Douglas Orville Schwindt

Douglas Orville Schwindt Sr. passed on to Heaven on September 28, 2021. Doug was born on September 29th, 1945 in Saco, MT, one of thirteen children of Frank & Marjorie Schwindt. He spent most of his youth in Baker and Plevna, MT where he spent a lot of time with his family, working on the Christman farm, and playing basketball for the Plevna Cougars. He graduated from Plevna High School in 1963.

After graduating high school, Doug moved to Laurel, MT area where he worked until joining the United States Army in 1967. Upon the completion of Basic Training in Fort Bliss Texas, Doug returned to Laurel during his leave, and met a beautiful young woman by the name of Linda Miller at the Dairy Way. After his leave, Doug was sent to Vietnam where he served our country in 1967 through 1968. Doug and Linda kept in touch while he was in Vietnam through letters and pictures. After returning from war Doug and Linda were married on March 8, 1969 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Laurel, and lived in Laurel through all 52 years of their marriage. In the seven years following their marriage they welcomed three children into their home, Rhonda, Doug Jr., and Brian.

Family, work, and community were all very important to Doug. He started his career driving concrete trucks for Schessler-Miller Ready Mix. While working full time, he learned how to finish concrete on the side with his father-in-law, Bill Miller. Learning that trade began a new venture for him where he would work full-time driving concrete trucks and also operating his concrete finishing business whenever he wasn’t driving. In 1980 Doug took a job working at the Cenex Refinery in Laurel, working shift work in the Alky Unit. You see, this was perfect for him. He could work shifts at the refinery, and in the spring through fall he would be finishing concrete with his children as helpers whenever he was off the clock. Not on the weekends though, the weekends were for camping in Red Lodge with the family. There were countless Friday nights where he would get off work at 11pm, come straight home and hookup the trailer, and we were off to the mountains that night. He continued his career at Cenex, eventually being promoted to Shift Foreman, then Zone Supervisor, and eventually Training Supervisor which was perfect for him. Doug was a perfectionist, and he knew every inch of the refinery and how every system and process worked and operated. He also loved being around people, as well as training, preparing, and mentoring them in their career at the refinery. He knew what needed to be done, how to do it, and when to do it. He retired from Cenex in October of 2012, but of course any time they called and asked him to come help, he promptly returned.

Doug was always a big sports fan, especially basketball. He never missed one of his kids or grandkids games, races, or matches. He spent many hours on the driveway with his kids and their friends playing horse, 1-on-1, or 2-on-2. He was a heck of a shooter and would never be out-hustled by anyone. He literally sacrificed his body in sports and in work, proven by two hip replacements, multiple knee surgeries, and five back surgeries. Through all of that, he would heal and be back at it quickly. He also never missed the opportunity to help anyone and everyone out when he thought they needed help, whether they asked for it or not. He was a tireless worker who could never sit still, he even mowed the lawn the morning before his passing.

In their retirement, Doug and Linda realized a lifelong dream when they purchased their cabin in Island Park, ID. He loved to spend time in the mountains, and the cabin was a perfect retreat for him to be able to tinker in the summer time and clear snow in the winter. If his neighbor’s cabins needed any work, he would take care of theirs too. It was a place for family where he could take the grandkids out on the boat fishing or tubing, play horseshoes, have meals together, and sit by the campfire. He was always rightfully proud of their cabin and the hard work they put into it. He loved the opportunity to host family and friends. If you knew Doug well, you know that there was not a weed within 20 feet of the cabin, the firepit and patio was perfectly placed, the cabin was clean and fresh, and the coffee was hot before 5am every day. He spent every day at his home or cabin making sure everything was just right, usually with his trusty companion Rippy by his side.
Doug was a very proud man. He was proud of his family, his community, his workplace, his friends, his home, his cabin, and his country. He didn’t take shortcuts, and he didn’t take days off. He put all he had into everything he did and left a tremendous legacy to all of those who knew him.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Frank & Marjorie Schwindt, brother Larry, sister Lorraine, sister Linda, and brother Jim. Doug’s brother Charles (Chuck) passed away hours after Doug on the same day and they entered Heaven together.

Doug is survived by his wife Linda of 52 years, daughter Rhonda Gradwohl of Billings, son Doug Schwindt Jr. of Billings, and son Brian and Kali Schwindt of Cary, NC. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Lexi and Ethan Gradwohl (Rhonda), Brady, Chloe, and Zackary Schwindt (Doug), and Adilyn and Tierney Schwindt (Brian).

A memorial service for Doug and his brother Chuck will be held at 10 am on Monday, October 4th, 2021 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Laurel. Live streaming of the service can be viewed at www.oursaviorslaurel.org/live.