David Jacoby, age 75 of Helena

In Memory of Vietnam Veteran

David “Dave” Lawrence Jacoby, 75, was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend. He stayed strong until the very end and left this life a hero after a long courageous battle with cancer and a failing heart.  David peacefully passed away Friday, August 13, 2021 at his home away from home in Seeley Lake, Montana, surrounded and comforted by his loved ones.

David was born in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota to Lawrence and Ethel Jacoby on November 3, 1945. Two years later they moved to Great Falls, Montana where he resided for the next 45 years. When he was 8 years old, he was overwhelmed with excitement when he found out his parents were giving him the greatest gift; his “little” brother and best friend, Dean. They enjoyed going to car shows together and playing cards with friends or down at Lucky Lil’s Casino.  David attended high school at Great Falls High, but he wanted to chase his dream and in 1961 enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 16 with the permission of his parents. It was there that he completed his high school diploma. He served two years active duty before finishing his last four years in the Navy Reserves. David was honored to serve our nation proudly during the Vietnam War.

After being honorably discharged and returning home, years later David married his former spouse, Jeanna Brenaman, with whom they shared 4 beautiful children; Keith, Heidi, Jimmy, and Michelle. While their marriage didn’t last forever, they remained friends while raising their children until the end. Watching his children grow up gave him so much pride that he wanted to share it with everyone he knew, but it was package deal. Along with that pride, came unforgettable stories, anxiety and grey hair from their wild teenage years. He was so proud of the young men and women that they became and everything that they had accomplished.

David was a hard working man with amazing work ethic and worked from sunup until sundown even at an early age. He never shied away from any job too big or too small.  In his youth, he sold fishing leaders to make extra pocket change, but his first job was at the Great Falls Gas Company working as a meter reader. From there he worked part-time at Bailers Ice Cream Shop and then on to the Smelter as a painter.  He later went on to work as a Patrol Officer for Great Falls Parks & Recreation before becoming a Detention Officer at the Cascade Sheriff’s Department. For over 45 years he was also a painter who began his apprenticeship with Brummer and with years of hard work and determination, he built his own company DJ’s Painting. He happily retired at the age of 72.

In 1989, David met his beloved wife of 31 years, Christine Jacoby, a nurse at Benefis Hospital. Within this loving and enduring marriage, he gained another son, Jack and raised him as his own. Christine also shared his love of football, fishing, camping, keno and spending time with family and friends. In 2001, they moved to Helena, Montana, where they have resided the past 20 years. They were always ready to escape every possible weekend and every summer to go camping and boating at the lake with their fur babies; Dandy, Chester, and Lucky.

David was a kid at heart and his obsession for cars began at an early age. He lived for cars and trucks and he should have been a spokesperson for Armor All or at least bought stock in it for as much as he cleaned and shined them up every day. At one point his mother had counted he had owned over 136 cars, trucks, boats, toppers, RV’s, ATV’s, UTV’s, and motorcycles throughout his life…and that number was over 20 years ago. He said his biggest regret was selling his 67 Chevy Chevelle SS and never having the chance to attend a Barrett-Jackson car-show auction in person.  David religiously watched his NASCAR and Denver Bronco’s on Sunday’s and the Price Is Right and COPS during the weekdays. He was an avid hunter who was always looking for that next big buck or dreaming of getting a huge bull to hang next to his father’s royal. But those who knew him, knew his true passion and joy was fishing. Whether at Bean Lake, Canyon Ferry or Seeley Lake, his happy place was anywhere as long as he had a pole in hand and a Pepsi and Twizzlers or Nut Roll in his pocket.

David’s happy demeanor and good sense of humor made for great company with both friends and family alike.  He maintained many lifelong friendships and kept in touch with close friends weekly, whether watching a game, a quick phone call, playing horseshoes, going bowling, or playing poker with his buddies. Even if he just met them one time, he considered them a friend. He would wave and go crazy, honking the horn when passing anyone he knew, just to say hi and make them smile and let them know he cared. David will be greatly missed by all his family and friends. His memory will remain in the hearts of his loved ones forever.

David is survived by his wife, Christine Jacoby; his sons, Keith Jacoby, James (Yveth) Jacoby, and Jack (Lisa) Gillespie; his daughters, Heidi (Christian) Jacoby-Cook and Michelle Jacoby; his brother, Dean (Gayle) Jacoby, his brother-in-law, Chuck (Christine) Engren, and his grandchildren, Talon, Leanne, Kaylee, Kayden, Mackinsey, Jackson, Chance, Sarah, Jamie, and Taylor and eight great-grandchildren.  Preceding David in his heavenly journey were his parents, Lawrence and Ethel Jacoby, his mother-in-law, Josephine Engren, his uncles, Raymond Jacoby and Gordon Stach, his aunt Audrey Stach, and his niece, Melissa Brewster.

There will be a viewing to meet with family and friends from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Sunday August 22, 2021 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home located at 3750 N. Montana Ave., Helena, MT. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 23rd at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, located at 1502 Shirley Rd., Helena, MT.  Burial will follow the Mass at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison, 1900 Williams St., Helena, MT.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fisher House Foundation or to the Lewis and Clark Humane Society. www.lchsmontana.org ; David loved rescuing animals and supported their local shelter. FHF provides comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay while a loved one is receiving cancer treatments.  www.connect.fisherhouse.org

Service Schedule

Viewing

1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday August 22, 2021

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave

Helena, Montana 59602

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Funeral Mass

11 a.m.

Monday August 23, 2021

Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church

1502 Shirley Road

Helena, Montana 59602

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Burial

Following the Funeral Mass

Monday August 23, 2021

Montana State Veterans Cemetery

Heroes Road

Fort Harrison, Montana 59602

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