John L. "Jay" Dunckel III

1940 - 2015

John L. "Jay" Dunckel III

Choteau —John L. "Jay," Dunckel III, 75, a lifetime resident and former mayor of Choteau, Mont. passed away at his home on Sept. 13th, 2015 after a valiant fight against cancer, with his wife, Jerry by his side.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015 at the Choteau High School Auditorium at 1 p.m. with a reception following in the Choteau Pavilion.

He was born Feb. 14, 1940 to John and Edith Dunckel and raised in Choteau. A graduate of Choteau High School, he graduated from Montana State University where he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, and competed on the college baseball team. After earning a degree in secondary education, he taught in Denton, Havre and Choteau for three years before returning to his hometown to go into the insurance and tax preparation business with his father. With the addition of other employees, the agency was re-named WestMont Agency, and they established agencies in Augusta, Bigfork and Polson, as well as the agency in Choteau with insurance, accounting and real estate sales as the forefront of the business. He retired from the business in 1995, but continued to work in investments and tax accounting.

He and Jerry Little were married June 15, 1960 and they have resided in Choteau where they raised their four children.

Jay was active in many community and state activities. He has been a member of the Choteau United Methodist Church since 1957, alderman on the Choteau City Council, member of the County Cemetery Board, the baseball commission, Choteau Certified Communities, a Lions Club swim team parent, and a member of the Old Trail Museum board. His strong loyalty to his community also saw him as a member and officer of the Choteau Jaycees, and he went on to hold many local and state offices in that organization, including receiving the national award of one of 10 outstanding state vice presidents in 1969. His mathematical skills led him to hold the treasurer's position in many organizations, including, secretary-treasurer of the Choteau Country Club, treasurer of the Teton Investment Club, president of the Teton County Development Corporation, Project PRIDE chairman and treasurer of the United Methodist Church. He was a member of the George Coffey Trust for the benefit of the Boy Scouts for more than 10 years. Choteau and its community meant the world to him. He held deep pride in his small hometown.

Jay loved and valued his time with his children and grandchildren. Being an avid sportsman himself he traveled the state supporting his family in their many academic and athletic endeavors. He also spent many years as a basketball and football referee in the state.

He loved the outdoors, traveling to many places to golf, hunt, and fish. Jay was a valued businessman for his community and family, always there with guidance and support as needed.

His children and grandchildren remember him as generous, quick-witted, honest, believing in the good of everyone, a small town man who loved his community and proud to be a Choteau boy. He became a valued role model for his children and grandchildren by maintaining a strong work ethic, assertive discipline and showing admirable strength to succeed. His amazing accomplishments will never be forgotten. Jay's legacy will be carried on in his children and grandchildren and the many other lives he has touched.

Jay is survived by his wife, Jerry; son Kirk (Shannon) of Fall City, Wash.; daughters Keri (Greg) Upham of Helena, Stacey (Matt) Krahe of Great Falls, and Hallie (Chris) Koppang of Missoula; a brother Gary of Boulder, Colo. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Kinley and Kelsey Dunckel, Matthew and Meghan Upham, Cassie, Tyson and Ryan Krahe, and David and Sydney Koppang.

Preceding him in death were his parents John and Edith Dunckel and Brother Bob and Michael Dunckel. Twin sons David and Daniel and son Allen Dunckel

Donations are suggested to the Old Trail Museum and the Choteau United Methodist Church.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Gorder Jensen Funeral Home.

Condolences may be left at gorderjensenfuneralhome.com