Gary L. Distad

Gary Lee Distad, 64, of Lewistown, passed away at home on Nov. 9^th 2021 after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born April 12, 1957 at St. Joseph Hospital in Lewistown, the son of Gene and Maxine (Heller) Distad. He graduated from Fergus High School in 1975 and continued on to Basic Training with the US Army that December. After completion of Basic Training, he was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany in May 1976 where he was assigned to the 8^th Infantry Division, Baumholder, Germany. He went on to Headquarters Battery, 1^st Battalion, 2^nd Field Artillery Regiment as a PFC (Private First Class) and then was promoted to SP/4-Specialist E-4. After he fulfilled his tour-of-duty he left Germany in December of 1978 where he was flown to Fort Jackson, SC to be discharged. Once he returned home Gary enlisted in the Montana Army National Guard, March 12^th in the Lewistown Unit Detachment 1, Howitzer Battery 1/163^rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.

He met Esther Petersen here in Lewistown and was united in marriage on September 6, 1986.   Gary remained in the National Guard throughout 4+ years of college when he graduated in 1990 from Northern Montana College in Havre, earning a Bachelors' Degree in Diesel Technology.

The family moved to Monroe, WI in 1991 where Gary accepted a job with Fairbanks Morris, Engine Division and then was relocated to Monroe, WA in 1994. These positions took him around the world working at various military stations repairing many different naval ship engine, Alaskan fishing vessels and also a few nuclear power plants. Early 1995 the family moved back to Lewistown where Gary worked several different jobs before starting with the Lewistown School District in 1997, where he thrived. Gary loved this position, his co-workers and making work fun. Gary was a great bus mechanic as well as a bus driver winning several awards at the Annual Bus Drivers Convention and Rodeos.

On personal time he enjoyed family gatherings, hunting, fishing, camping, pets, and the simpler pleasures in life. He continued his service with Montana Army National Guard and his guard family, he was always willing to help in any way and was a member of Central Montana Search and Rescue until he was no longer physically able. This broke his heart but not his spirit. He always found something to smile about.

Gary is survived by his wife Esther and daughter Danielle of Lewistown, daughter Nicole (Layne Bull) of Dallas, OR, his son Jason Bray of Billings, MT; sister-in-law Mary Ellen (Bill) Apple of Lewistown; one brother-in-law Thomas (Heidi) Petersen of Marysville, WA.; six grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and two brothers-in-law.

Memorial Services for Gary Lee Distad will be Monday, November 15^th at 1:00 p.m. in the Central Baptist Church with committal to follow in the Lewistown City Cemetery with military honors. The Cloyd Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Following the committal, we will have a celebration of Gary's life at Brooks Market. We will share many photos and videos of Gary's life and we hope you will bring many stories to share with all of us as well. There will be food and drink so we can all stay awhile.

Friends are asked to make memorials to Hospice of Central Montana, Veterans Memorial Park or to the charity of their choice and they may be left with the Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.