Michael George Edmund "Mike" Caplis

1932 - 2024

Michael "Mike" George Edmund Caplis

March 2, 1932 - May 8, 2024

Michael "Mike" George Edmund Caplis died on a beautiful snowy Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Helena, Montana, surrounded by family at the Fort Harrison VA Hospital. He was ninety-two.

Mike Caplis was born on March 2, 1932, in Hawthorne, California. He was the fourth child and only son of Edmund Caplis and Myra (née Ailport) Caplis. Mike spent his early years with his three older sisters exploring and playing in the Sierra Nevada mountains, where his father worked as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), installing power lines. The Caplis family returned to Missoula, Montana, in 1934. Upon their return, Mike's mother enrolled him at St. Francis parochial grade school and later at Missoula County High School, where he graduated in 1950.

In the fall of 1949, as a seventeen-year-old high school student and unbeknownst to his parents, Mike enlisted in the US Army determined to serve his country during the Korean conflict. He proudly served as an amphibious vehicle pilot in Panama and Greenland.

Upon completing his military service, Mike returned to Missoula in 1954 and enrolled at the University of Montana under the GI Bill, graduating in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. 1967, Mike earned his master's degree in social work from the University of Utah. In 1956, Mike married Rose Cosner. Soon after their marriage, they welcomed their two oldest children, daughter Carolyn (Kerry), born in 1957, and son Timothy (Tim), born in 1958. Their third child, son Edmund, was born in 1963, and in 1972, they welcomed their fourth child, daughter Lori.

Mike began his 35-year career with the State of Montana in 1962 as a social worker for the Consolidated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in Polson, Montana. The family moved to Salt Lake City in 1964 while Mike attended graduate school at the University of Utah. Upon Mike's graduation, the family returned to Missoula, Montana, in 1967. In 1970, the family was once again on the move, this time to Butte, Montana. In 1974, the family moved for a final time and settled in Helena, Montana, where Mike became the bureau chief for the Montana Department of Social and Rehabilitative Services (DPHHS) food stamp program. From 1983 to 1997, Mike went back out into the field of social work with a primary focus of working with the developmentally disabled, whom he affectionately referred to as his "special friends." In 1982, Rose and Mike divorced. He later married Karen Beck Park in 1984, becoming the much-loved stepfather of Valerie and Shannon.

Mike was a life member of the DAV-VFW and American Legion veterans' organizations and a founding member of Our Lady of The Valley Catholic Church. After retiring in 1997, Mike volunteered with organizations such as the Boy Scouts, the Montana Senior Citizens Association, Helena Food Share, Farm in the Dell, Spring Meadow Resources, Special Olympics, Vet-to-Vet, and was a veteran volunteer at Fort Harrison for over 25 years. Mike loved music, especially singing as a member of the Helena Barbershop Quartet.

Mike lived a long life, and those who knew him well knew his favorite valedictory saying, which he picked up during his time living in Butte. So, it's with affection that we bid him a final "Tap'er Light."

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund and Myra (Ailport) Caplis, and his sisters, Mary Ann Gibford, Alice Campbell, and Pat Thaggard.

Mike is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Karen; daughter, Kerry (Steve) Schultz, Lakeside, MT; son Tim Caplis, Butte, MT; son Edmund (Cristina Medina) Caplis, Helena, MT; daughter Lori Caplis, Helena, MT; stepdaughter Valerie (Todd) Russell, Custer, SD; and stepson Shannon (Jen) Tustin Park, Shanghai, China. Grandchildren Alexander (Lara) Schultz, Atlanta, Georgia; Evan Schultz, Denver, CO; Tara Medina Caplis, Baltimore, MD; Benjamin Medina Caplis, Missoula, MT; Fletcher Troyer, Helena, MT; Noelle Russell, Custer, SD; Leo Russell, Custer, SD; and Johnny Park, Reston, VA. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Mike's funeral will be held at 10 AM on Friday, June 21, 2024, at Our Lady of The Valley Catholic Church, 1502 Shirley Road, Helena, MT, followed by burial at Forestvale Cemetery. A luncheon reception will be held at noon (12:00 PM) at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church, 3580 North Benton, Helena, MT.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Montana Food Bank Network or to a charity of your choice. Please visit www.simplecremationmt.com to offer condolences or to share memories of Mike.