Michael Patrick Cloud Sr. passed away on July 3, 2011, while on a family outing on the Beartooth Highway outside of Red Lodge.
Mike was born July 17, 1940, to Marjorie Curran and Charles Monroe Cloud. He attended St Mary’s Catholic School, Bryant School and graduated from Helena High in 1959, where he lettered and earned all-state honors in football, wrestling and track. He then went to the University of Montana to play football and later attended school at Carroll College. He was a proud product of the Sixth Ward.
Mike married Theresa Fox of Helena on Dec. 18, 1959. To that union four sons were born. He worked for several years bartending and pouring concrete. He retired in 1993 after working for 30 years for the state of Montana as a lab tech in the geology department, testing materials for roads and hillsides.
Mike was an avid sports fan; he played baseball for the American Legion and for the Helena Wranglers. His love of sports brought him into the coaching world where he coached Pony League baseball, umpired Babe Ruth league and started youth AAU wrestling programs in Augusta, Boulder, Deer Lodge, Helena, Townsend and Whitehall. This love then began his 22-year career of refereeing. He refereed football and wrestling and umpired baseball. He was inducted into the Montana Officials Hall of Fame in 1988. His many hobbies included bird hunting, fishing and attending Montana Grizzlies football games. Mike and Terry also traveled many miles following their children’s athletic activities, whether it be as a participant or coach. He dearly loved his grandchildren and the activities they participated in, even if it was basketball, cheerleading or soccer. Mike was also a member of the Cathedral of St. Helena Parish.
Mike is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, John Cloud; and his son, Kenneth Cloud.
He is survived by his wife, Terry; his children, Michael Cloud Jr. and Edie of Missoula and their children Kelci and Michael III, Mark Cloud and Sarah of Laurel and their children Colleen and Connor, Kevin Cloud and Lori of Black Diamond, Wash., and their children, Tyler, Courtney and Morgan; granddaughter, Stephanie Cloud of Henderson, Nev., and her boyfriend, Kyle Kendig; daughter-in-law, Tammy Cloud of Helena and her children Jamie and Cody; sister, Gerry Mae Oatman of Helena; sister-in-law, Margaret and Sterling Dowdy of Bedford, Texas; brother-in-law, Dan and Darlene Berube of Butte; sister-in-law, Perrie and Mac White of Helena; cousins, Jerry Cloud of Denver, Don Cloud of Montana City, Jack Sasek of East Helena and Terrie Dean of Oregon; and many nieces and nephews.
Honorary pallbearers are his many friends, you know who you are. He truly valued your friendship.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity or organization of donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.aswfuneralhome.com.
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Allen Stenhjem says
Terry and family. Our thoughts and Prayers are with you and yours .God Bless
Anni Druce says
Terry and the Cloud Family,
We are so very sorry for Mike’s passing. May all your fond memories help guide you through this very difficult time. “Pa” to us, had so many one liners, he kept us on our toes, made us laugh and will never be forgotten.
Love to all,
Tom & Anni Druce
Bonnie Nelson Best says
My prayers are with you and your family Teri.
The Loss of Mike h as left an empty space in my heart. Our history went back as far as the first grade, playing the big brother…making sure I was safe at the ice skating rink, or a YMCA dance. Everyone should be as close as the 6th ward group was. My Blessings to you.
Bonnie Nelson Bestwwww
Chuck Marshall says
Terry and family:
As a fellow product of the sixth ward I have many fond memories of Mike as a teamate and classmate at Bryant Grade School and Helena High. I remember him as a fierce competitor and one whom you were glad to have as a team mate and friend. Pound for pound, the hardest hitter I ever played with or against. The games on Friday night were a piece of cake after scrimmaging against Mike all week.
My condolences to you all. He will be greatly missed by you and all who knew him.
Best regards,
Chuck Marshall HSHS 1959
Cryss Anderson says
My most sincere condolences for the entire family during your time of berevement. I grew up on the same street as Mike & Terry, and spent a lot of my youth just hanging out in the alley with big Mike.
He helped me foster the idea that neighbors hang out on the street in the long summer evenings, looking out for each others kids & enjoying the company of those around you. Mike was never bothered by me hanging out or being obnoxious and was always quick with a friendly smile & wave hello. I wish I had come back as an adult to have a beer & share a laugh with him. A great family to have grown up with! Wish you all the best.
Dave Cunningham says
Terry and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May he rest in peace.
Dave and Patty (McCauley) Cunningham
Don Nichwander says
Terri and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Mike and I grew up in the 6th ward together. The Cloud family lived only three blocks up Lamborn Street from us. John was in the class of ’57, I was in the class of ’58. Mike and Frank Ursich always came to our reunions. Lots of fun.
Once again my condolences to you and your family.
Don
Florence Armagost says
My prayers are with you all as you remember Mike and his life. Bob spoke so well of Mike and the family.
