Great Falls Tribune
July 23, 2017
Tucson, AZ — Ross Loney passed away May 1, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. He was the son of Laurie and Madeline Loney, and was born December 1, 1939 in Choteau, Montana. He grew up on the family ranch in Highwood, Montana and attended school there. Riding and breaking horses on the ranch, naturally, led him to the rodeo world.
He joined the RCA in 1963 and became the Rookie of the Year in saddle bronc, and, eventually ended up with a Gold card from the PRCA.
In 1965, he married Shirley Butterfield. They had two children, Renee Forbes and Josey Loney. Together they ran a branding crew out of Sahuarita, AZ, and at one point, he had an all-women crew.
He lived in California for many years and worked in the entertainment industry as an actor, wrangler, and stuntman. His credits included Little Big Man, Pocket Money, Ice Pirates, Silverado, Pale Rider, The Patriot, and many more.
He later married Marilla Lilore (Clinton). They relocated back to Great Falls where he became a hatmaker with Montana Hat Peaks.
He relocated to Tucson and continued making hats.
He had a passion for horses, guns, and telling stories. He was a talented horseman, gunsmith, and working with leather. He was kind, big-hearted man that was fun-loving. He never knew a stranger, no matter if he had known you for years or had just met you.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Madeline Edgar Loney; father, Laurie Loney; step-mother, Wilma Loney; and sister, Mary Perry.
He is survived by his daughters, Renee Forbes of Sierra Vista, AZ, and Josey Loney of Bozeman; grandchildren, Ashley Anderson (Andrew) of Grand Forks, ND, Gregory Forbes of Sierra Vista, AZ, and Jess and Hayden Roethle of Bozeman; siblings, Bill Loney (Pam), who has since passed, of White Sulphur Springs, Sharon Ruple of Great Falls, Clay Loney (Cherry) of Great Falls, and Cleve Loney (Cyndi) of Great Falls.
A celebration of life will be held on July 29 at the Eagles Lodge, 1501 9th Street South, Great Falls. Please come prepared to share any stories/pictures you might have of him.
He joined the RCA in 1963 and became the Rookie of the Year in saddle bronc, and, eventually ended up with a Gold card from the PRCA.
In 1965, he married Shirley Butterfield. They had two children, Renee Forbes and Josey Loney. Together they ran a branding crew out of Sahuarita, AZ, and at one point, he had an all-women crew.
He lived in California for many years and worked in the entertainment industry as an actor, wrangler, and stuntman. His credits included Little Big Man, Pocket Money, Ice Pirates, Silverado, Pale Rider, The Patriot, and many more.
He later married Marilla Lilore (Clinton). They relocated back to Great Falls where he became a hatmaker with Montana Hat Peaks.
He relocated to Tucson and continued making hats.
He had a passion for horses, guns, and telling stories. He was a talented horseman, gunsmith, and working with leather. He was kind, big-hearted man that was fun-loving. He never knew a stranger, no matter if he had known you for years or had just met you.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Madeline Edgar Loney; father, Laurie Loney; step-mother, Wilma Loney; and sister, Mary Perry.
He is survived by his daughters, Renee Forbes of Sierra Vista, AZ, and Josey Loney of Bozeman; grandchildren, Ashley Anderson (Andrew) of Grand Forks, ND, Gregory Forbes of Sierra Vista, AZ, and Jess and Hayden Roethle of Bozeman; siblings, Bill Loney (Pam), who has since passed, of White Sulphur Springs, Sharon Ruple of Great Falls, Clay Loney (Cherry) of Great Falls, and Cleve Loney (Cyndi) of Great Falls.
A celebration of life will be held on July 29 at the Eagles Lodge, 1501 9th Street South, Great Falls. Please come prepared to share any stories/pictures you might have of him.
LONEY, Ross
Born: 12/1/1939, Choteau, Montana, U.S.A.
Died: 5/1/2017, Tucson, Arizona U.S.A.
Ross Loney’s westerns – actor:
Ulzana’s Raid – 1972 (rider)
Pale Rider – 1985 (horseman)
Silverado – 1985 (Red)