Montana has lost one of her greatest advocates. David Michael Logan died on August 14, 2019 after a brief illness. Mike was born on March 15, 1938 in Kansas City, Missouri to E.D. and Elizabeth Logan. He spent most of his youth in and around Coffeyville, Kansas, where he learned to hunt, fish and understand the ways of horses and cattle and the men who spent their lives with them. He excelled at football and track as well as academics, graduating from high school in 1956. Upon graduation, he worked for the United States Forest Service in northern Idaho as part of their decades long campaign to rid the forests of blister rust, a disease that destroyed large stands of white pine throughout the northwest. This experience gave him his first exposure to the mountains and streams that were a marked contrast to the prairie landscape of his early youth. In 1957, his hometown nominated him to be their “Community Ambassador” and paid his way to participate in the Experiment in International Living, a summer abroad program for high school and college-aged students. He traveled to New York City in June and while he and his fellow students prepared for the trip abroad, he met Judy Stahl from Yonkers, New York. That began a relationship that lasted the rest of their lives. They spent that summer in Switzerland, giving them both an experience with their people, and particularly their mountains, which would ultimately shape their futures. He spent the next four years in college and continued to work for the Forest Service during the summers. Mike and Judy were married in the fall of 1960. He graduated from the University of Tulsa with a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish in 1961 and attained a Master’s Degree in Education in 1966. Mike worked various jobs during the early years of their marriage as a model, taxicab driver, salesman for IBM and a Spanish teacher at a Catholic high school.
During his high school years, a good friend taught Mike how to fly fish and, as he’d say, it ruined him for the rest of his life. He became an avid fishermen and also a voracious reader of authors who traveled the world with a rod. When he and Judy wrestled with where to make their home, they knew it would be somewhere with mountains and abundant fishing. Mike had read of the fabled trout streams of Montana, so they set their sights on Big Sky Country. In 1968, they moved their family to Helena where Mike was hired as a Spanish teacher at Helena High School. During the first year of their time in Helena he fished over 300 of those days in what would become his adopted home state. He quickly came to love just about everything about Montana. Throughout his life, he found many ways to share that love with those around him.
He began to photograph the big fish he was catching and the surrounding landscapes. He found a keen interest that soon developed into a passion for wildlife, landscape and ranch photography that lasted the remainder of his life. He sold thousands of prints of his photographs and his work was published extensively in Bugle, Outdoor Life, Sports Afield, Montana Outdoors, Outside and many other periodicals. His talent culminated in four self-published books of his work that captured Montana, Yellowstone Park and ranch life in the Big Sky State. His experience photographing ranchers exposed him to their stories of that way of life. Soon he began writing poetry about the west and became a master of the genre of cowboy poetry. In 1991, he retired from teaching and traveled widely to present his poetic expressions. He was a regular emcee and featured poet at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada as well as Montana’s Cowboy Poetry Gatherings in Big Timber and Lewistown. He made appearances on the CBS John Denver Christmas Special “Montana Christmas Skies” and “The Charles Kuralt Show.” He was a featured entertainer on many of CruiseWest’s excursions to Alaska and the rivers of the northwest. In 2006, The Academy of Western Artists named him “Male Cowboy Poet of the Year.” He published three books of his poetry along with audio recordings of those works.
Perhaps more importantly, he was an excellent teacher and was recognized as an “Outstanding Secondary Educator of America” in 1973 and “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” during his last year of teaching. He was a master of the Spanish language, but he cared far more for his students than he did for his subject. He positively impacted the lives of thousands of youths during his 23 years as an educator in Helena.
He always had a ready smile and a kind word for his fellow man. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Mike was preceded in death by his wife Judy, his parents and his brother Jimmie Dale. He is survived by his sons Mark, of Bozeman and Sean (Kerry) of Helena and his grandchildren Ethan of Coffeyville, KS and Meghan and Sarah of Helena. He is also survived by his brothers Jerry (Helen) of Nowata, Oklahoma, John (Lana) of Branson, Missouri, Phil (Beverly) of Florence, Kentucky and sister Debbie (Bill) Mumford of Vancouver, Washington.
The Logan family would like to thank all of the fine people at Touchmark of Helena and St. Peter’s Hospice for the loving and humane care given during a difficult time of his life.
A service in celebration of his life will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 512 Logan Street in Helena on Saturday, August 24, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. To offer a condolence or share a story about Mike, please visit www.helenafunerals.com
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Sean Logan says
1 file added to the album DML
Ron Marcoux says
I joined Mike on a trip to Yellowstone Park with a class of his photography students. Wildlife were the photo targets but the most memorable were the campfire stories. My daughter and I frequently bring it up over the years. What a class gentleman whether helping students, caring about wildlife,
telling stories or giving you a smile.
