Garry Paul Bunke passed away peacefully in his home in Billings MT. He was 73 years old.
Garry was born to Paul and Adeline (Glenna) Bunke in Beach ND, on May 5th, 1949. He was the only son, outnumbered, loved and tolerated by four sisters. He loved to prove he could hold his own, and as a four-year-old, would spike his cowboy boots and chase his sisters around the farm. On long road trips, when five siblings had to share one soda, Garry spit in the bottle to have it to himself. When confronted, young Garry simply responded with an innocent smile.
Later, the family relocated to Miles City, MT where Garry graduated from Custer County District High School. He attended Miles Community College, earning his bachelor’s degree at Montana State University. He later graduated from Gonzaga University Law School in Spokane, WA and passed the Montana bar exam, becoming an attorney.
Garry was an attorney for 46 years, had a private practice, served as County Attorney for Rosebud, Custer and Prairie counties, Public Defender for the State of Montana and a child advocate in child abuse cases. Being an attorney gave Garry a sense of purpose. He enjoyed the challenges of his career and interpreting the law to obtain the best outcome for his clients. At one time, he also served as an attorney for tribal court. He cherished his colleagues and the relationships he built throughout his career. Garry was not good at retiring. He did it multiple times and failed, consistently returning to work.
Garry was one of those people you instantly liked the moment you met. He would talk to anyone and never gave notice to their status or wealth, demonstrating compassion for all. He was more of a listener than a talker, a non-judgemental man with tremendous patience who will be forever known for his kind heart. Even one of his unsuccessful defendants called Garry, “the nicest prosecutor I’ve ever known”.
Garry was a loving father to Jennifer, Amber, Nathan and Rachel. He encouraged his children to be curious, seek new experiences and create their own path. He taught them the importance of giving back to their community and seeing situations from multiple points of view. Garry loved to laugh. One of the family’s fondest memories is a Christmas Eve spent reading Deep Thoughts and laughing for hours.
Garry enjoyed reading, fishing, watching movies, gummy bears and giving his dog Nacho unlimited table scraps. He embraced technology and was an early adopter of new gadgets and functionalities. When one of the first PCs came out, he proudly showed off his TRS 80 to anyone who walked into his office.
Garry was preceded in death by his son Nathan, parents Paul and Adeline and second wife Coleen.
Garry is survived by his daughters, Jennifer Bunke (Steve), Amber Nielson and Rachel Shepherd (Don); four sisters Betty Bellinger, Sharon Trollope, Sonja Holt (Deroy) and Pam Bunke. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Troy, Tonia, Terra, Todd, Sarah, Jeffrey and Paula along with many other extended family members who he loved dearly.
Visitation will be Sunday August 28th, 3-5pm in the Chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth. Funeral services will be held Monday August 29th at 11am. Following the funeral, a reception will be held in his honor at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Sunday August 28, 2022
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Memorial Service
11:00 AM
Monday August 29, 2022
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
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Connie Brown says
Amber and family,
Sorry for the loss of your dad; hold tight to your memories.
Lance B. says
Oh, my! That is a total surprise and a major loss. My condolences to Joan and his daughter of course. Got to watch out and not “awfulize things” as Garry used to recommend.
Tracee L RAYMOND says
Oh, I can’t even begin to tell you how this caught me off guard. My condolences to Joan, Amber and family. Garry was a great guy and will dearly be missed by so many. Prays to all.
Thomas E Masa says
R.I.P. my old friend
Martha Nottveit says
I so sorry loss of Garry. He was very good lawyer to me and husband and good friend. My prayerss and thoughts to the family.
Nancy Buzard says
Amber
So sorry to see this about your Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you 🙏🏼
Jim Altenhofen says
How sad-a great friend
Lissa says
Saddened to learn of Garry’s passing. Condolences to Garry’s family. Garry never met a person he wouldn’t help. Fortunate to have been his friends.
Willis & Ardi Bartholomay
& Lissa Power
Linda Winkley says
So sorry to hear of Gary’s passing.
Sandie Waldo Viall says
I’ve known Garry for many years. We would have some great visits whenever we ran into each other in Terry or Miles City. He was a source of support when I was dealing with legalities after my parents deaths. It makes me sad knowing he is no longer with us on this planet. Condolences to his family. May your memories sustain you.
Sandie
Jennifer Ferguson Johnson says
I’m so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mearl DeTienne says
Sorry to hear of Garys passing, My He rest in Peace. Mearl DeTienne, Billings Mt.
Pam Ash says
Garry introduced me to computers and was the kindest, all around good guy and boss I’ve ever known! I send my condolences and best wishes to his family.
Janet Klein says
This saddens my heart! Garry was a good friend from high school days. He and I attended the FHA formal when I was a freshman and he as a sophomore. Both of us being shy, it was a quiet date but memorable. He was a special friend who had an impact on many people in his years of professional work. May his memories sustain you during this difficult time…you are in my thoughts and prayers…Janet Buraas Klein
Marcy Parks says
Rachel, I am so sorry! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sandi Kohones says
Garry was such a kind and friendly person, always with a smile and warm greeting! So sorry for the family’s loss!
Mary L Partridge says
I served with Gary on the DEAP Board for several years. He was always there with thoughtful counsel to us all. He was a fine gentleman–and a gentle man. My condolences to all of you who loved him.
