Gary Joseph Dunn was born on November 28, 1951, to Joe and Edna Dunn in Helena, where he lived his entire life. He died at age 73 on March 28, 2025, of complications from a serious bacterial infection. His nephew Kevin Dunn and wife Jeannie were by Gary’s side with Judy at St. Vincent’s for much of his stay.
After attending St. Mary’s elementary school and Central Catholic High School, he and his classmates switched to Helena High School when Central closed. He graduated from Carroll College in 1973 with a degree in finance. He followed that up with a degree as a Chartered Financial Analyst.
A talented basketball and football player, he had to stop playing when he was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a painful auto-immune disease. Fortunately, he was still able to play fast-pitch softball and played on numerous local teams for many years. When playing became too painful, he pivoted from player to coach. He coached several girls’ softball teams and was a volunteer Assistant Softball Coach for Capital High for 31 years. When the Lady Bruins took the State AA Championship last year (one of three State Championships!), he was awarded the AA Assistant Coach of the Year Award—something he was very proud of. He cherished being lifelong friends with his fellow coaches, many softball girls, and their extended families. Coaches Mike Miller, Jerry Smith, and Gary remained close friends since the very beginning of Capital High Softball.
After a brief stint working for the Montana Milk Board as an auditor, Gary was hired as an analyst in 1981 by what was then Norwest Bank and Union Trust Company He was later promoted to Investment Officer and finally to the position of Principal of Institutional Investments; in that position he managed the mutual equity fund for Norwest Bank and then Wells Fargo Bank after the merger. He loved the stimulating challenges of his job and made life-long friends of his co-workers– Dave Roberts, Julie Hendrickson, Rob Thornburg, Greg Olson, Cory Bartsch, Michael Wong, Dave Ashby, and so many more. He retired in 2010.
A diehard University of Montana Grizzly football fan, Gary never missed a game—including all the national championship games. And he loved our wonderful tailgate crew at Washington Grizzly Stadium. He also had season tickets to Lady Griz games and loved being an enthusiastic fan and supporter.
A committed bachelor, Gary’s life changed for the better when he married Judy Rigler, the widow of one of his work colleagues and friends. He gained three kids and two grandkids in the deal, and he relished the role of being Grandpa Gary and spending time with all of them. He even had the patience to teach the grandkids to drive. He and Judy took several fun trips including Hawaii, Alaska, and Europe. They also made several trips to the Pacific NW and Erie, Colorado, to visit Bill and Cory. But he regretted not making it to New York City to visit Beth and go to a Yankee game in the new stadium. And many, many trips around Montana –especially with the Grands—made him happy. He and Judy often said that there wasn’t a single day that they didn’t laugh and laugh. They made the most of their time together and were very happy in spite of his declining health.
Gary had many passions in his life, and he gave freely of his time and money on them. As a lifelong Helena resident, he rarely went anywhere without seeing a friend. He would best be described as a gentle, kind, smart, enthusiastic, fun-loving man who should have lived longer but unfortunately died too young.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Rigler-Dunn. Judy’s kids (Cory, Beth and Bill Rigler (wife, Peri) and his grandkids (Payton, and Owen Rigler) loved Gary and cherished the times they spent with him. Gary had a large, wonderful family on both his mother’s side (deceased siblings Eileen, Delores, Bugs, and Donna) and his father’s side (deceased siblings Howard, Jack, and Ed).
Ed’s widow Ann Dunn and Gary shared a close bond. In addition, Gary is survived by many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. Since he was close in age to many of them, he was more like a brother than an uncle. He particularly loved taking them to Griz football games, and he loved organizing and sponsoring many family reunions at The Lions’ Camp.
The day before he passed, he rallied for a few hours, which was a precious gift to us; we think he did that to reassure us that he was ok. Rest in peace, dear Gary. You were so loved and will be so missed.
Friends wishing to donate in his name might consider Helena Food Share, Helena Humane Society, or the Capital High Softball Team.
Viewing will be at 11:00 a.m. with a funeral service to begin at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, 2025 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home.
