Donald Eugene Sullivan

Donald Eugene Sullivan

BUTTE - Donald Eugene Sullivan died at home in Butte on May 4th, at age 90 and the day after he and his wife, Sharon celebrated their 67th Wedding Anniversary.

He taught English and composition at Butte High from 1972 until 1997, and then at Montana Tech for several more years. Don's first teaching job was at Ennis High School, where he was hired in 1965 after putting himself through Western Montana College by using the GI Bill and working as a policeman in Butte.

He loved poetry, often reciting favorites from memory, and that love led him to a career sharing the beauty of language with his students. Don was an avid golfer, though his emotions after a round were usually closer to frustration than joy; like many golfers, he liked to refer to the game as "a good walk spoiled." He was active until very recently and enjoyed riding his bike around Butte and searching second-hand stores for cameras to give to his grandsons.

Don was preceded in death by his siblings: Jack, Joe, Jay, and Marie. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; their son, Tim; daughter-in-law, Patricia (Maki); grandson, Patrick and his partner, Grace; grandson, Thomas; many nieces and nephews and their families; and Patricia's siblings and their families, who adopted Don as their "Papa."

A Funeral Mass was held on May 12th at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Don was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery, 4700 Harrison Ave., in Butte.

Please visit axelsonfuneralhome.com to offer condolences to the family or share a memory of Don.