Gary Michael Wright

July 5, 1954 - December 1, 2024

Gary Michael Wright, 70, of Helena passed away at Benifis Hospital in Great Falls after a brief illness on Sunday, December 1.

Gary was born in Anaconda on July 5, 1954, to Ken and Marian Wright.

He attended St Joseph's grade school and graduated from Anaconda Central High School in 1973. He grew up on Anaconda's west side and enjoyed many childhood outdoor adventures with his friends and family. The family spent summer days at their cabin on Georgetown Lake, and filled the winter season skiing at Wraith Hill west of Anaconda.

Gary worked for the Montana Department of Labor for over 35 years, retiring as a Bureau Chief.

He also tended bar at Anaconda's Club Moderne and served as a National Ski Patrolman at Discovery Basin for 20-plus years.

After retirement, Gary golfed almost daily at Helena's Bill Roberts Golf Course. He also enjoyed wilderness kayaking, walking his dogs, following Bobcat sports, wood working and collecting art.

Gary was a generous, caring person always ready with a good (audience appropriate) joke and a smile. He loved family get-togethers, lasagna, and sugar cookies, and he somehow always managed to find just the perfect gift.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents Ann and Elvin Wright and Anna and Gene Boyce; and brother John.

He is survived by his siblings, Karen, Tom, Andy, and Dick Wright; nieces, Kristin Cullen, Whitney Mattes, Taylor Foley, and Garrity Heier; nephew, Josh Ralph, and dog companions, Barny and Clyde.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Pintler Pets, 80 Silver Street, Anaconda MT 59711.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Montana Standard on Dec. 12, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Gary Wright

Sponsored by Schnider Funeral Home - Great Falls.

14 Entries

Jon Pallister (JP)

December 15, 2024

Such a tragic loss, Gary was a great friend and I will miss his calm demeanor and his friendly disposition! I enjoyed the many
years of golfing together, he was a great teammate.
Rest in peace old buddy!
We´ll all be teeing one up for you!
Lost but certainly not forgotten!
Go Cats!!

Melanie and Bill Rasor

December 15, 2024

So very sorry for your loss, and ours as well, Andy, Karen, Tom, and Dick. Bill worked at the Anaconda Job Service with Gary, played softball on the Club Moderne team with him, he moved into the house in Anaconda we had been renting when we moved to Helena, then not to long after he followed us over here. He took a beautiful photo of Georgetown Lake and matted/framed it and gave it to us as a wedding gift 39 years ago and it is still hanging on my living room wall. I love that photo! We will surely miss seeing him around town!

Michele Loshesky Rieber

December 14, 2024

I am saddened and sorry to learn about Gary´s passing. We were classmates for 12 years and we rode the same bus to school... Gary was always so nice and kind. I´m sorry for the entire Wright family. He was a good one, gone too soon.

Michele Loshesky Rieber

December 14, 2024

I am saddened and sorry to learn of Gary´s passing. He was always so kind and nice. We rode the same bus to school and were classmates for 12 years. My sympathies for the entire Wright family. Too soon gone.

Lorrie Gates

December 13, 2024

I was sorry to hear of Gary´s passing.

We were fortunate to share time together in our lives enjoying outdoor/backcountry adventures in our beautiful country & traveling both nationally & internationally.

Sending prayers, & healing thoughts to Gary´s wonderful family.

Don J Swanson

December 13, 2024

I grew up with the Wright boys. I think back on the wonderful memories with Gary. Golfing, skiing, playing softball and so many other things. Gary was like a brother to me. He will surely be missed. To Dick, Tom, Karen, and Andy I am so sorry for your loss.

Cindi Farrar

December 12, 2024

I remember spending a Christmas with Gary and Lorrie at Gary's place in Helena. It made what could have been a too quiet Christmas a very Merry Christmas. RIP Gary. You will be missed.

Lanae Matson Vetsch

December 12, 2024

To the Family: Very sorry to hear Gary passed away. May you have happy memories with you always.
For a short time, I shared an office with Gary at DLI (I was working with Apprenticeship and there was no office for me, so they put me in with Gary). One time he stopped by the office after hours, his dog brought him a gift... it was my sock from my work walking shoes. He didn't tell me for a long time that his dog chewed on my sock, he just put it back in my shoe.
We also attended the same Mosaic Manager Training in 2002 , towards the end of the training, we drew secret names to give a gift and say a story about the person we knew in the training. Gary had my name and I had Gary's name, kind of funny since we were sharing an office at that time.
Gary will be missed by many. Sorry for you loss

Joe and Patty Guiberson

December 12, 2024

We are so saddened to hear of Gary's passing. Gary was a great co-worker and friend, and we enjoyed him immensely. Gary introduced me to a great time of Dragon Boat Racing, and he was always game to have fun. We are so sad for the Wright family and know what a great loss this is. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Mark & Jamie

December 12, 2024

I first met Gary when he was out looking for one of his dogs that got loose. My son found his dog and we walked him back to Gary's. He commented on my Bobcat apparel and we had a good conversation about the Bobcats and his pups. He loved walking those dogs. And whenever he'd walk by, he'd give a friendly wave or chat me up about the Bobcats. Our last conversation was shortly after the Cat/Griz game, as the dogs had Gary out for a walk, and I was putting up my Christmas lights. Amazing how someone with whom you infrequently crossed paths can impact your life. Gary was one of those guys. My condolences to his family and close friends.

Todd Waterman

December 12, 2024

Gary's passing is a tragic loss for the Bill Roberts golf community. He was a great friend and teammate who will most certainly be missed.
RIP Gary

Mike Cooney

December 12, 2024

Gary was a good friend even though I was a Grizzly and he was a Bobcat. Over the years, we had many laughs and good stories. Gary was a gentle soul who in his work, was always looking to help people and to make Montana a better place. I am going to miss our on going bet over the Brawl of the Wild. I owe you a beer for this years Bobcat victory.
My condolences to Gary's family.

Jamie Balsley

December 12, 2024

We already miss you at Bill Robert's. Was a pleasure and a joy to know you. I'm going to miss all your stories and the laughs, and Barney and Clyde

Dave. Smigaj

December 12, 2024

Going to miss you buddy. Had a great many years golfing with you. The memories will last forever. Rest in peace and God bless!

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results