Earl Lawrence Ebert, age 85, passed away April 16, 2020. Earl was born in the small town of Cut Bank, Montana, on October 4, 1934 to Lawrence Pierre Ebert and Agnes Kohel Ebert.
If you ever spent more than five minutes with Earl, you knew he was a “car guy”. Cars were his life’s passion and, as a teenager, he would tirelessly work on cars at the family-owned Oil Field Garage. But Earl was interested in more than just fixing cars – he aimed to push the limits of their ability.
For Earl, it was not just about making cars go, it was about making them go fast. He had a need for speed and love of highway racing. He framed and hung up his local newspaper notoriety clipping for the first high-speed radar ticket in Cut Bank as a badge of honor. Like many members of the Ebert family, he was “fast and furious” before the movies.
In 1957 Earl moved to Helena to work for his father-in-law’s Texaco and eventually launched Earl’s Conoco in 1968. He successfully ran his gas and car repair shop for more than 40 years. Earl’s Conoco supported him in raising a family and building his own small collection of cars.
In his files, there were dozens of letters from customers thanking him for the workmanship and the fairness of his billing. He only charged for work that was needed earning him and his business, a reputation of integrity.
Earl always valued the letters and thank you notes of appreciation from his customers. He would often offer discounted or free work for individuals going through tough times. Over the years, he used the business and his time to frequently give back to those in need of car repairs and a friend.
Equally important to him were the notes from employees at his retirement telling him that he was a fair and good man to work for during their time at Earl’s Conoco.
Earl also had an extended family that he spoke of frequently. The favorite of his extended family was the Pontiac Car Club of Helena. He also belonged to the Oldsmobile and Cadillac car clubs. He was able to attend Barrett Jackson and other car auctions in Scottsdale for 31 years straight. He told us that his favorite times were the hours of discussions with his “car cronies”.
Like many “car guys”, Earl enjoyed the simple things in life; a good meal, a hearty glass of OJ and a drive around town. Every time he got in a car, Earl knew that the destination was only one part of the journey – it was also about was how you got there, the people you met along the way.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Earlette. Earl is survived by his sisters Carole LaValley of Great Falls, MT, Helen Henderson of Cut Bank, MT, Vicki and her husband Don Presnell of Cut Bank, MT, and brother Richard Ebert of Cut Bank, MT. Earl is also survived by his son, Rob Ebert, daughter-in-law, Kim Gazlay, granddaughter, Crystal Ebert, step-grandson, Brayden Gazlay, as well as his long-term companion Terri McDonald and an extended family of nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.
A Celebration of Life and Pontiac Car Club Exhibition is scheduled for Wednesday, August 5, 2020, from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Marriott Delta “Colonial” Hotel, 2301 Colonial Dr., Helena, Montana 59601.
A Family Limited Burial is set for 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 7, 2020, at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Cut Bank, Montana. A Celebration of Life will follow the burial, Friday: August 7, 2020 at the Elks Club in Cut Bank, Montana. To ensure social distancing please RSVP planned attendance with Rob Ebert, Phone 602-820-4841 or Email: robertebert406@gmail.com
Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Earl.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday August 5, 2020
Marriott Delta Colonial Hotel
2301 Colonial Dr.
Helena, Montana 59601
Celebration of Life
After the burial
Friday August 7, 2020
Elks Club
Cut Bank, Montana 58558
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday August 5, 2020
Marriott Delta Colonial Hotel
2301 Colonial Dr.
Helena, Montana 59601
Celebration of Life
After the burial
Friday August 7, 2020
Elks Club
Cut Bank, Montana 58558
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Greg and Brenda Morgan says
Rob and family – sorry to hear about the passing of your father. We know that he is now in a much better place with no more suffering. Paul writes in Thessalonians – He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. And, John tells us that there are many rooms prepared for all of us. Your father has made it to the mansion and now awaits for his family to join one day to be with our Lord. Our prayers are with you and your family and please take care of yourself and safe travels when you return.
