Wallace E. Brookins

Wallace Earl "Wally" Brookins, 58, a longtime truck driver, died of a heart attack Monday, May 30, at his home in Great Falls.

An informal service for family and friends is 2 p.m. Saturday at 634 Carol Drive in Great Falls. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Wally was born in 1952, at the U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego, Calif. His childhood was spent with his father, a member of the U.S. Navy, living throughout the United States. He even spent time living overseas in Japan for a few years. Wally, a truck driver of 35 years, spent most of his adult life living in Southern California.

Wally met his soul mate, Debi Sadowsky, six years ago, and moved to Montana. He fell in love with the state. His happiest times were spent exploring and camping throughout the state with his family. Wally struggled the last three years of his life with cancer, a battle that he won! He was always most grateful to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah, and for all the excellent care he received from Dr. Hunt and Paul Tanner. They gave him his life back!

During this difficult time, Wally amazed his family by going back to school, a lifelong dream of his, and attained his high school diploma in 2010. Wally was a chosen speaker for his graduating class that year. This was one of his proudest achievements! Wally was employed with Rolling Trucking; a job that he said was his "dream job."

Survivors include the love of his life, Debi Sadowsky of Great Falls; stepsister Sue (Jimmy) Combs and their five children, all of Gardenia, Calif.; a stepson, Dan Gower of Carson City, Nev.; his acquired family, Michael, Stephen, Paul and Coni Sadowsky, and his most cherished grandchildren, Giovannie, Nicholas, Olivia, Megan, Bryson and Joshua. He is also survived by his precious and beloved cats "Ornery Ole Alice" and "Sweet Chrissy."

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Wallace Brookins and Evelyn Jo Ramsey.

Condolences may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.