Melvin Frederick (Butch) Ducharme

Arlee--- Melvin “Butch” Frederick Ducharme, 80, surrounded by his loved ones, passed away at Logan Health in Kalispell, MT on May 16th, 2025.  Fred was born January 19, 1945 in Polson, MT to Vivian and Basil Ducharme.  Fred was raised in Polson along with his three sisters and eight brothers.  He attended school in Polson and then graduated from Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau, SD.  He attended draftsman school in Cleveland, OH. 

While attending draftsman school, Fred worked as a concessionaire at the Cleveland Indian’s Baseball Stadium.  Fred enlisted in the US Air Force, serving in Iceland and Japan during the Vietnam War.  While living in Los Angeles, CA, raising his children Candi and Brian on the beaches and in the theme parks, the call of Montana was too strong.  Fred packed their van and moved his young children home to Arlee, Ronan and then Polson, MT.  Fred enjoyed spending time with his children and large extended family, including summers with his oldest son Thom. 

Fred worked for the CSK Tribes at Safety of Dams, and as a surveyor for the CSK Tribes, and both Marengo and Balstad Surveying.  Fred put his skills as a draftsman to work surveying and creating land plats and documents, most of which are still on file and used today. 

Fred was also a prolific stick game player, attending local powwows yearly, playing into the wee hours of the morning.  Win or lose, he loved the folks that played along side him.   He also played hundreds of cribbage games with his, siblings, cousins and daughter.

Once his children were raised and off on their own, Fred returned to sunny CA.  He was an avid road biker.  He loved riding his personalized road bike, riding the trails surrounding Long Beach daily and culminating in an annual 100 mile bike ride. 

Fred is preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Gary, Bud, Mick and John, and sisters: Nadene and Myrna. 

Fred was married to Zelma Ducharme but later divorced. 

Fred is survived by his sister Carol, brothers: George, Bebe, Toke, and Herb.  Children: Thom and wife Gaylene, Brian and wife Marie, Candi and husband Normand. 

Grandchildren: Andrew, Dale, Bryan and Caylyn DuCharme, Vivian and Jonah DuCharme and Amanda, Bradley and Chevy DuCharme. 

Greatgrandchildren: James, Zachary, Noah, Sebastian and Xavier. 

A Rosary for Melvin “Butch” Frederick DuCharme will be held at the Jocko Church in Arlee, MT at 7pm on Tuesday May 20th, 2025 with funeral service at 11am on Wednesday May 21st, 2025 at the Jocko Church in Arlee, MT.  Internment to follow funeral service at the Jocko Cemetery. 

In lieu of memorials or flowers, donations can be made in Fred’s name to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, a beloved charity to Fred. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Melvin Frederick (Butch) Ducharme, please visit our floral store.