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Byron Dunbar Obituary
His memorial service is 11 a.m. June 8 at Headwater State Park in Three Forks, followed by a reception. Dahl Funeral & Cremation Service of Billings is in charge of arrangements.
Pete is survived by his wife, Margie, of Billings; children Lynn (Doug) Ryerson of Great Falls, Lisa (Matt) Smith of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., Mike (Kristie) Dunbar of Lake Havasu, Ariz., and Patrick (Shelly) Dunbar of Folsom, Calif.; a sister, Lorna McCormick of Bozeman; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Pete was born June 8, 1927, in Three Forks, Mont., the son of Byron and Marg "Georgette" (Walsh) Dunbar. In 1944, Pete joined the Merchant Marines and was honorably discharged in 1947.
On Dec. 23, 1948, he married Margaret "Margie" Lovelace in Billings.
He received a law degree from the University of Montana in 1952. His career in the FBI took them to Washington, D.C., Dallas, St. Louis, Clinton, Okla., and New York City. In 1966, they returned to Montana, and Pete worked in Glasgow until 1970, and then moved to Bozeman. He retired from the FBI in 1979.
Pete served as Assistant Gallatin County Attorney and in 1980 was appointed by then-President Reagan as U.S. attorney, District of Montana. He moved to Billings, where he held that position until 1990. Pete was admitted to the bar of State and Federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Pete enjoyed spending time with his family, especially following his children's and grandchildren's sporting events. He was the Booster president of the MSU Bobcats. Pete enjoyed reading, traveling with his wife, and had a special love of the sea. He liked doing ranch chores at the family's ranch near Three Forks.
Pete was a member of the Elks Club, Catholic Church, Montana Law Enforcement Academy, Montana Bar Association, Society of Former FBI Agents, American Society for Industrial Security, and Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1-800-252-5470.
Condolences may be sent online to greatfallstribune.com/obituaries.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Byron Dunbar
Leslie Richards
January 27, 2023
I hope Mr. Dunbar's family still visits this site. I am a cousin of his, thru the Dunbars. I live in St. Louis, MO and sure wish I had known about him during his lifetime. I have lived here all my life so obvously here when he was. Blessings to his family and please contact me should you see this - leslie at khs65 dot com will find me. Leslie Richards, Chesterfield, MO
Terry Osborn
December 17, 2007
I feel very badly that I'm just now learning of Pete's passing. Pete has been a very positive influence in my life for many years. I first met Pete at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy in 1976. His honesty is something that has remained with me for all these years.
Pete has been a very positive influance on the lives of countless people. I take great pride in saying that I considered him a friend and a roll model. He will be greatly missed.
Ike Eisentraut
May 10, 2007
I wish to convey my condolences to Pete's family. I first came in contact with Pete around 1991 when he contacted me to do an investigation for him. Over the years we spoke many times on the phone and passed a number of jobs back and forth. In 2005 I finally got to meet Pete face to face in Helena at a PI conference. I'm so thankful, for that. Again, I feel very sad for the pain I know his family is experiencing with his absence, but it was very gratifying to find out he was a Christian. Now I know we will meet again.
Don Whitney
May 10, 2007
Pete was the United States Attorney for the District of Montana when I moved to Helena as the Director for U.S. Immigration Service. He was always very knowledgeable and very professional and he always took the time to be available to help others. As the President of the Montana Association of Private Investigators and Security Operators (MAPISO) I met with and spoke to Pete (a PI after his retirement) many times and always found him eager to assist our profession and especially, newly licensed PIs. He will be missed by those of us who had the pleasure to know him and especially by those of us who were honored to work with him.
Becky Hill
May 1, 2007
Margie and family - my thoughts and prayers are with you. Pete was a wonderful person - not only as a boss but a wonderful person. He will truly be missed by all who knew him.
