Gem H. Mercer, 90, died Saturday, July 12, 2008 at his home on Flathead Lake. Gem was born November 28, 1917 in Ava, Missouri but his family moved to Missoula shortly thereafter. He served in the Army Air Corp until the end of WWII. He was a waist gunner on a B-17 in the South Pacific where he earned the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross. After returning to the States he continued his flight training in Texas and at Texas A&M University until the war ended when he left the service and returned to Missoula.  Gem loved starting businesses and cleaning up properties for resale. In Missoula among the businesses he owned and operated were the Market Basket, Sunshine Bar, Trailer Mart, Traveler’s Treat Motel and Mercer’s Standard. He spent his summers on the shores of Flathead Lake preserving and maintaining the End-O-Kare Lodge, pulling every kid waterskiing and letting them ride the waves on the deck of his hand built “best d#! boat on the lake”.
In the 1970’s he moved his family to Polson permanently. In Polson he operated Mercer Mobile Homes and Sailmaker Realty as well as numerous investment properties. He provided leadership and service as President of numerous Polson community organizations including the Golf Association, Athletic Booster Club, Port Polson Ship Company, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Community Development Corporation and he served 17 years on the Shoreline Protection Board. In addition Gem received the Outstanding Service Award from the Polson High School Athletic Department, the Golden Service Award from the Polson Jaycees, Key Man of the Year Award from the Polson Chamber of Commerce, Lifetime Achievement Award from the Polson Rotary Club and served as Montana District Governor for Rotary International.
Gem was hardworking, unselfish and always optimistic. He provided education and business startups for all his children. He always served as a bank and a set of strong shoulders. He simply supported his family in every way possible. Gem helped many others realize their dreams with his generosity; he always found the best in people.
He is survived by his wife Billie, daughters Gem Renee and Shan Toussaint (Dennis), sons Jack, Toby, John (Tina) and David (Jessica), and his brother Harry, as well as numerous adored and adoring grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Bonnie and his son Michael, as well as by his brother Jerry and sisters Lena Thomas and Rita Nelson.
Memorials are suggested to the Polson Rotary Club which Gem loved with all his heart, or to Polson Dollars for Scholars.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 16th, at 11:00 am. at the Grogan Funeral Home in Polson. Military Honors will be held at the funeral home following the services. A private family burial will be held at Lakeview Cemetery.