TY MILNE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Ty was born on Feb. 25, 1964, to Curtis John and Iris (England) Milne. His birth was parallel with the Class A divisional basketball tournament being held in Glendive. Therefore, Ty was destined to love the game of hoops.

 

Ty, the youngest of five siblings, was beloved. His oldest sister Brenda loved his wit and humor. His sister Lorna shared his passion for wildlife and the outdoors. His sister Darcy was his confidant and advisor. And his big brother Kyle was his #1 idol -- as a boy Ty always wanted to dress like Kyle. Ty’s dad Curtis instilled in him a strong work ethic and the philosophy, “A business is only as good as the people working for you.” Milne Implement is a testament to this philosophy. Ty’s mom Iris gave him unconditional love and support. Ty recently shared with his son that a parent’s love is a divine love that you’ll never experience anywhere else.

 

Ty married his high school sweetheart, Tammy Maher, in Glendive on May 11, 1985. They were soulmates. Ty’s future mother-in-law, Etta Maher, was the nurse who signed his birth certificate, tying this tight knot from the beginning. In May of this year, they celebrated 31 short years of marriage. To this union three children were born: Brittany Lann, Brooke Marie, and Alex John.

 

Ty graduated from Dawson County High School in 1982, attended Dawson Community College and played for the DCC Buccaneers, then transferred to the University of Montana, graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration with Finance in the spring of 1986. Ty and Tammy returned home to Glendive where Ty began his career at Milne Implement, working alongside his father and brother. Ty’s grandfather, John Milne, started the dealership in 1941, which celebrated 75 years of service this year.

 

Ty’s life was separated by seasons: basketball season intermixed with hunting seasons. Ty’s love for basketball radiated through generations -- from playing pickup basketball in the driveway of his childhood friend Fred, to winning back-to-back Class A state championships (1981and 1982), as well as to being a coach to his children and nieces, always telling them to keep their elbow in and put their hand in the cookie jar.

 

When bow-hunting season rolled around Ty lit up. His passion for wildlife and the great outdoors cannot be attested for by the trophy antelope, whitetail deer, elk, black bear, mountain lion, and bighorn sheep that he killed, rather by the creatures he let walk by the foot of his tree stands. Ty practiced the ethic that hunting was not about the kill -- it was about spending time in the tranquil wilderness among God’s creations.

 

Over the years, Ty has participated in the Makoshika Bowmen, Glendive Girls Softball Association, Greater Glendive Community Foundation, and taught bow-hunters safety. Ty, however, was adamant his three greatest achievements are his children.