Pat McKelvey says
Mike had a wonderful life. He had a view on life developed through those wonderful encounters that he apparently had daily. I will not forget the calmness of his voice, the delivery of his words, the tone of his story. While I didn’t see him often, he always welcomed you with a smile and a gentle hello. He made the world a good place.
Linda Nelson says
Touchmark has lost a smile and a friend. As a fellow writer and poet, Mike and I often shared our writings in small groups here at Touchmark. We also shared memories of living in Kansas and memories of teaching high school students. He always had a ready smile and chuckle. I am happy to have had the opportunity to know him. He is indeed a treasure.
Laurie gigette McGrath says
Sean and family,
I was heartbroken to learn of your Father’s passing. To me he will always be the man with the golden voice with the golden heart to match. I was blessed to be able to work with him on all his many books, posters, and videos. I will always treasure my copies with his wonderful messages written inside.
I am also fortunate to have the CD of his appearance on the John Denver Christmas special “Montana Christmas Skies”. It is a tradition to have that playing on the television every Christmas morning. He was thrilled to be a part of that show—and your Mom was thrilled to meet John Denver!
Thank you for putting the Elk video on here for all to enjoy that magical voice and his beautiful words.
Take care of you and yours and know that your Dad made many, many people happy. I am honored to have known him.
Laurie Gigette McGrath
Michelle Lingenfelter says
Señor Logan was my favorite teacher & a great person. Every year at the Vigilante Parade you could hear people shouting from the crowd “hola Señor Logan!†He was always there with a smile on the train. I am saddened to hear of his passing. Blessings to his family
Heidi Eschler Danicich says
Mr. Logan was one of my favorite teachers. He was my Spanish teacher at Capital High and I looked forward to his classes. Mr. Logan is someone who had a positive impact on my life and I will always remember him fondly.
Casey Clinch says
I’m sure glad I got the chance to visit with Mike recently … we’re all lucky to have known him.
Rusty O'Leary says
Mr Logan was my Spanish teacher in 1968. He had a great boisterous laughter. I saw him off and on over the next 30 or so years when I visited Helena. He always remembered me and my family. His absence will leave a hole of kindness in this world.
Cynthia Marshall Dillon says
A great teacher and positive influence on his students! I learned more than Spanish from him. Cynthia Marshall Dillon, Class of 1976.
Cynthia King says
So sorry to hear of this, dear Sean, Kerry and family. We are praying for you. – Cynthia and Philip
Kathlene Johnson-Sampson says
He was one of my favorite teachers. Only took Spanish for one year but, he was one of the nicest and most caring teachers I ever had. His loved teaching and those of us lucky enough to have him as a teacher knew it. His laughter when he joked with his students. Mr. Logan Rest In Peace thank you for being such an amazing person. KathleneAnn Johnson Sampson
Linda Kindrick says
This is wonderful. Love hearing his voice. We won’t be able to attend the service as we will be out of town, but we will be thinking of you and your family. God bless you!
Debbie Starr says
Thank you! One of my favorite teachers and it was wonderful to hear his voice.
Crystal Lynch says
Deepest sympathies and prayers to all. Mr. Logan was my Spanish teacher at Capital High School, fond memories of him. Very kind and fun. He will be missed.
Andy Burgoyne says
What a wonderful man and teacher. I loved attending his class. Running into him at the Bungalow years later during a Christmas celebration-he remembered me not only by name but also my Spanish name which he hung on me. God Bless him and his family.
Andy Burgoyne
Donna says
What an inspiration
Mary Abbott says
Mike and my husband Neil met at the second poetry gathering at Elko and remained great pards ever since. I have many fond memories of Mike and Judy later in life. The men really enjoyed each other and shared poetry thru the years. Neil recited a few of Mikes poems from time to time {with permission} and they would laugh about whose poems they were! Always loved Mike’s friendly nature, great smile and kindness he showed to every one he met. Mike was a true gentleman and a great friend. His collection of books, magazines and tapes are gifts I will treasure always. Truly a man to “ride the river with”. Sincerely, Mar
y Abbott
Chris Larson Perry says
Mr. Logan was my favorite high school teacher. I took his Spanish classes for 4 years 1970-1974 and learned to read, write, and speak the language quite well which has come in very handy living in South Texas now for 24 years. We held a fundraiser my junior year that allowed 5 of us to spend a month in Saltillo, Mexico, the highlight of my high school years. He took an interest in his students personally and professionally and often hosted students at his home for social get-togethers. I have followed his poetry career through the years and have 3 of his books purchased for me by my parents and autographed by him. I have a little grandson named Logan Michael and I often tell him about my beloved Spanish teacher named Mike Logan. Mr. Logan, you will be missed.