Eric & Miki Brass says
Hello Rob & Family,
So sorry to hear of your Father’s passing. He was our good neighbor for 34 years. He represented some of our best memories of the old neighborhood. It was hard to watch his gradual decline. He was trying to stay independent as long as he could, and we deeply respect that of him. He worked hard as business owner, and treated his employees with compassion and understanding. Miki and I rubbed shoulders with some of them that helped Earl over the years with the maintenance of his home. He took pride in his home, the neighborhood, and especially his vehicles. Truly a Pontiac man, if I am not mistaken! We will miss him, and remember him with warmth.
Respectfully yours,
Eric & Miki Brass
Dudley Williams says
Condolences to the family. Knew Earl for many years, and yes he was a Pontiac man , many fine cars in his collections. RIP EARL.
Mary Phelps says
Earl was a very good friend of ours and will be terribly missed.
Rob and Kim, you have our deepest sympathies.
Much love
Charlie & “Mike”
Rick and Mary Bell says
Our deepest sympathies to the Ebert family!
Kellie Lafave says
Earl was a peach of a man. I met him thru the Pontiac Pac car club. I will miss his great smile and kind heart
Mary Kay Bennett says
So sorry, Rob and family:
We go back so many years.
Stopping by the station & visiting Earl.
And, dances & parties with your gorgeous parents.
Earl & Maggie are joking and laughing it up in the last best place..Pontiacs everywhere. 💜
Mary Kay Bennett says
Rob, I forgot to mention this, your dad missed Earlette so much..they are together again and all is well.
Hope I get to see you in Helena!
Jo Ann Jones says
I met Earl through friends that attended the Pontiac Club. He always had a hug and a smile for me that warmed my heart. He was extremely proud of his family and spoke of you often. He was truly a sweet man who will be missed. We can grieve with hope because dying is not the end.
Marie M Brown says
So sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to his family. Earl and I were classmates in Cut Bank and in recent years, we met for lunch with other classmates at least once a year. He will be missed immensely.
Bruce Halcro says
Sorry for your loss
Earl was a Prince if a man – he was my neighbor in business and I now own his Conoco Station building.
I had the opportunity to attend several car shows with him – if I lost track of him I would just go to where the Pontiacs were parked. God speed my friend.
jeff and melissa sherlock says
Earl was a very honest man. Once I brought in a car for him to fix a gizmo. A mechanically inclined friend had told me the gizmo needed to be replaced. After taking everything apart Earl told me the gizmo was fine. He spent a lot of time on it and wouldn’t charge me because the gizmo was ok. He will be missed. Peace to his family.
David DeWolf says
So sorry to hear about Earl. What a great guy to work for. Lots and lots of stories could be told about Earl’s Conoco, by lots of us that worked there. I know he will be sorely missed. Best wishes and prayers for the family. Dave DeWolf
John Williams says
My heart is heavy for losing my friend, Earl is a peach of a man.
I loved his stories of youth and Pontiac tales. His knowledge about Pontiac’s was fun to listen to. My Visits I
had with him while he was trying to recuperate was met with much appreciation . He Was A Great asset to the Pontiac Pac Club and will be missed greatly! Just fun to be with him!
God’s Speed My Friend
D. Keith Nay says
Rob,
Sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. My Dad passed away about two years ago in Spokane.
Keith and Vikki Nay
Arthur Talpt says
Heartfelt condolences to all of Earl’s family. Earl was a special and outstanding friend at Cut Bank High School in the fifties. Earl and other friends spent many enjoyable hours at his father’s Oilfield Garage in Cut Bank, the place to buy Pontiac cars and GMC trucks at that time. We all pursued great interest in breathing life into seemingly exhausted old cars – Roy, a mechanic there, guided us through many close to hopeless efforts. I think of Earl and all those good times often. I am greatly saddened at his passing and will continue to remember him fondly. Art Talpt
Darrell Finsaas says
Rob, sorry to hear of Earls passing. I worked at Earls Conoco from 1966 to 1970. He was one of the finest people I knew and a very good boss. Many fond memories of working at Earls Conoco.
Doc Carl says
Earl, all I can say is “Race In Peace, But Be Noisy About It”
Ken Galbreath says
Earl thinking about our fun trips in a new Pontiac to Many Glaciers. Great days. You had a great ride. Ken Galbreath