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Roy "Sonny" Paul Furthmyre Obituary

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Roy "Sonny" Paul Furthmyre

Great Falls, MT

May 16, 1936 - May 27, 2020

Roy "Sonny" Paul Furthmyre Obituary

Roy “Sonny” Paul Furthmyre passed away May 27, 2020, at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, Montana at the young age of 84, with his wife and son by his side. Roy was born on May 16, 1936, in Butte, Montana to Roy and Marjorie Meyers. Roy was the second of six kids, and spent his childhood in Butte and Kirkland, Washington. In 1955, he was excited to defend America and joined the United States Marines, a duty he took seriously until his father passed away suddenly. Roy was a family man his entire life and he returned home to take care of his mother and younger siblings. The next forty years would find him working as a devoted Montana State employee serving as a Food Service Manager at the Montana State Hospital. As with anything Roy did, he committed himself completely to his job until he retired in May of 1997. While working at the hospital, a certain nursing student named Madonna Kloker caught his eye and he never lost sight of her. Roy and Madonna were married September 14, 1963 in Anaconda, where they resided until 2019. As a devoted husband of 56 years, Roy was found loving and cherishing his relationship with his wife. Their marriage blessed them with two children, Coleen and Paul. Roy took his duty as a father seriously and was always found in the crowd being their biggest supporter and advocate. Roy was always a smiling, joking, lighthearted, and devoted family man. Being with his family gave him great happiness. He looked forward to holidays and special gatherings, especially Fourth of July barbeques where he was found displaying his cooking talent at his residence. He took pride in his yard looking good for his guests and he could be found working outside. Roy liked his walks in the beautiful Washoe Park where he would look forward to saying hello to all with whom he crossed paths. He enjoyed his sports. He played both fast and slow pitch softball into his late fifties. He was loyal to his sport teams which included the Anaconda Copperheads, LA Rams, LA Lakers, and The University of Washington Huskies. When you walked into his home, you can almost guarantee that he was watching sports or a western channel. If the television was not on, Roy would have you listening to Elvis or Frank Sinatra on the family stereo. An activity that he enjoyed until his hearing was silenced. Prior to losing his vision, he enjoyed putting together puzzles and working on a variety of different word puzzles. He enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, especially challenging in-laws in a game of Pinochle at family gatherings. In 1998, he earned the right to be called “Papo” with the birth of his first grandchild. From that moment onward, his grandchildren were his pride and joy. Roy had a special bond with each one of his grandkids in their own special way. Up until his health started to fail this last year, he never missed a sporting or musical event they participated in, and was obviously their greatest fan. His grandkids were the highlight of his day, and he would perk up anytime any of them walked in. Roy was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Marjorie; sister, Carol Lindal; father and mother in-law, Walter “Slick” and Letha Kloker; brothers-in-law, Tom Kloker, Joe Quilici, Bud Jenkins, and Jerry Lindal; and sisters-in-law, Letha Pusich and Rosie McNeil. He is survived by his loving wife, Madonna Furthmyre; son Paul Furthmyre; daughter Coleen Furthmyre; grandchildren Shelbie Roche, Baylee Furthmyre, Irish Furthmyre, and Damen Furthmyre; brother, Jim (Pat) Furthmyre; sisters, Georgia Quilici, Sharon Jenkins, and Peggy (Stu) Tasman; brothers-in-law, David (Donna) Kloker and Frank Pusich; sisters-in-law, Dottie (Lon) Zimmerman and Ellen Kloker; and numerous niece and nephews. A funeral mass will take place Thursday, June 4, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. and is limited to family members due to the COVID-19 restrictions. There will be a graveside service with military honors after the mass and a luncheon at the Anaconda VFW Post 1876, 500 East 4th Street in Anaconda. All friends and family are invited to attend and share a memory of Roy’s life at the luncheon. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family requests donations are made to the local Marine Corps High School Scholarship Foundation (Private Mike Attachment - P.O. Box 1043; Anaconda, MT 59711) or to the Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind Foundation (3911 Central Avenue - Great Falls, MT 59405). To our loving husband, father, and grandfather, May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand. May God be with you and bless you!

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Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Roy "Sonny" Paul Furthmyre.