Kim Keltz says
Sean, Kerry and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you all!
Kim Keltz
Mary Anne McMahon says
Oh gosh! I loved your dad’s poetry! Thank you so much for sharing him with us once again! My favorite reacher who inspired me to be a teacher! I learned so much about teaching success from him!
Bob & Joan Berg says
To the Logan Family,
We were so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. He was a great friend of the Berg family and will truly be missed. We always enjoyed visiting with him on our trips to Helena — he was so interesting and fun! We enjoyed sharing many meals and outings with Mike and Judy. Mike was thrilled when we told him our daughter had recited one of his poems for English class, and he said he could just hear “Ol’ Cooky” spoken in a “Kiwi” accent.
We are honoured to have known him and will cherish our memories.
Bob and Joan Berg – New Zealand
Joni Chenoweth says
Thank you for sharing this, Sean. Your dad was truly one in a million in so many ways. Heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.
Jerry Laskody says
I’d like to offer my sincerest sympathy to Mike’s family on his passing. I knew him through cowboy poetry. He was not only an extremely talented poet but a wonderful human being. He encouraged me in my poetic endeavors and though he was a big talent in the cowboy poetry world, his warm smile and welcome “Howdy!” were there for everyone he met. His poetic delivery was second to none as were his poems. He may have crossed the Great Divide but his poetry will live on. Rest easy, Mike and God bless you.
Jerry Laskody
Saint Ignatius, MT
Jim Hamilton says
We would like to extend our sympathy to the family of Mike Logan. What an all around wonderful man. We met through the world of cowboy poetry. Mike was quite possibly the best poet I have ever heard and beyond question one of the nicest men I have been acquainted with. He was a great inspiration to many of us in the Cowboy poetry world. we are all better for having known Mike. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Jim and Marge Hamilton
Decker, Montana
Big Sky Cremation & Twitchell Funeral Se rvice says
An external video has been added.
Shelly Richtmyer says
I was sad to hear of Mike’s passing. I hadn’t had the pleasure of seeing him since he came and spoke at my mother’s funeral but I have so many fond memories of him. He came to many many of our Montana High Country Cattle Drives and would entertain us and our guests with his wonderful cowboy poetry. We would have some great talks around the campfire as he shared some of his vast knowledge. Just the sound of his voice was something I loved to hear. I wish I had heard of his passing sooner as I would have liked to attend his service. My sincere condolences to his family, from our family to yours.
Shelly Richtmyer
Townsend Mt
Shelly Richtmyer says
Thank you so much for posting this video!
Elaine Allestad says
What a good and talented man! His presence and voice will be missed!
Sandy Seaton Sallee says
Mike Logan was beautiful inside and out. He was a great man with a great big heart. Mike introduced me at the first Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering in 1986 with his “Ol’ Cookie” poem, and we became instant friends. I greatly admired his talents for writing, connecting with people, laughing at himself and life, photography, his dedication to Judy, his lasting gifts to his students and his friends, his voice, his drive, his realism and honesty. His memory will be forever stitched across the West with all of us who were so fortunate to know him. I am so honored to be included in his memorial video for our work on the John Denver Christmas show. The photos and stories of a young Mike I never knew will be savored and studied. Thanks so much to the family and I know he filled your hearts. My husband Scott also thought he was a top of the line class act.
Angela Brainard says
I had Senor Miguel as my Spanish teacher my senior year in HS at Capital High. He was my favorite teacher, and a huge source of moral support. He was the best! I found his book yesterday at the thrift shop. It is going to live on my coffee table for the rest of my life, if I can help it.
Glenn M. Donaghy says
Senor Logan was an incredibly wonderful teacher, role model and person. I had him for Spanish for two years at Capital High and loved every minute. I had some Spanish knowledge from having been born in Miami and he was determined to hablo espanol without a cuban influence. He was amused when I wrote to him and informed him my Spanish Professor in College was teaching Castilian Spanish and I was completely lost. He told me Castilian Spanish was like trying to pass off Cajun as French. He was not only my Spanish teacher, we shared a love of photography. We would share images with each other and I believe may have even competed against each other for the Montana Photography Competition. I left Montana 4 days after graduation and never really got back for over 30 years. The passing of Mike Logan leaves an enormous vacuum of humanity that will be hard to replace.
Glenn “Miguel” Donaghy