Forrest 'Frosty' Burrows

Forrest Frosty Eugene Burrows, 78, of Belgrade, Montana passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2009. 'Frosty' was born on August 12, 1930 at home in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Stephen and Ada Mae (Fairweather) Burrows. Weighing in at only three pounds, his small stature turned out to be an asset to him in his chosen career as a jockey. His incubator was a shoe box on the oven door. 'Frosty' began his racing career in 1945 and he rode throughout the States for 27 years before retiring to become a Race Official. He was especially proud to have ridden at Belmont Park and also of riding the top two-year-old Quarter-horse in the nation in 1958. His family and friends are all very familiar with the names Panabar and Lord Busher. He was named Bugboy of the year in 1947. He was proud to have ridden with some of the 'greats' during his career, including Johnny Longden, Larry Reynolds, Willie Shoemaker, and Nick Shook. Frosty was still exercising horses at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, AZ for Raleigh Swensrud in 1983. Over the past 50 years Frosty worked at Yellowstone Lumber, Belgrade Schools, D G Lumber and Matt's Saw Shop. Frosty and Holly Strub were married on September 19, 1959 at the Federated Church in Belgrade and have made their home in Belgrade ever since. Together they raised five children. He was very proud of his children and their accomplishments and was known to brag just a little on each and every one of them. Their successes were more important to him than any of his own. If you really wanted to start him bragging, you could ask him about his grandkids or great-grandkids. He was an avid Lady Bobcat fan and you could find him at every home game and most away games when his health permitted. He attended all kinds of band concerts and school programs and loved to watch the 'greats' at their wrestling matches, baseball or football games. He enjoyed having Zak play the guitar for him during his last days. The Christmas programs over the years were a special highlight for him. Frosty was a veteran of the 747 Tank Artillery Battalion and was honorably discharged in 1953. He was a member of the Belgrade American Legion, Post #0030. Frosty loved his family and was blessed to have made so many dear friends throughout his life; he valued each and every one of them and considered them all family. For such a little person, he will leave a mighty big hole in the lives of a lot of people. The family wishes to extend their appreciation to Bozeman Deaconess Hospice and Dr. James Cleary for the care they gave to him. A special thanks to Pastor Rusty Strickler for his spiritual and emotional support. Frosty was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen and Ada Mae Burrows, brothers, Tony Burrows, Ralph Burrows, (Jean) Charles Burrows, Leland Burrows, and Clyde Burrows (Eunice); sisters, Bernice Burrows, Velma Allen, and Lorraine Good; and daughter-in-law, Susan Burrows. Survivors include his wife, Holly; children, Allen (Julie) Burrows, Forrest Tony (Patty) Burrows, Janine Burrows Alberda (Doug), Lori (Dan) Love, all of Bozeman, MT, and Randy Burrows of Alamagordo, NM; 20 grand-children and 25 great-grandchildren; and many special nieces, nephews, and friends. Memorials in Frosty's name may be made to the Bozeman Deaconess Hospice, 931 Highland Blvd, Ste. 3200, Bozeman, MT 59715 or the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607, www.shrinershq.org. A Celebration of Frosty's Life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 8591 River Road in Bozeman.