Jack Ervin

1946 - 2026

Jack Frederick Ervin, 79, passed away peacefully at home on January 25, 2026, after living with lung disease. He was born on July 16, 1946, in LaPorte, Indiana, to Martha and Joe Ervin.

Jack grew up in Indiana and attended college there before transferring to the University of Wyoming, where he earned a degree in Parks and Recreation Management. After graduating, he moved to Montana and began his working life in Billings as a House Parent at Yellowstone Boys Ranch, helping young people and supporting the community in practical ways.

In 1973, Jack married Lavonne Hestekin in Billings, Montana. They moved to Colstrip, where Jack worked as a Drug Counselor at the Teen Center and later as Director of the Colstrip Parks and Recreation District. In 1978, they welcomed their daughter, Sonja.

Jack later began a long career with Montana Power and then Western Energy, working in roles that included human resources, air quality, and land reclamation. He took early retirement in 2002 and moved with Lavonne to Red Lodge. Though retired for a time, he eventually returned to work at Red Lodge Mountain, as he liked to say, for the free lift ticket.

Jack enjoyed working with his hands and building things that lasted. One of his proudest accomplishments was constructing their dome home, where every detail reflects his craftsmanship. He enjoyed wood carving, canoeing, rafting, camping, hiking, fly fishing, and skiing. He was an avid reader and developed a love and talent for beading through classes with Dull Knife Community College. Jack was a dedicated conservationist, cared deeply about wildlife and the natural world, and was devoted to leaving things better than he found them.

One of the greatest joys of Jack's life was spending time with his grandson, Shane, with whom he shared backpacking trips, skiing, and hours in the woodshop.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Martha and Joe Ervin, and his infant son, Nathan. He is survived by his wife, Lavonne; his daughter, Sonja; his son-in-law, Phillip; his grandson, Shane (Katherine); his brother Mike (Gloria); and many loving nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, February 8 at 1:30pm at the Roosevelt Center in Red Lodge.