Gary Cloninger, age 85, of Helena, MT passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2024 at the Serenity Point Living Home in Townsend, Montana with his wife ad step daughter, Helen, by his side.
He was born in Bozeman, Montana on March 15, 1939 to James and Macalena Cloninger. He attended school at the old Central School, Helena Junior High and his freshman year at Helena High School when he transferred to Cascade High School where he graduated.
He married Carol Arndt and made their home in Wolf Creek of which Carlene, Kevin and Keith were born. They later divorced.
As he grew up, he worked at a different ranch in the valley. He worked with the F&S Construction during the building of the Wolf Creek Canyon Highway then put in 24 years with the Montana Highway Department as an operator.
He married Peggy DeLaHunt on March 12, 1990 of which they just celebrated 34 years of marriage.
He retired in 1994 and they moved to Helena. He decided to keep busy so he went to work with Valley Dodge as a parts delivery person for about four years. Then he worked for Walmart as a stocker.
While in Wolf Creek, Gary was the president of the WCVFD for more than 38 years; he fought many forest fires in Montana, the last one being in the Plaines, MT Area.
Gary enjoyed many outdoor activities such as four wheeling, snowmobiling, skiing, camping, riding horses and his favorite, dancing and bowling. If he made a strike, the whole place knew it as he would yell “Ya Baby!” which was one of his team’s name.
Gary is survived but his wife, Peggy; siblings James (Faye) Cloninger and Wanda (Donald) Bollinger; children, Carlene (Bob) Boullion, Kevin and Keith Cloninger; step children Kelly (Traci) DeLaHunt; Helen (Bud Anzick) and Kasey (Jennifer) DeLaHunt; grandchildren, Kolton Cloninger, Jessica (Taylor) Coffee; Shanley Allen and Amanda (Austin) Reynolds, step grandchildren, Dillon (Danielle) DeLaHunt, Alex (Abby) DeLaHunt and Megan Martin. There are six Cloninger great grandchildren and three with the DeLaHunts. Gary had many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Gary was preceded in death by his father, James; mother, Macalena Cloninger; his step brother, Melvin Pocock, step sister, May Jeanine Richards and his step daughter, Laloni DeLaHunt.
The family would like to send special appreciation and thanks to the staff at Serenity Point.
A memorial service celebrating Gary’s life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, September 13th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A reception will follow the service at Sleeping Giant Lanes. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to the Alzheimer Research or to a memorial of your choice. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Gary.
Brad Bomar says
Sorry for your loss. He will be missed.
Jim and Sally says
Sorry for your loss. Gary was a good man.
Ken Iwen says
I have many fond memories of working with Gary at Dodge. He will live on through great memories.
Gerald crum says
Sorry to hear about Gary.
Marie M says
Sorry for your loss. He was such a character.
Judy Gardner says
We gad dome good horseback rides together. Peggy, sorry for your loss.
Shirley Bentzen Reese says
Peggy and family, I’m so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing! He was a great guy and had a terrific sense of humor. I’m glad you had these past years together to make wonderful memories.
My sincere sympathy.
Earle Damon says
Peggy, and all the Cloninger families
I am so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing, he was a great friend and pal
for many years. I was very honored when he asked me if I would do
his and Peggy’s wedding. Been many years since I saw anyone from home
as I been working many years overseas. I am going to be back by December.
God Bless all and my deepest sympathy to all.
Email :cowboywranglerus@yahoo.com
Earle Damon
A
Rich, Susan & Jonathan Proul says
Peggy and family: we are saddened to hear of Gary’s passing. He was definately a man so full of life!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May he rest in peace
Lee & Kristi Paulsen says
Peggy, We were so sorry to hear about Gary’s passing. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Tim & Kathy Royston says
Dear Peggy and family,
Sorry to learn about Gary’s passing, our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Roy Moreno says
Peggy & family so sorry of hearing of Gary passing I remember him from bowling he always told me a different joke during my last years bowling with him I would recall his Ya Baby I started to yell Yep in response I got it from a man off storage wars that hollered it when he placed a bid my sincere condolences he will be missed I can picture God looking down on him after a prayer in stead of him saying Amen he would remark Ya Baby RIP my friend
Sonja "Toni" Bakke Osterloth says
God bless you Gary. May you rest in peace. Condolences to Jim and all of your family and friends. My brother Fred Bakke and you surely kept things lively!
Andie Knaus says
Peggy, So sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. He was a good friend
To both Jim and I. Lots of good memories and good times. Thoughts and prayers with you. Andie
Julie Massaro says
Peggy, I am so saddened to see of Gary’s passing. I enjoyed bowling with you two all those years ago, and loved Gary’s off the wall jokes and sense of humor. I pray he is at peace and I’m sure he’s got them all entertained up there! Sending you much love!
Linda Nelson says
So sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. I remember him working on the State Highway crew in Wolf Creek years ago.
Pat Kessner says
Peggy and family. I am so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. I always enjoyed our visits, laugher, and hugs when I’d see you. He was definitely a character and one of a kind. My thoughts and prayers are with the Cloniger family.
Jackie lloyd says
Peggy, so sorry, I missed this.
Rest in peace.
Lanae Vetsch says
Peggy and family. so sorry for your loss. so sorry I misssed the memorial service. it was exciting when he got a strike at the bowling alley. RIP Gary