Garren Townsend

November 26, 1938 ~ May 13, 2018

Service: July 10, 2018 11:00 AM
   Location: Sunset Hills Cemetery
Graveside Service: July 10, 2018 11:00 AM
   Location: Sunset Hills Cemetery

Garren Dean Townsend passed away May 13, 2018.

Gary was born November 26, 1938, at his grandmother’s house on North Bozeman Street. He lived his entire life in the Bozeman area.

He attended schools in Bozeman, including Longfellow, Hawthorne, Emerson, and Gallatin County High.

Gary met the love of his life, Sheila Fay (Christie) Townsend, in the spring of 1955 while working for Orville Oma in the Bridger Canyon. They were married on November 30, 1957 and spent 47 years together. Sheila passed away on July 15, 2004.

Gary worked at several area ranches on weekends and after school. He also worked for Bozeman Carburetor and Electric, K.F. Olsen Body Shop, Brence Union 76 Gas Station, Haggerty Messmer Construction, Gallatin Lumber, Orville Oma, Carl Weissman and Sons, and Donald R. Edens Construction.

He later went to work for MSU and retired from there after 32.5 years of service.

Gary was a master handyman and built many beautiful pieces of furniture and cabinetry with great precision for family and people all around the Gallatin Valley. He could fix almost anything and did everything from electrical work to plumbing, car repair, and could build anything with wood. Gary did cabinetry and carpentry work during after-hours and on weekends his whole life and full-time after retiring in 1998 from MSU.  Gary also loved camping, fishing, snowmobiling, motorcycles, car and coin collecting, riding his John Deere, and also spent a lot of time bowling on leagues and for fun with his family. Gary was a very proud father and grandfather and thoroughly enjoyed his time with “his kids”.

Survivors include his children, Cindy Reed (Bob Heidecker) of Bozeman, Scott (Brenda) Townsend of Bozeman, Cheryl (Bob) Watkins of Phoenix, AZ, and Shelly (Jack) Ziegler of Bozeman. He is also survived by his brother, Richard Townsend of Belgrade; brother-in-law, John Jay of Spokane, WA; sisters-in-law, Sharon Townsend and Marie Christie, both of Bozeman, and Elsie (Christie) Martin and her husband, Delbert; as well as numerous cousins and relatives.

Gary is also survived by his grandchildren, Sage Reed, McKenzie Reed, Amber Davis (Noah), Brett Hall (Rachel), Danielle Townsend, Roscoe Townsend, Brandy Kelso (Trent), Jenny Bates (Earl), Tami Brandal (Bill), Kris Ziegler, Cindi Ziegler (Bob Easley), Sheri Murphy (Wade Bennett), Levi Ziegler (Alicia). Also surviving Gary are 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

Preceding Gary in death are his parents, Roscoe Townsend and Viola (Dean) Townsend (Mckay); brothers, Warren Townsend and Larry Townsend; mother- and father-in-law, Lorraine and Laurence Christie; brothers-in-law, George Christie, Ernest Christie; sisters-in-law, Claudina (Christie) Jay and Janet (Buckley) Townsend.

The family would like to thank Shauna, Gwen, Scott and the staff at the Bozeman Lodge and also the wonderful care given to Gary by Leslie and the staff at Compassus Hospice.  Memorial donations can be made in Gary’s name to Compassus Hospice, 301 Edelweiss, Ste. 6, Bozeman, MT 59718.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Compassus Hospice or to one of your choice. 

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, July 10 at 11 a.m. at Sunset Hills Cemetery.

[Printable Version]

Online Condolences for Garren | Return to Obituaries