Lee Kerr
April 29, 2007
I too met Pete at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy. It was Basic 13 in 1974. I was privileged to have professional contact with him over the next 25 years. First as a young deputy and police officer, then later as a County Attorney when Pete was US Attorney and a Private investigator. His training at the academy on Criminal procedure was truly inspirational, and his stories always entertaining. Later, when I served as a County Attorney, Pete the investigator was always insightful, helpful, and professional. It was a privilege to have had the opportunity to know this great man.
Don Houghton
April 27, 2007
Our deepest sympathy and condolences to the Dunbar family. Pete became my mentor and what he taught me stayed with me throughout my career & beyond. Pete always urged you to dig a little deeper and made you want to. I will definately miss that deep hearty laugh on the other end of the phone. Pete, you will be missed.
Don & Donna Houghton
Dennis Thompson
April 27, 2007
I met Pete at the Law-Enforcement-Acadmey in 1972. Over the next 5 years, I worked very close with Pete on a number of cases. Pete was a very good friend and outstanding in every facet of Law-enforcement. Marge and family: I didn,t get to know you kids but I know you are outstanding in every thing you do because of Marge and Pete. GOD bless you all. I miss you Pete.
Carl Rostad
April 26, 2007
Few people have contributed so much to my life and career. Pete Dunbar was a great boss and a great man. No one was more kind, more supportive of his assistants, more respectful or a better friend. My prayers go out to Margie and the kids. But so many great years and wonderful times will always keep Pete close to us all.
Andrea Miller
April 26, 2007
Dear Dunbar Family, With a heavy heart I write how sorry I am for your loss. May your thoughts be filled with the wonderful memories of a truly great husband, father, and friend, and your hearts with peace.
Don Jenkins
April 26, 2007
Pete and I were childhood friends living in Three Forks, Montana. Although Pete was a couple of years older than me we were very good friends in High School and enjoyed playing sports together. I have many fond memories of our younger years in Three Forks.
Rick Later
April 26, 2007
I met Pete in 1972 at the MT. Law Enforcement Academy Basic 4 Class. We worked together while he was with the FBI, U.S. Attorney's office and as a Private Investigator. The last time we talked and worked together was just this last fall. My deepest sympathy,thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to his family.
Pat (Schaale) Steingruber
April 25, 2007
My condolences to the whole family. Although I haven't seen the Dunbar family since Lynn and I graduated from high school in Glasgow I have many wonderful memories of the entire Dunbar family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Karen Gilluly Snow
April 25, 2007
Pete was an amazing man! He & Margie took me under their wings when I was a childhood friend of Lisa's in Bozeman. He called me their "other little girl", a moniker that makes my heart sing.
He was a teacher ("What city is at the confluence of..?"), a patriot and the most honest man I've ever known. I know I am not alone in saying what a wonderful influence he was in my life!
To my friends the Dunbars, I know your loss is great. The world just lost a great man. My thoughts and prayers are with you!
Debbie Leary
April 25, 2007
I worked for Pete for many years, both at the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office. He was truly one of the nicest and fairest men I have known and was a very special person to know and work with. My thoughts and prayers are with Margie and Pete's family.
Dan McFarland
April 25, 2007
I was saddened to learn of Pete's passing. Like many others, I too met him while attending the Montana Law Enforcement Academy. I had the utmost respect for Pete and I admired his law enforcement expertise and his public speaking abilities. He was truly a great man, and I was most fortunate to have known him. My deepest condolences to his family.
Dan McFarland
Fmr. Great Falls Police Commissioner
Glen Meier
April 25, 2007
Pete Dunbar family
I met and became fond of Pete in 1976 at the Montana Law Enforcement Acedemy. The cases and Civil Liabilities he taught are still with me today. What an asset to Law Enforcement and the world Pete was. We will all miss him. God speed Pete.
