Gary John "Curly" Sundquist

1953 - 2018

Gary "Curly" John Sundquist

Great Falls - Gary "Curly" John Sundquist lost his long well fought battle with cancer on April 24, 2018. His "PMA", Positive Mental Attitude, as he called it was apparent to all who loved and cared for him. A Curly Jam session and celebration of life will take place at the Do Bar on April 29th, 4:00 PM. Come all who loved the man and his music.

Curly was born on August 22, 1953 in Sheridan, Wyoming to John and Shirley Peterson Sundquist. He attended elementary schools in Laramie, Wyoming and Great Falls, Montana including Paris Gibson Jr. High School and CMR High School. As a young man he earned his Eagle Scout and was involved in choirs and bands, as well as sports in Jr. and Senior High School. Besides serving in the Air Force, Curly went to motorcycle vocational school as well as taking college courses in psychology. He would live a life playing music in Great Falls as well as in many communities throughout Montana. He was well-known for his bass guitar talent with his band "Flashback" playing classic Rock and Roll. He listed his profession as "Musician" but he also worked for a time at the Montana Power Company, bartended (and counseled his clients, as he jokingly called it) at several bars in town, worked for the Walker Ranch, and was a Bail Bondsman. His carpentry can be seen in various homes and buildings in Great Falls.

He made known his best and most proud moment in life was the birth of his only son Johnny Lee Sundquist of Portland, Oregon. In his last years he married Cathy "Gidge" Sundquist, his childhood sweetheart, and began some serious years of travel in his beloved Montana mountains. One of his wishes was to visit his family in Sheridan, Wyoming and he was able to spend time there and travel to childhood jaunts. Together the newlywed Sundquists traveled Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, and South Dakota.

Curly expressed to Gidge his love of family and friends and the wisdom gained from living a life "his way." The roads in life often twisted and turned in some crazy directions (that said, he drove his Harley around some interesting curves), but they brought him full circle in later life. He had gratitude for those he learned his lessons from and truly loved his friends. His favorite moments were running into friends around town and then telling a story about his experiences with them. Everyone had a nick name and everyone was beloved by him. He would want folks to know he loved you all through the good times and the rough times. He told Gidge, "you live and you learn." He will be greatly missed.

Gary is survived by his wife Cathy "Gidge" Sundquist of Black Eagle, MT, son Johnny Lee Sundquist of Portland, OR; sister Patricia (Ed) Hughes of Great Falls, MT, brothers, Terry (Ruby) Sundquist of Livingston, TX, and Tim Sundquist of Star, ID. Beloved and surviving are his "Uncle John" Peterson and "Cousin Mel" Kelly, both of Sheridan, WY.

He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew, Jacob Sundquist. He is the proud step-dad of nine children and grandpa to 13. Also many beloved nieces and nephews. Curly loved following them all on that "darn" technology, face book.

Cathy "Gidge" wishes to thank Sletten Cancer Institute, Benefis Hospital and Missouri River Center for their care and support. Also the kindness and service of O'connor funeral home.

Condolences may be shared online at www.OConnorFuneralHome.com.