Jeffrey William Dick

Jeffrey William Dick arrived at St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings, in the wee hours of June 12, 1975, and was from the beginning beloved by not only his proud parents - Gary and Toni Jarland Dick - but also by two very devoted grandmothers, Mary Dick and Dee Jarland. Jeff learned to walk and talk quickly, and by the time his sister Jill arrived a couple of years later, Jeff had acquired the tall and skinny build he would always have.
Jeff had a bright mind and a great memory, and he did well with math, science and computers. He excelled at all things artistic and athletic. Jeff learned to ski at age 3; he progressed to snowboarding and skateboarding and mastered them all.
Jeff quit school at 17. However, when he discovered that MSU-Billings had a high school completion program that could be done on computers, Jeff worked at it until he was awarded the coveted diploma, which he presented to his family with a great deal of pleasure. Subsequently, Jeff attended the Career Center, where he enrolled in the heating and refrigeration course. After Jeff received his certificate, he put his newly acquired technical skills to good use at several different jobs - first in Billings, then in Phoenix, and most recently in Missoula, after he moved there last fall.
Jeff got an early start in fatherhood when Lori Pease and Jeff had their first son, Corey, on Feb. 10, 1992. Jeff became the father of two when Jake - named in honor of Jeff's cousin Jake Jarland - was born Aug. 30, 1994. Jeff loved the outdoors, and he shared that love with his boys, who remember all the fishing trips they took with him. In addition to fishing, Jeff also loved to hunt and was what his father Gary called "really a good shot." Gary recalled numerous goose and pheasant hunting trips spent with Jeff.
Cheated of saying goodbye to their fair-haired boy, Jeff's family grieves for his lost opportunities and for the large and empty hole he left in the family framework.
Survivors include sons, Corey Pease and Jake Dick of Billings; mother Toni Jarland (Ed DesRosier) of Phoenix; father Gary (Bonnie) Dick of Billings; sister Jill (John) VanHaren of Denver; grandmother Mary Dick of Billings; cousins Jacob Jarland of Australia, Jennifer Jarland of Boulder, and Travis and Vanessa Sinclair of Seattle; uncle Tom (Mary) Jarland of Helena; aunt Cheryl (Lloyd) Sinclair of Seattle; and nieces Jules and Madison VanHaren of Denver. Jeff was preceded in death by grandparents Bill Dick and Walt and Dee Jarland.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 9, at Smith's West Chapel at 304 34th St. West. A reception will follow at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church at 180 24th St. West.
In lieu of flowers, the Jeffrey Dick Memorial Fund has been set up for Corey and Jake's benefit. Funds may be sent to First Interstate Bank, c/o Lori Perez, PO Box 30798, Billings, MT 59107, or to the charity of one's choice.