Hamilton – Ignace Scruggs, 90, of Hamilton, passed away Wednesday, April 9, 2014, in the Rose Room at Marcus Daly Hospice Care Center. Vadan was born May 1, 1923, in Mason, IL, the son of Glenn A. Scruggs and Grace M. (Peyton) Scruggs.
His family moved to Stevensville in 1934. He worked on his dad’s ranches before and after graduating from Stevensville High School on May 12, 1942. Vadan married Marjorie L. Clure on Aug. 4, 1944. He enlisted in the Navy, graduated from cook and baker school, was a ship’s cook in San Diego, and honorably discharged from the Navy as seaman first class USNR-Victory Medal World War II on May 3,1946. In California, he worked in a meat market and played trombone in jazz band.
He returned to the Bitterroot Valley in 1950, played tuba in the Creamery Picnic parades, worked in slaughterhouses, enjoyed horses and ranching, and operated Scrugg’s slaughterhouse from 1960 to 1974. He married Irene Lagerquist Crawford on May 1, 1978. He and Irene later moved to a 30-acre ranch on Foley Lane south of Hamilton. He sold this ranch and retired on Roosevelt Lane in Hamilton. He was a meat cutter for Sizer’s Economy Foods, Hamilton IGA (Hamilton Market Place), Duane Quainance on Lost Horse Creek and for other stores in Hamilton.
Vadan was an avid fisherman his whole life, fishing with relatives, family and friends. He and Irene enjoyed fishing and bowling together. He was always smoking fish for others, gardening and giving produce to neighbors and friends. He had a boat and camper, and traveled to Hauser Reservoir and other areas to fish. He saltwater fished the coast of Washington and especially enjoyed a fly-in fishing trip with Jeff Bernard to British Columbia to fish for king salmon and halibut. He went to school with Smokey Long and they were friends and fishing buddies together his whole life. He is survived by many fishing buddies, neighbors and friends. He always, always helped neighbors and friends without ever being asked, and was liked by most everyone he knew his entire life.
Vadan is survived by his brother, Bert Scruggs of Tacoma, WA; sister, Noma Giffon of Polson; son, Vadan L. Scruggs of Bonner; son, Russell W. Scruggs of Whitehall; grandson, Andrew E. Scruggs of Ennis;granddaughter, Sabrina J. Scruggs of Port Angeles, WA; stepchildren, Rick Lough of Corvallis, Donald Lough, and Marjorie Lough and step-grandson David Lough, all of Hamilton.
Vadan wished to have his ashes placed with his wife Irene. A memorial service will be held for family and friends in Hamilton on July 19. Time and location will be announced. The family suggests memorials to Marcus Day Hospice in Hamilton. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.