Gary Kunick

February 17, 1948 - January 10, 2021

Gary Kunick, age 72, formerly of Glendive, Montana and Fort Peck, Montana, passed away on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at his daughter and family’s home in Shepherd, Montana with all of his family with him. He had suffered from Parkinson’s and had heart failure as a result. He had been hospitalized in Billings for the last month. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. Gary was born on February 17, 1948 in Beach, North Dakota, a son of Andrew and Elsie (Feldmann) Kunick. Gary’s family moved to Billings when he was very young where he attended grade school until the third grade. They then moved to Glendive because of his dad’s employment. Gary was the oldest of four boys and had a lot of responsibilities in helping not only with the younger brothers, but helping provide his dad with the extra muscle needed as his dad recovered from a serious work-related injury. Gary took on the responsibility of working as needed to make sure the family would have all their needs met. The word “can’t” wasn’t in his vocabulary, but “let’s get it done” was! He continued with this work ethic as he started working in gas stations, on dairy farms, ranches, and even at teen drive-ins, and eventually in the oilfields of Montana and North Dakota. Gary was united in marriage to Sheila Wenz in 1968 in Glendive, they took their high school dating years into a marriage of almost fifty-three years. Three months after marrying, Gary was drafted into the U.S. Army and after completing basic and advanced infantry training, he was sent to fight in the Vietnam War as a sniper with the 101st Airborne Division “Screaming Eagles.” Gary had earned numerous rifle marksman badges during this time and additional specialized training. As a strong and capable pontoon leader, he was soon promoted to rank of staff sergeant. After his discharge in 1970, Gary went to work at Western Oil Well Service. After Western Oil was sold and dissolved, Gary worked for other companies until he bought and re-established Western Oil Well Co. After several years, Gary sold out and after forty years of being in the oilfield, they retired to his beloved cabin at the lake at Fort Peck Dam, Rock Creek Cabin area. While there they made some of the best friendships possible. Gary enjoyed fishing and the coffee sessions with Mike, Ron and Mal and any others who stopped by. Both Sheila and Gary had many social gatherings that resulted in some great cards and dice games and potlucks. Trips with the gang to the marina either by boat or car was always on the list of fun things as well. Gary was so proud of his grandchildren and never grew tired of just sitting on the deck watching them enjoy his little piece of Heaven. Gary was preceded in death by his father, Andy and mother, Elsie. Survivors include wife Sheila of Fort Peck, MT; son Douglas and his wife Kelly and daughter Caitlin of Glendive; daughter Kamee and her husband Chad Hasler and their children Josie and Brett of Shepherd, MT; brothers, Rex and his wife Sheila Kunick and their children Josh and Jessie of Glendive, Pat and his wife Barb Kunick and sons Andrew and Kurt Int-hout of Glendive, and Bruce Kunick and family of Washington; Sister-in-laws, Patty and her husband Dave Winchell and son Alex of Glendive, MT and Kathi Wenz and son Brad of Helena; and brother-in-law Gerald Mickelson of Glendive, MT. He loved and cherished his special family. Our oldest granddaughter, Caitlin, said, “My Papa was self-less and the biggest fighter I knew. Papa wanted me to be the best person I can be and while I can no longer hear him, I know he can hear me, so I will continue to remind him how much I loved him and how much he meant to me.” A celebration of Gary’s life will be held later at his home at Fort Peck Lake in July. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.