Florence Armagost
flossie shaw says
Terry
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mike had such a passion for life that he shared with all who knew him.
Fred and Linda McDermott says
Terry – we are so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our prayers.
Fred Radke says
Terry and boys,Mike was a dear friend to me and I will miss him.He could always put a smile on my face.May God bless you all.
Jack Holstrom says
Terry and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you. Mike will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
John Link says
Terry and family,
My thoughts are with you in your time of sorrow. Mike will be missed greatly by all who knew, loved and respected hime.
May he rest in peace.
May you find peace and comfort with your family and friends.
Your friend,
John Link
Judith Williams says
Terry & family. I am so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. I met him at Helena High when I came into school from ranch country. He was a great and funny guy and good friend to my sister Doris and her husband Pete Peterson (9th Ward & Highway Dept.) My condolences, Judy Williams
Kelli Johnson says
Lumpy,Sarah,Colleen,Connor and Cloud family ~ you are in our every thought and prayer. We are here if you need us for anything.
Kelli, Dean, Olivia and Matt
Larry & Kitt Huggins says
This message goes out to all of the Cloud family. Larry and I were so sorry to hear about Michael passing. We send our love and prayers to each and every one of you. We got to know Michael at the Griz games and boy did he make our day with his jokes…..Knowing Mark & Mike and the rest of Clouds clan you guys will be a great comfort to your Mom and Grandmother. Fondely, Larry & Kitt
Leon & Marsha Belville says
Dear Terry and Family. We are saddened about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Leon and Marsha
Lori Eickmeyer Cole says
Oh my gosh! My sister, Terry just called and gave me the news. Kenny and Mike will be together watching over all the kids playing sports. The neighborhood will be at a loss without old man Cloud. Your family is in our thoughts, any thing you need please let us know. Terry Clark, Lori Cole and Jean Eickmeyer
Martha Berube says
Terry, Kevin, Mark, Mike and families,
I was so sorry to hear about Mike’s death. Please accept my sympathies. I saw the obituary in the online Helena Independent Record, with the nice summary of all his accomplishments in youth sports. He’s leaving a good legacy.
Love, Martha
Merle Hendrickson Owen says
Dear Terry: I am very sad for you; please accept my condolences.
Your classmate, Merle Hendrickson Owen
Reno, Nevada
Nancy & Neil Bredeson says
We simply can not express our sorrow in reading about the passing of Mike. Neil is very shook about this news that we read in the Billings Gazette.
He was very influential in Neil’s life. Oh my gosh…
what a loss. We are thinking of you all. We live in Basin, WY. and saw you at Griz. games and also remember when you took me on the ride to get things going when I was pregnant with our son, Peter.
He is now 37 years old and lives in Coeur d’Alene and has 2 children. Words can not express how we both feel.
Nancy and Neil Bredeson
Basin, Wy.
Pam & Charlie Brown says
Dear Cloud Family ~
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Mike was such a character and a fun person to be around.
My he rest in peace, memories remain with you all and time heal you.
May God Bless,
Pam & Charlie Brown
Helena, MT
Paul Bisom says
Cloud family—I am sorry for your loss. I enjoyed being around Mike, hearing the stories and being picked on. I will never forget the night he got out of bed to rescue my car from a snowbank–even if he and Terry teased me about it ever since! I also had the pleasure of playing baseball for him in my youth. Thanks for the pizza and the
memories Mike.
Rich & Bette Munger says
Terry, we are so sory for your loss. As a friend of Mike over the past 55 years, I find it difficult to express my feelings. I remember the good old days when we played footbsall together, and more recent times picking up pizza at your home, The coffee “dates”, and the jabs over Cat/Griz football. Mike always liked to remind me that Indians needed to drive Cadillacs. He was a great guy. No question that you and the boys will miss him greatly.
Try to hang in there.
Sandi & Dan Benson says
We are so sorry to hear this news. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. May the days ahead bring you peace and understanding. “God Bless”
Sara McLean says
Terry, and all of the Cloud Family- we are so saddened to hear of your loss. Mike was a very sweet guy, and we send our condolences.
With love and sympathy,
Jon & Sara McLean
Sharon Holmquist Mercado says
Dear Terry and family,
So sorry to hear of your loss of Mike. He was such a nice man and I know you will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Stuart Crawford says
Terry, I’m so glad I was able to come home for Harry’s 70th and was able to give you and Mike a hug and talk with you. I spent half my time growing up at your house and felt like you and Mike were an extra set of parents to me. God bless you.
Love,
Stuart
Valerie Joe Petelin says
Terry and family I was so sad to hear about Mike. You and your family have been through so much this year. My prayers are with all of you.
Wally Peel says
Terry and Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Mike was a wonderful man. Alhough it is difficult today to see beyond your sorrow, may looking back in memory help you in the days that follow.