Good day everyone. A little family history Fred Thackeray grew up on a farm in the Bear Paw Mountains southeast of Havre MT. Middle son of 5 boys. He moved to Dodson after WWII. He worked on cars and sold gas out of the H Earl Clack station. After marrying Gladys Astrid Crites June 29th, 1947 in Havre they made Dodson their home for 48 years. Fred began building their home and repair shop in 1949. Their living quarters were above the shop. Fred continued building on what was later lovingly named the Bus Barn.
The Dodson School set up its first bus route in the fall of 1955, with Fred being the successful bidder for the 20 mile south route. A north and a west route were added several years later. He operated the Dodson School bus system continually until his retirement in the fall of 1995.
During his tenure in Dodson he sold cars for the Standard Garage in Malta. Fred recalled in 1950 a new four speed pickup sold for around $1,570 and a new deluxe Chevrolet car with a heater and radio for $1,870.
He served as Mayor for 20+ years. Fred never ran for the position he was always elected by write in votes. He actually stayed quite busy as Mayor. He laughed as he remembered, a person working at an insurance agency insisted the city should purchase fire insurance on the newly built all-concrete water filled tank which held the city’s water.
Also there was a time, during the Dodson Fair that he had to break up a fight down at the Cowboy Bar. It led to putting one of the fighters in the town jail for the night. The next day as Fred picked up his mail the gentleman yelled out across the street “when can I get out of here Fred?” Dad said that he lost the key to the jail years ago and all he had to do was push the door open. If anyone knew Fred they would have known he didn’t like keys. If he locked his house and shop he would have to crawl in a window. The trunk key for his vehicles was kept in a safe place usually in the trunk.
Thackeray’s three children Darryll, Jacay and Tammy attended and graduated from the Dodson School. “The school has been an important part of our lives” Fred said.
Another very important part of the Thackeray’s livelihood were the combines. Fred started custom combining with a Gleaner in 1957. The 13 foot header without a cab was his first of many. The family owned business grew to seven 20 foot headers. At this time he mostly cut in Phillips and Valley counties. He grew the company to four “N-7’s” and set out for Oklahoma in 1975. For many years he custom cut his way back to Montana. Watching the farmers families grow and marry along the way. He cut in Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming before returning to Dodson usually around July 18th. His son Darryll cutting beside him every year until retirement. Daughters Jacay and Tammy would help Gladys cook for the crew’s.
When Fred retired from the Bus Service he sold out to his son-in-law Bob Voise and wife Tammy. Bob and Tammy left good jobs in Great Falls to move to Dodson.
In 1985 Fred underwent heart bypass surgery and needed help with the busses. Bob was a great candidate. He had spent his time in the Navy as a jet engine mechanic. Bob and Fred didn’t always see things the same. Fred didn’t like to fix things until they were broken. Bob wanted to fix most things before they broke using his jet engine ways.
Bob continued working for the Dodson Coyotes until he passed away February 12,2018. Tammy stepped into the position of keeping the bus system running until she quit the spring Covid became part of many people’s lives. May of 2020 was the last time a Thackeray bus made its rounds.
Bob enjoyed the children and their families as much as Fred. While Fred was able to take many kids to the movies and swimming at the Sleeping Buffalo over the years Bob couldn’t due to the changes with the insurance companies rules. Bob did however stop the bus to feed many families dogs along the route.
Both Bob and Tammy’s health dictated their amount of years running the busses.
Tammy has moved closer to her medical team in Billings, MT.
Stop and see her when you can. She’ll tell you a story or two.