Michael Truman Greely, “Mike”, 76, of Helena, MT, passed away on January 26th at his family cabin on the Missouri River with his loyal companion, Rudy, by his side.
Mike was born to Myril J. and Laura Lee Greely on February 28th, 1940 in Great Falls, MT. Mike graduated from Great Falls High before attending Yale University. After college Mike taught High School in Oklahoma and served in the Army Reserve, before heading to the University of Montana law school. After his law degree Mike served as an Assistant Attorney General under Forest Anderson and then became a Deputy Cascade County Attorney in 1969. While in Great falls, Mike represented the area as both a state representative and state senator. Part of his terms were the first under Montana’s new constitution in 1972. Mike was elected Montana’s Attorney General in 1976 serving 3 terms, the last longest serving Attorney General in Montana. He ran for Governor in 1988 and Montana Supreme court justice in 1992, losing both elections. Mike finished his career in private practice, before retiring to the cabin on the Missouri River. He was passionate about Fly-Fishing and the tranquility of the Missouri River. He also enjoyed golf, crosswords, cribbage and sweets. He loved his family and penned this poem:
“My goal in life was to be a success
Another goal to avoid loneliness
What is success was unexpected
To settle for less was not accepted
But as I aged and became much bolder
It seems success needs the eyes of a beholder
Most important, family came first
It was not success to quench my thirst
It does not matter what you do
If there is a loving family that loves you”
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Myril J and Laura Lee Greely. He is survived by his wife Marilyn Greely (Myhre), his children Winston Greely, Morgen Heckford (Greely), and Anna Lee Greely, his daughter-in-law Lorelle Berkeley, son-in-law Damian Heckford, his grandchildren Adelade and Keaton Heckford, his sister Nancy Souder (Greely) and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday February 11th in the old Supreme Court chamber located in the Capitol. Memorials in Mike’s memory can be made to the Missouri River Watershed Alliance, P.O. Box 11, Wolf Creek, MT 59648 or West Mont Agency, 2708 Bozeman Avenue, Helena, MT 59602
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Sue Miller says
I still remember the first time I met Mike in Great Falls during his first legislative campaign and since then, I always appreciated his intelligence and perspective. Though I have lost touch with you all over the last few years, you hold a special place in my memories and most especially during your time of mourning. Please accept my sincere expression of sympathy.
Sue Miller
Linda Cauble says
We will miss Mike up here on the Missouri. His presence next door was comforting. Knowing he was here when we arrived on Thursday nights. Walking his dogs down the lane during the day. Just knowing he was watching over this part of the Missouri when we were not at our place meant so much. Love to all the Greely family. Linda and Chris Cauble
Rod ""Senator" Lukasik says
I met Mr. Freely during my sophomore year in HS. I was a student involved in Montana Youth In Legislature program. I was a reporter with the student paper and I was granted an interview by Mike. I’m now 50. That short time he spoke candidly with me shaped the way I viewed politics…. Never missed a vote and though I never succeeded in my bid for house seat in MT legislature o did make history on s tie in 06. Thank you to a Man who made a difference in my life!! Farewell and RIP
Ken Dunham, Folsom CA says
I was saddened to learn of Mike’s passing. Our paths crossed when he was a young deputy county attorney in Great Falls and I was a young TV news director at KFBB-TV. We often had conversation about ongoing cases that merited news coverage and often just talked life in general. Later, in politics, him in the Democratic circles and me in the Republican circles, our paths often crossed – but always fairly, respectfully, and often with a lot of humor. I considered Mike a friend and he will be missed. Our condolences to his family and friends. He was a good man.
Bob and Mardi Millons says
We were so upset to learn of Mike’s passing. We send our prayers to the family. God Bless Bob and Mardi Millons
Chuck Johnston says
As a ranch manager and a fellow lawyer, my late uncle, Fred Johnston, shared an office with Mike Greely in Great Falls for awhile. Mr. Greely and I had a short conversation at Uncle Fred’s memorial service in Augusta during 1988.
Mr. Greely’s sister, Nancy Souder, was my third grade teacher at the then-new Morningside Elementary School in Great Falls during the 1961-62 school year. While in her class, a number of her pupils, myself included, attended her wedding at the First Congregational Church, where I attended Sunday School while living in Great Falls.
I also had two other young, unmarried women teachers while in kindergarten and the second grade, both of whom got married a short time after the school year ended and I was promoted to the next grade. My track record with young, unmarried women teachers apparently created much amusement. My mother told me that there was some talk in jest that I be put in the fourth grade class of another unmarried teacher if my family had not moved to Southern California during the summer of 1962.
Please accept my condolences to you and the rest of your family.
– Chuck Johnston Ventura, California
Williams Family says
Condolences to the Greely family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your whole family. Psalms 147:3 says God, “heals the broken hearted, and binds up their wounds.” May God bring you comfort and peace.
Bob Stephan says
When I was Kansas Attorney General Mike and I crossed paths and met on many occasions. He was well respected and he enriched all with whom he was associated. My condolances to the family.
Bob Stephan
rita pikkula says
So sorry to hear this. Our deepest sympathy to all the family. We will be out of town babysitting the grands, so will miss his service. Our thoughts will be with you.
Gale and Rita Pikkula
Anonymous says
Serene Retreat was purchased for the family of Michael “Mike” Greely.
Bob Wefald says
Mike was an excellent leader of the National Association of Attorneys General. I very much enjoyed the several opportunities we had to work together. Susan and I both enjoyed our trip with Mike and Marilyn with other AGs to Japan in 1984. He was key to us getting in to visit with Ambassador Mike Mansfield.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Bob Wefald
North Dakota Attorney General
1981 – 1984
Rick McAlmond says
Marilyn, so sad to hear about Mike, he will surely be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
Rick and Barb McAlmond
Josephine Vowell says
My aunt called me about his passing and read the beautiful poem he wrote, I love it may I share it on Facebook? thank you Josephine Vowell Halfway, Oregon
Mike Goff says
Marilyn and Families and Nancy and Families,
I was so sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. I have known him all my life and considered him a part of our Great Falls Family. He will be greatly missed. I know that he and my brother Bob are playing golf right now in heaven. God Bless You.
Mike Goff
Cheyenne,WY
BJ & Gordon Hoven says
Marilyn. Gordon and I were also shocked and sadden to read of Mike’s passing. Our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Among many things, he was a great man and a great Democrat. Love and prayers. BJ & Gordon Hoven
Joe Roberts says
It seems but a few years ago that I arrived in Helena as a freshman legislator and found that the couple in the adjoining apartment were the newly-married Greelys from Great Falls. It turned out that Mike and I had similar committee schedules so we would often ride together to the Capitol— and coincidentally started a long friendship. Mike was such a “big guy” that he could appear quite aloof and imposing, but certainly not the case for anyone who got to know him at all—- in fact one of the gentlest people you could ever know. Mike got in to politics for the right reasons— to make life better for the people he represented and not to serve his own vanity.
I will cherish my many great memories of and with Mike.
May the Greely family find some peace and strength in the days ahead, and know how highly regarded their husband and father
was by so many people.
—- Joe Roberts Helena
Merlin Voegele says
Marilyn and Family,
We were sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you a this difficult time.
Merlin and Laura Voegele
Helena, MT