Ron Alsbury says
I met your Dad in Forsyth in 1976, through our mutual Criminal Justice work. His influence remained with me over the years, as I enjoyed a life long work relationship with Aunt Pam! I love your Dad and also enjoyed a special kinship with him, in an anonymous fashion. Bless you all!
Scott&Kathy Pering says
My sympathy to Garrys family. I went to high school with Garry and shared many adventures and laughs with him. I considered myself lucky to be his friend. From the old gang R.I.P.
Nina says
My thoughts are with family.
I believe he is fishing with Nathan.
He was a kind man.
Deb Payne says
So sorry to hear of Gary’s passing! Cool laid back man! Prayers to his family and friends…
Melinda Tangen says
Garry was the kindest man I’ve ever met. He was a crack wit too. Many years ago when Rachel and Nathan were little, I wallpapered their dining room and kitchen! I don’t think he ever met a stranger. I am so sorry for your loss. He will be missed by all who loved him best.
Dione says
My Sincere sympathy to all of Gary’s family and friends.Gary was a roommate and friend of mine in Bozeman Montana. I remember at one point when he was a convenience store clerk that someone pointed a gun at him by the register and he began pushing it away as he thought it was a joke from one of us. It wasn’t. I Have so many fond memories and stories. May God-bless him and all of his family members.
Dick Culver says
I`m sorry Joan, my heart is with you.
RS says
To the Bunke family sorry for your loss such a MAJOR loss once again for Miles City … i knew who he was what he did and my prayers and thoughts go out to all the family during this sad time.. Heaven gained another AWESOME angle ..
Wes Wes Malenovsky says
GOD BLESS WE MISS YOU MAGIC
Cindy A Stanton says
The family of the late Judge Gladys Stanton(Garfield County) wishes to send our condolences to the Bunke family. Mom spoke of Garry often. We hope you find peace & comfort.
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
Garry was short in stature, but he carried it very well. It is sad to lose another CCHS classmate, but I’m sure no one will forget him. My sincere sympathy to all of Garry’s family.
Sheila Kale says
So sorry to hear of Garry’s passing. Such a quiet man. I worked for him years ago and I don’t think I ever saw him upset or raise his voice, which he probably could have talked a little louder I was always saying “what”. Garry was one of the good guys.
John Huntley says
I am very saddened to learn of Garry’s passing. He was a kind, compassionate and understanding man that made this world a better place. He was subdued and even keeled but colorful and interesting.
I am so sorry for the Bunke family’s loss.
Gold Bless.
Lorna Niles says
So sorry to the family, for their loss…
Gary n I had a bumpy start, but he made good on his word, when I need him most. I appreciated him…
Ruth Peck says
I was sorry to hear of Garry’s passing. He was a very kind man. He was always willing to help anyone he could. My deepest sympathies to Garry’s family.
Collene Hill says
So sorry to hear of Gary’s passing, he was a great lawyer, I worked with him in the Courthouse in Forsyth. My sympathies to all of the family.
megan sadler says
Rachel and family,
My condolences to your family. I remember your dad always nice and very welcoming! You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Patty Ward says
I am so sorry for the loss of Garry he was an amazing person and attorney. I knew Garry from when he was an attorney in Miles City.
Thoughts and prayers 🙏 🙏🙏
Mike DiBrizzi says
My sincere condolences to Garry’s family and friends on his passing. I had the honor, and privilege, to work with Garry at the Billings Public Defenders office for several years. When I started there as a new Investigator I was paired up with Garry and several other attorneys. At first we just spoke about the cases but things inevitably turned to family, friends and our disparate backgrounds. He would tell me about what it was like growing up and working in eastern Montana and I would explain my experiences growing up in New York City. It was a pleasure to share time with him working on legal issues and just shooting the breeze. He constantly teased me that since I was also an attorney I should be handling the case instead of him. I appreciated his sharp wit and humor when dealing with clients and judges and will remember him always. Truly a good man
jani lynam says
RIP Gery Bunke!!! Thoughts & Prayers for Joan & family as they go through their loss.
Mona Graham says
Rest In Peace Garry. And my condolences to your family.
Britton Frisbie says
Such a kind man! He was just simply one of the best!!!!
Robert W Bunke Bunke & Bettie Lou says
To Gary’s family
We were saddened to hear of Gary’s passing. The last time i saw Gary was at his dads funeral. The past year has been hard on the Bunke family. With sister Myrtle, brothers Willy ,Stan , Clint and now nephew Gary. This leaves me as the only one left in the Paul Sr Bunke family . At age 95 I have a ton of memories of a great family. Bettie Lou and I send our deepest sympathy to you and ask the good Lord to watch over you and bless you with pleasant memories of a wonderful person.
Rob & Bettie Lou Bunke
Sheila Kale says
My sympathy to the Bunke Family
John Doherty says
He wouldn’t mind my recalling his law school days at Gonzaga from ‘72 to ‘75. He claimed he was raised in Miles City’s only bar, restaurant and motel. Said he could play pool before he could read. On Friday nights after night class we’d adjourn to Joey’s Tav. The ritual was someone would spot Garry a quarter and he’d challenge the table and take it over for the evening as only the most foolish would play him for pitchers—and did they ever get a lesson! He was in his comfort zone with that stick in his hand and all of us cheering him on and sharing, of course, in his pitcher largesse.
One of the purest fun persons I ever met.