Charles L. (Callahan) Floyd, 81, of Havre, died January 26 of pulmonary fibrosis at his home.

Born September 5, 1934, in Atlanta, Georgia, Charles spent his childhood on the move, in Lafayette, Alabama, and South Carolina and other southern states, moving where his mother's work took him, or living and working on his aunt and uncle's cotton and tobacco farm on the Little Pee Dee River, where he learned to hunt and fish and ride mules. One of his mother's jobs, managing a convalescent home in the country, required her to live on site with her two boys, where their playmates were members of a chain gang, one of whom taught them to climb trees for wild scuppernong grapes.

Charles looked up to his little brother Sam. Though often separated when sent to live with different relatives, the brothers maintained a close bond. At age 20, Charles joined the U.S. Army and served two years in Anchorage, Alaska.

While attending Furman University, Charles met his true love, Patricia Griffin, and they married in 1960 in South Carolina before starting their life together in a tiny trailer in the Palm Garden Trailer Court in Harlingen, Texas. He completed training at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy and began his 30 year career as a Border Patrol agent, intelligence officer, and assistant chief. In 1961 he was declared a U.S. Marshal and sent to Montgomery, AL, to help restore order during the violence that broke out when the Freedom Riders arrived in protest of racial segregation on interstate buses.

In 1962 Charles and Pat set off on their 53-year Montana adventure with their move to the High Plains and Havre. The marriage produced three daughters and much love during its 56 years. Charlie's love affair with Montana was also fierce and faithful. He spent as much time as he could with his horses, exploring his beloved Bear Paw Mountains and larger ranges farther west. He taught his Southern beauty to ride alongside him and shared many precious trips with her and with their family. His passion for hunting and for spending time in the great outdoors brought him much joy, as did his outings with beloved friends. A Southern gentleman, Charles also had a strong taste for fine dining, fine music and international travel.

When Charles reached middle age, he had the sweetest surprise of his life when a phone call from Alabama reunited him with the family of his father, whom he had not seen since age 3 and who had since died, at a young age. This reunion included meeting a half sister and brother who had waited for years to find their brother. The love between Charles and his new-found siblings grew deep and wide, and those relationships helped to heal the broken heart his father's absence had left.

After retiring in 1989 at the young age required for federal law enforcement officers, Charlie farmed for several years with his son-in-law Gary Kiemele and worked as a private investigator before living his dream career as a cowboy. For the next 20 years he rode cattle and checked fence for a number of ranchers, spending many glorious days in his leather throne.

Back in town, Charles was committed to his community. He served as chair of the Havre Police Commission for 20 years, until 2015. He was very active in the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church as an advisory council member, Sunday School teacher, choir member, and Yellowstone Conference Trustee. He served for 20 years as chair of the Salvation Army's Advisory Board. Governor Racicot appointed him to his Private Land/ Public Wildlife Advisory Council; he sat on the BLM's Resource Advisory Council, Intermountain President's Council, the Havre Public School Board, and was active in the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Hi-Line Chapter.

When Charles's illness demanded he receive assistance with a slowly increasing number of activities over the past five years, his steadfast companion Pat was undaunted in her role of caregiver and exemplary in her devotion, giving her all to let him die at home in his own bed with the help of Bear Paw Hospice. He knew he was one lucky man.

Charles was preceded in death by his father Charles L. Callahan and his mother Ernestine Watson Floyd. In addition to his wife, Pat, he is survived by his daughters, Nancy Richardson of Boise, Janet Henderson of Great Falls, and Penny (Gary) Kiemele of Missoula; brothers Sam (Linda) Floyd of Mauldin, SC; Fred (Mona) Callahan of Auburn, AL; a sister Charlotte (Gary) White of Bartlett, Tennessee; and four grandchildren, Kate, Alex, Christian and Caroline.