David James Treadway

1958 - 2024

A life well lived. David Treadway, of Helena, died at home, on August 21, 2024, surrounded by his wife and children, four dogs and six cats. David followed Dylan Thomas' advice to not go gentle into that good night, but raged and raged against the dying of the light. He was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease and accepted the diagnosis with dignity and grace, but fought his increasing disability right up to the end. A fall two weeks before his death resulted in immobility and that did not sit well with him. Due to the love and support of his three kids, he was able to stay at home until his death.

David was born on December 9, 1958, the youngest of eight children to Maxine Brockway Treadway and Harold C. Treadway. His early years were filled with the love of his siblings and parents. We're pretty sure that he was in the arms of one of his seven siblings for the majority of his first year. He attended Jefferson Elementary school and ran around the neighborhood raising cain with his besties. He always maintained that he was never the instigator, but somehow he was always around for the ride. He admitted that he did actually eat the ice cream cups that they occasionally "borrowed" from the Capitol building, only because he didn't want them to go to waste. He graduated from Helena High School in 1977. David attended colleges in Montana, Washington and Kansas, accruing enough credits for a bachelor's degree but his classes were in many different fields, taken according to what interested him that year.

David married Carla Williams in 1978. They did a lot of growing up together and were so blessed with the arrivals of their children, Whitney, in 1985, Cal, in 1995, and Trent in 1997. The kids were the main focus of their efforts over the next few decades. David was a champion of all children and expressed that in many different ways. He coached numerous sports teams and learned the game of soccer in order to be the best coach he could be. He supported Whitney in her swim team days, and both boys during basketball and soccer seasons. He was a huge supporter of all of their musical ventures and enjoyed their music until his death. He learned boating and spent many summers taking the kids and their friends out on the lake. Friends of his children often called him when they found themselves in a pickle.

David worked for Lehrkind's Coca Cola in Helena for many years, starting as a driver and working up to plant manager. They moved to Seattle when Whitney was a toddler, and he worked at Larry's Markets there, again, working up to management. They then moved to Wichita, KS and he worked for Dillons Food Stores there. When Cal and Trent arrived, he was a stay at home Dad for many years. He said that was his favorite job and the most difficult. The family moved back to Helena in 1998 and he owned D&E Deli with Leslie Smith and then worked for Action Print. He was in the National Guard in Montana, Washington, and Kansas, retiring as a captain. He fielded many late night phone calls from soldiers in need.

In addition to his family and his work, he was involved in community work. David grew up in a house full of women and that resulted in a lifelong love of and respect for women. He strongly believed in equal opportunities for all people in all arenas of life. He helped build houses for Habitat for Humanity, and went on mission trips to build and repair homes on US reservations and in Guatemala. He was known in the family as a pet whisperer. In his last years, whenever he was seated he had a cat on his lap. At one point he told Carla in jest that she couldn't see any more patients who were associated with a veterinarian or rescue society. However, he kept the garage door open and had warm houses for the neighborhood and feral cats to get through the winters. He and Carla took in many strays over the years. At one point they had dogs named Smoocher, Kisses, and Hugs, all named by Whitney. He played softball and basketball for many years and enjoyed hiking, golfing, folfing, and biking. David caught the travel bug from his mother, Maxine, and his wife. He enjoyed traveling through Europe with Carla, visiting Botswana and South Africa, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, as well as traveling all over the United States and parts of Canada

David was preceded in death by his parents, and nieces, Jenny Thompson and Jamie Treadway, brothers in law, Jack Davis and Dan Johnson, and sister in law, Denise Linjanen, who is undoubtedly waiting for him to share the turkey skin. He is survived by his wife, Carla Williams, children, Whitney Treadway, Cal Treadway and Trent Treadway, siblings Sue Garber (Bob), Carol Johnson, Donna Sprinkle (Melvin), Margie Thompson (Mark), Randy Treadway, Becky Treadway (Frank Platz), Julie Davis (Joe Merrill), sisters in law and brothers in law, Franz Linjanen, Joyce Williams and Dan Dolmseth, Jan Williams and Scott Smith, and many nieces and nephews on both sides. He leaves behind many dear friends as well.

David was under the care of Compassus Hospice and our family thanks Dr. Sheri Howell, nurse April Hogquist, and caregiver Peter Krainacker. Our family also thanks Sgt. Patrick McDuffie of the Lewis and Clark Coroner's office, dear friend Mat Rude who made every effort to see David often over these difficult years, even when David wasn't really able to interact, and dear friend, Steve Taylor, who also always made the effort to see him when he was in town. Green burial has taken place at Swan Lake Natural Cemetery. The shroud for his burial was made by family and decorated by family and friends. His grand nieces and nephews drew lots of dinosaurs and monsters to keep him safe, flowers and trees and butterflies to enjoy, and a potato to eat. A celebration of his life will be held at 3:30 PM, on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at the Devil's Brigade Community Center (formerly the Fort Harrison Service Club) at Fort Harrison. Please come and share stories and a meal and simply have an ID to enter the Fort Harrison property. Please no flowers, but if you are inclined, donations to your local animal rescue or Habitat for Humanity would be appreciated.