Alan Ray Biery passed through Heaven’s gate on Friday, October 25, 2024, in La Jolla, CA. He was able to save the life of man in his 50’s from Arizona through organ donation. Alan had a double lung transplant on October 16 in one of the smoothest surgeries the medical team had done. He was recovering nicely and was being prepared to leave the intensive care unit just 3 days post-op. His nurse said that was unheard of. Unfortunately, he developed a blood clot requiring CPR and never regained consciousness.
The 4th of 5 children born to Richard and Geneva Biery, Alan was born on March 17, 1961, in Forsyth, MT. Growing up in Rosebud, he worked on the family farm from the age of 12, side-by-side with his father, brother Bud and Uncle Dan. He attended grades 1-6 at Cartersville and graduated from Rosebud High School in 1979. He received a perfect attendance award every year from grade 1 through graduation.
After graduation he worked at the grain elevator in Forsyth and for BNSF Railroad. In 1987 he loaded up is beat-up pick-up and headed to California. During his time in Cali, he worked various construction-related jobs. At the age of 62 he retired from the Ramona Water District and returned home to Rosebud in 2023 to be with his mom and began farming with Bud.
Alan married Kimberly (Looney) in February 1995, later divorcing. During their marriage, Alan met the love of his life, when Kim gave birth to their daughter, Kaylyn Nicole on February 22, 1996. It was obvious from day one that Alan was an awesome dad. He traveled with Kaylyn to Montana numerous times, just him and his baby girl. He attended all of Kaylyn’s t-ball, softball, and soccer games and gymnastics, cross country and track and field meets. He passionately supported her every adventure. He introduced her to baseball at a young age by taking her to Padre games at Qualcomm Stadium and Petco Park. They continued to enjoy this event with Kyle and other friends and family. Alan was a father to Zach, a dad to Kaylyn and became a father by heart when Kim & Stan welcomed Kyle into the world. He understood that not all family is created by blood.
Alan was an amazing athlete his entire life until he developed Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2020 and could no longer be as active. He participated in AAU wrestling, football, basketball, track, soccer, volleyball, weightlifting, arm wrestling, riding bikes and playing frisbee. When he learned how to scuba dive, he became a master diver with the hopes of becoming an instructor. A broken nose from a weight training accident ended that dream.
He would give anyone anything and everything he had. Material possessions and money meant little to him, particularly when it came to caring for others. He bought a car for a friend in need, gave his scuba gear to a friend’s son and recently told a family member, “I’d give you a million dollars if I had it. It’s only money”.
Alan became a man of great faith. He gave his family the greatest gift we could have ever asked for by assuring us he did not fear death. He told family members that “Heaven is going to be beautiful” and “If it’s my turn, I am OK with that”. Rest in peace our amazing Ooper!
Alan is survived by his mother, Geneva Biery; his daughter, Kaylyn; his son, Zach Seleg and grandchildren: Ryleigh, Brooklyn and Decklan; honorary son, Kyle Looney; siblings and families: Brenda Potts & Peter McGuire, and her children Collins & Amy (Potts) Solomon and children Trinity, Christian, Natalie and Hailey; Chad & Kelly Potts, and children Abe and Nola; Susan & Richard Edwards, and their daughter Darcy DuMontier and granddaughter Alexis Giannopulos; Curtis “Bud” Biery and his daughter Jennifer Deming and children Casey and Kyra Deming (Anniyah and Harriet Helland) and granddaughter Skylar Niles; Dawn & Denis Koehn, and children Leonard & Leah (Salcido) Nichol and children Rylee and Remington; Hayley Salcido; Joshua & Cameron Koehn and son Ryker; and a very large extended family and group of friends too numerous to list. Alan never met a stranger. There are so many stories of him walking into a room and greeting a person he had never met before in such a manner that you thought they were old friends.
He is preceded in death by his father, Richard Biery; sister-in-law, Katheren Biery; nephew, Zachary Salcido; niece, Kimberley Evans; great-nephew, Michael Lee; maternal and paternal grandparents: John and Elizabeth Beyl, Charles Biery, Hugh and Gladys Moyer and many aunts and uncles.
Our family wishes to send a special thanks to the staff at UCSD Health – Jacobs Medical Center, Sulpizio Cardiovascular for the excellent care they provided. From the time Alan was admitted to the hospital on September 11, until the time of his passing, he won the hearts of the staff members, including his nurse Jonathan “Johnny B” and Sonja, the 4th floor custodian. The medical team believed in his strength so much that they performed CPR for an unprecedented 58 minutes, allowing him to fulfill his wishes of organ donation. He and Sonja had a pact, she lent him a personal item with the agreement that he would return it to her when he left the hospital. When it was returned to her, she was a devastated as the rest of us.
Viewing will be Thursday, November 7, from 4-6 p.m. with services Friday, November 8 at 11:00 am at Stevenson & Son’s Funeral home in Forsyth, MT, followed by burial in the Forsyth cemetery.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Thursday November 7, 2024
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth , Montana 59327
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Friday November 8, 2024
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Friday November 8, 2024
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Thursday November 7, 2024
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth , Montana 59327
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Friday November 8, 2024
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Friday November 8, 2024
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Share
Peggy & Brian Certain says
Condolences to all of Alan’s family. Many great times were had at Dick & Geneva’s home growing up and over the years! God’s peace to all!
Sandi Van Pelt says
So very sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for you all.
Jennifer Ferguson Johnson says
I’m so sorry for your loss. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Katie Ridenhower says
Condolences to the Biery Family, my thoughts and prayers to you all.
Katie (Mary Ellen’s Grand daughter)
marcus belgarde says
sorry for the loss of alan he was a great guy. sending prayers
Mike Ferguson says
Way to young ,one hell of a great guy,so sad,my condolences
Roxie Davis says
So sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers to all.