Valley County Sheriff
Terry Korpela
April 25, 2007
Margie, Lynn, Mike, Pat, Lisa, and the entire Dunbar Clan. How special your husband/Dad was to us all. Everyone loved Pete, and as they should. He was a wonderful wonderful man. He will be missed by all of us. I know how much he loved you Marige, his beloved wife and all four of you kids. His love radiated from him always. The whole in your heart is huge, but may the love of family and friends help ease your sorrow and bring you comfort in days ahead. We love you all and we thank you for letting us be a part of the Dunbar Clan. June 8th will be a celebration of life - for Pete did know how to enjoy life and his life truly should be celebrated by you all. With Sympathy, Friendship, and lots of Love,
Terry and John
The congregation at Calvary Chapel of Great Falls
April 25, 2007
Dear Lynn & Family,
Please accept our sincere condolences for the loss of your father, Byron. Your grief and fond memories will be shared by all who had the privilege of knowing him. May God's great strength and comfort sustain you in the days ahead.
Dave Cunningham
April 25, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with the Dunbar family in this time of sorrow. Pete was very well respected as an FBI Agent, a US Attorney and most of all as a great person. He will be missed.
Dave Cunningham (FBI Retired)
Lindie Gibson
April 25, 2007
I remember Pete from when I was at MSU '72 through '74. What a gentle and yet strong presence he was. I'm sure he will be deeply missed.
Darryl Bruno
April 25, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. My mother Margaret was a first cousin of Pete's dad Byron where they grew up together in the three forks area. I used to stop in and see Pete when he was the US attorney in Billings.
Donald "Nick" Parker
April 24, 2007
I was very sadened to learn the passing of a good friend as I have known Pete and Margie for many years, being a school mate of Margie's and known her family well.If there is any thing that I may do for you please feel free to contact me and I am very saddened that I will be in Boston during the memorial services for Pete as I have a grandson who will graduate from Harvard at that time. Margie I can fully understand what you are going through as I just lost my wife Marge this winter and it is not very easy but my prayers are with you. Your friend Donald Nick Parker
Traci Acosta
April 24, 2007
I am a very dear friend of Pete's baby daughter, Lisa Dunbar-Smith. I have heard many, many, sweet stories about Lisa and her relationship with her Daddy. Finally three years ago, I was given the great opportunity to meet this wonderful man. His gentle eyes and calm demeanor are a gift that will always be with me, but the best memory I will cherish is his overwhelming love for his wife and his children. Thank you Pete Dunbar for allowing me the opportunity to spend a weekend with you, Margie and your very special daughter Lisa!My condolences are with the Dunbar Family. God Bless You All!
Jennifer (Steinwand) Beatty
April 24, 2007
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Pete was a wonderful man. I worked for Pete in his private investigation practice. I sought his advice several times over the years, and he was always willing to help me out. I always enjoyed the stories of his days in the FBI. I respected his vast knowledge and expertise as did countless others. He taught me a great deal, and any time I asked questions he never hesitated to explain legal issues, which I knew nothing of when I first started working for him. I admired his frankness, honesty, and professionalism. But the thing that made his eyes twinkle brightest was when he spoke of his family. He would tell me of the wonderful times in Bozeman when the "boys" were in college. He was always so proud of his family. I am so happy to be just one of many who were blessed to have known Pete and to have benefited from just being around him. I will never forget him. May God bless you always, as I know you will miss him so much. Thank you Pete for everything.
Robert McAnally
April 24, 2007
Pete was a friend to all in Indian Country and especially those of us here at the Fort Peck Tribes who worked with him during his tenure as U.S. Attorney and Private investigator. I was very blessed to know him. He will be missed.
Meggin Stewart
April 24, 2007
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Gale Stott
April 24, 2007
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help at this time.
Rick Stuber
April 24, 2007
I was a Valley County deputy sheriff from 1971-5 and I grew up in Hinsdale. I met Pete officially at the Law Enforcement Academy where he was an instructor. I met him unofficially while a kid in Hinsdale when a friend and I were cruising hwy 2 with a red light to scare tourists. One of the "tourists" turned out to be Pete and another agent in an unmarked car or their return to Glasgow from Ft. Belknap. He must have been quite a kid himself. I really enjoyed Pete and always thought of him as the true definition of law and order. He was professional, but he had a real grounded philosophy on what law enforcement and peace keeping was all about. A cerebral man with a chew of Redman in his cheek, he was the last of his breed and its really a shame.
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