurrection Cemetery with a gathering to follow at Jorgenson's.

Visitation

JUL 30. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (MDT)

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home 107 Oak St. Anaconda, MT 59711

A.O.H. Service

JUL 30. 7:00 PM (MDT)

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home 107 Oak St. Anaconda, MT 59711

Mass of Christian Burial

JUL 31. 10:30 AM (MDT)

Holy Family Catholic Church 217 W. Pennsylvania Ave. Anacoonda, MT 59711