Susan Biery Edwards says
My dear baby brother…rest in peace. Please give dad a big hug from me and I’ll give all of our loved ones here on earth a big hug from you also. Yes. We are all saddened by your passing however we are so happy to have had you in our lives. Love you forever and always!!
Susan and Richard
Karrie Fisher says
So sorry to hear of your loss, keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Karrie (Wolfe) Fisher
Joan Leinwand says
Sending my condolences.
Rocky and Carol Plympton says
We are so sorry to hear of Alan’s passing. Our hearts and prayers are with you in this time of loss. May God heal your hearts and bring you peace and bring you closer to Jesus.
Scott and Ann Marie Beyl says
We are so sorry for your loss. We are going to miss you cousin. Love and prayers to all the family.
Scott and Ann Marie
Janet says
So sorry to hear of this. Prayers for all.
Diana Potts Robinette says
Sending my deepest condolences to the Biery family.
Spencer LaGree says
Alan I miss you, looking up to you wanting to arm wrestle like you, and we finally got to have our first and last drink it was the best cousin. Rest in peace
my thoughts and prayers to the Biery Family
Jack and Glenda Lockie says
Sure enjoyed working with Al on the railroad. He was a very hard worker and fun to be around, he will be missed. RIP Al
Patti & Brad Bredeson says
Geneva & family we are so sorry to hear of Alan’s passing he was a very good man and we always enjoyed visiting with him.Our thoughts are with you all at this difficult time.
Pam Beardsley says
To the Biery family
My heart goes out to each of you. I am very sorry for your loss. This world lost an amazing soul. Alan absolutely adored his family and really enjoyed being back home to spend time with his Mom and work alongside Bud again. He really enjoyed his travels to go visit KayIyn. She always made him so proud. I will miss our visits, his laughter and that grin he’d get when he knew he got the best of you.
RIP Alan Ray, you will be missed so much.
Pat and Bob Corbin says
Condolences to the Biery family. Hold you memories close. May the Lord hold you tight.
Pam says
Geneva my heart goes out to you. So sorry for your loss.
Cindy Lebie says
To all of Alan’s family. I’m so very sorry.
Lance, Brent & Darlene Clark says
Geneva, Dawn, Susan, Brenda and Bud / Families:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Hold strong with your faith and your chrerished memories.
Sincerely,
Lance Clark, Olympia
Brent Clark, Volborg
Darlene Clark, Miles City
Lance, Brent & Darlene Clark says
Geneva, Bud, Brenda and Susan / Families:
Our thoughts and prayere are with you!
May your faith and treasured memories hold you.
Lance Clark
Brent Clark
Darkene Clark
Gordie, Jan and Casey Schipman says
Our hearts go out to Alan’s family. Prayers and hugs. Xox
Keith Woods says
Alan was such a great guy. He’s in a lot of my younger memories.
My condolences to the Biery family.
Annetta Harsch Forrest says
My heart is breaking at this s news. Alan you were one of the best cousins ever!! I’m so sorry we only met once but you definitely left an impression on my heart. I have thought of you often. Rest in peace dear angel. I know you will be busy watching over your family. I wish I had the opportunity to know you better but you definitely left a lasting impression. My heart is breaking at your passing but I know that you are going to continue to watch over your children and her loved ones. So long dear cousin until we meet again. Love you
Susan Stabelfeldt says
My condolences to all the Biery family.
Tadeo Vasquez says
Alan was a special human being and may God rest his soul. We worked together for the Otay Water District for several years. He had a vast knowledge of construction and pipeline experience from working with one of the largest pipeline construction companies in Southern California, I believe he started with Otay in his mid to late to late 30’s, we often had different views and opinions of how some work should be done, I started my career at the age of 21 and learned the Otay way of how to get jobs done, hence our differences. On the outside , time was money with Otay it wasn’t always that way but the different experiences we shared complimented each other. Alan was a workhorse, pound for pound, the strongest man I ever worked with and I’ve worked with a few. Our working relationship was built on mutual respect at least I know it was for me, his daughter was young while he was with the District and he was an extremely proud Father, something I admired in him very much, someone I would want in my fox hole for sure. I look back on those years very fondly and was deeply saddened to hear of his passing, rest in peace Alan , God would be wise to make Alan one of his Arch Angels.
Chad Thompson says
My condolences to all of the family.
Alan was an incredible person. He taught so many things to help me through life. I was lucky enough i got to spend many enjoyable years with Alan as a friend and co-worker.
RIP, you will be missed by all who knew you.
Carlos Ayala says
My deepest condolences to the Biery Family, my name is Carlos I became good friends with Alan back in the late 80s at Cass Construction we were at the time coworkers on a damn good crew & Company ,I will always remember my friend as hard working man that would do anything for people just a jewel of a man ,I will forever cherish my times with him & I’ll see u again my friend
Jim Bott says
Our thoughts and prayers are with Alan’s family and friends. Alan was a great classmate and friend. Always enjoyed getting together with him and visiting. We have many great memories.
Johnny p says
I met Alan in late 80s early 90s always was fun to be around.sorry for your loss.hes moved on to God’s hands.
Joe and Loy Martens says
Our condolences to Alan’s family. He is in a good place. Praying that God gives you peace as you share memories.
Noah Thompson says
The world has lost a truly great man. Alan would always make you smile and always greeted you with so much enthusiasm. I can remember as a small child when we would hang onto his curled pinky finger trying to straighten it out for him and he would pick us up off the ground by it and laugh. He would do anything for you, he gave us all his scuba gear and we are still out enjoying it today. He will be missed.