Service Schedule
Viewing
11:00 a.m.
Sunday April 6, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave, Helena, MT 59602
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Sunday April 6, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave, Helena, MT 59602
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Sunday April 6, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Viewing
11:00 a.m.
Sunday April 6, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave, Helena, MT 59602
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Sunday April 6, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave, Helena, MT 59602
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Sunday April 6, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Thomas Hayes says
A good guy who greeted you as a close friend, even if you’d not seen him in years.
Jerry Smith says
You couldn’t find a better friend than Gary! We grew up in the 6th Ward, played peewee league baseball together, played softball against each other, and coached as volunteers at Capital High for 26 years for Coach Miller. Gary was a bonus Grandpa to a lot of Capital High fast pitch players, who he treated with so much respect, while spoiling them at the same time. That ball game in heaven just got a great coach, scorekeeper, and fan!
Cheryl Warburton says
So many lovely memories as we celebrate Gary in all his ways of making you believe you can do and be whatever you wanted. Family and friends were always important to him from the smallest to the oldest you knew you were loved and welcomed in his home. Judy always had treat for you as you sat and made memories. My life was richer with them both in it forever in my heart Gary. Judy beautiful tribute to a life well lived. Cheryl Warburton
Robert Den Herder says
Gary had a kind word to everyone He will be missed.
Brad Luck says
As an East Helena kid, I met Gary in the 4th grade or so as he visited the “sticks”. He was the first cool Helena kid I got to know. From there on I knew him well after I moved to Helena in the 7th grade, all the way through high school, up to the present. What a great person for all those many years! I loved it when he coached softball against our kids and seeing him at all the Griz games in multiple sports for decades. Best to Judy and the family. He made his mark as a good guy and will be missed.
Joseph ONeil says
I met Gary when I was in the first grade at st.marys grade school. Gary was a second grader and I don’t know how we became friends, baseball I suppose, but we became great friends, he and Danny Noel took me under their wing, for some unknown reason, and just made a better athlete and person. I couldn’t explain the things the did to me to help me grow up, but some of the fondest memories of my life. The hundreds of times we payed home run derby inthe lot next to my house, and then go play for the Lions pony league time I will always remember. Thank you Gary for always being my friend.
Marv St Clair says
Gary was a kind and gentle guy in high school. Sounds like he had an interesting and fun loving life and family.. May you Rest In Peace Gary.
Tom Naegele says
Supportive & Loving Prayers to Gary’s Family and life long Friend’s. He was a true and Gentle-man thru and thru. The Helena High Class of 1970 will miss you. Gary had and shared a Life well Lived and Blessed ALL he met. Rest In Peace my Friend.
Mike Van Diest says
Gary was a wonderful friend and teammate. I first met Gary when we were in the 8th grade. He played basketball for Saint Mary’s and I was playing for Saint Ann’s. Later he pitched for the Lion’s baseball team and I was on the East Helena VFW team. I could not hit his nasty curve ball. We were later classmates at Helena Central and Helena High schools. Some of my greatest memories were in the summer of 1968 when we were teammates for the first time Helena Reps Legion baseball team. A great friend who will be missed by many. What a great testament to his love for sports and the Helena community for his many years dedicated the Capital HS softball team! God Bless you Gary!!
Ross Duncan says
Gosh, it makes me so sad to be writing this. Gary and I were school friends, work friends, and softball friends. When we worked together at Norwest, he talked me into attending a meeting of the Helena Girls’ Softball Association because my daughter was just beginning to play, and he said I should get involved. It was a con! I left the meeting as president (thanks to him) and wound up staying involved long after my daughter aged out! It changed my life though; he had that happy effect on people. Truly a role model; always humble and kind. You are one of the good ones Gary. A life well lived and full of love. Hope you are dancing in Heaven my friend.
Frank Marron says
I have been friends with Gary since high school. We shared many “adventures” together. I have been thinking about all the great times we had. Although we didn’t always agree on everything, we still remained friends after all those years. He will definitely be missed by many. GO GRIZ!