Stevenson & Sons Funeral Homes

Serving families in the Miles City, Forsyth, Lame Deer, Broadus, Circle, Jordan and Terry areas for three generations.

For Immediate Help Call
Miles City: 406-232-4457 — Forsyth: 406-346-2311

In Memory Of

John Uden, age 77, of Miles City

February 11, 1947 – March 16, 2024

On March 16, 2024  John K. Uden began his final great adventure when he left this life to be with his Lord and his family that passed before him.  He was surrounded by his wife and family.

John was born on February 11, 1947 in Mitchell, SD, the only son of Edgar A Uden, Jr. and Doris S. Uden.  John joined his 10 year old half-brother James A. Farley.  Shortly after his birth John’s father began work with General Motors Corp. which necessitated the family’s move to Omaha, NE which was subsequently followed by other moves to Chicago, IL / Palos Heights, IL / New York, NY / Boston, MA / Winston Salem, NC / Hickory, NC / Spartanburg, SC / Shelby, NC / Atlanta, GA / Jacksonville Beach, FL / back to Mitchell, SD / Winner, SD / Council Bluffs, IA / Valentine, NE and finally to Miles City, MT in June of 1964 where John completed his final year of high school.  In April of 1965 John’s father passed away and it was decided by John and his mother that they would remain in Miles City.  Following high school John attended Miles Community College for two and a half years.  During his summer breaks from college he worked a variety of summer jobs.  In 1966 he worked as a hard rock miner at Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, SD working 1,400 feet underground.  During the summer of 1967 he worked in the synthetic fiber industry working as a take up operator at Alamo Industries (a subsidiary of Phillips 66) in Spartanburg, SC.  Once back home to continue his college he also worked for Miles City Moving and Storage as a freight delivery driver. He subsequently combined his credits from MCC and University of Virginia to obtain his Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Public Administration through on-line courses from Pacific Western University, CA in 1992.

In April 1968 John applied for and was subsequently accepted as a patrolman on the Miles City Police Dept. which was the beginning of a 42 year career in the criminal justice system.  In 1971 John met and married Sherry Norton in Miles City.  In 1973 they were blessed with their first daughter, Shannon Marie who was followed in 1975 with their second daughter Tracy Lynn.  Both girls were then and remain to this day John and Sherry’s pride and joy. In 1972 John was honored by the Miles City Jaycees organization when he was presented with their award for the Outstanding Young Law Officer of the year.  John dedicated 21 years to the MCPD spending his first 8 years as a patrol grade officer followed by 11 years as the department’s detective and ultimately retiring in 1988 as Assistant Chief.  During his early years on the Police Dept. John participated in competitive firearms competition against local, state and federal peace officers from all over Montana, North Dakota and Canada taking home numerous trophies awarded to him at these competitive events. During his 42 years in the criminal justice system he was a graduate, in 1970, from one of Montana’s first Law Enforcement Academy’s at which time he was presented with the Academy’s award for Outstanding Achievement.  In 1981 he graduated from the National Fire Academy at Emmittsburg, MD and became MCPD’s first certified Arson Investigator subsequently joining members of the Miles City Fire Dept. in establishing the city’s first Arson Investigation Team.  In 1982 John graduated from the 11 week FBI National Academy at Quantico, VA becoming the third Miles City Police Officer to graduate from the Academy.

In 1988, four days after his retirement from the Police Dept., John began his career with the Montana Dept. of Corrections as an officer with the Bureau of Adult Probation and Parole with his primary area of coverage being Custer and Rosebud Counties inclusive of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.   In 1993 he graduated from the first Basic Academy for State Probation and Parole Officers.  He continued with his career in the Criminal Justice System until May of 2010 when he took his final retirement from law enforcement.  During his career with Probation and Parole John graduated from Hostage Negotiations training in Montgomery, AL in 1999 and subsequently obtained certification from the State of Montana as a Hostage Negotiations Instructor.  As a Hostage Negotiator John made himself available on numerous occasions to the Miles City Police Dept. to assist their officers in negotiations with barricaded and suicidal individuals.

In 2008, in addition to his work for the State of Montana, John was elected to his first four year term as a City Councilman for the City of Miles City.  He served a total of 3 terms (12 years) on the City Council with assignments to all four of the Council’s committees at various times.

John was proceeded in death by his Mother and father, his brother Jim and his wife Nancy, both sets of his grandparents, all of his aunts and uncles and his best little fur buddy Gizmo.

John is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sherry, his daughters and their families, Shannon (Marc) Lamon and their sons Scott and Quin of Holdrege, NE and his daughter Tracy (Damon) Wamsley and her son Dylan of Miles City, MT as  well as his niece Patricia Owens and nephew Mike Farley both of South Carolina.  He is also survived by his brother by another mother Ed Curnan, his wife Melva and their son and 4 daughters, Dan, Theresa, Cathy, Maile and Kaui.

John requested that his family not be put through a funeral or viewing; his cremation has already taken place. He requested that his family and friends remember him as he was in life and not as he is in death and that they all remember the joyful times that we all spent together especially if pizza or cheeseburgers were available.

Service Schedule

Family to Receive Friends

4:00 PM to 6:00 p.m.

Thursday March 28, 2024

The Parlor

1806 Main Street

Miles City, Montana 59301

View map

Service Schedule

Family to Receive Friends

4:00 PM to 6:00 p.m.

Thursday March 28, 2024

The Parlor

1806 Main Street

Miles City, Montana 59301

View map

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Memories

Read the thoughts and memories, then feel free to add your own.

  1. Sorry to hear about John, another classmate from “1965” gone. Another old Policeman!!!!!
    REST IN PEACE Johnny Boy.
    Jim and Annalise Willson

  3. Sending prayers and condolences to John’s family. I became acquainted with John on his monthly visits to our office here in Forsyth. He always greeted you with a smile and a pleasant aura from him. May he rest in peace.

  4. I’m sorry to hear that John passed. I always enjoyed visiting with him when I was Rosebud County Sheriff. John was liked by anyone who crossed his path and will be missed. Rest in peace my friend.

  5. So sorry to hear this about John . My thoughts and prayers go out to Tracy and all of the family . Rest in peace .

  7. I am saddened to hear John passed away. I hold a great deal of respect for him and always will, in several areas of his career and retired life. John was one of the best police officers I have ever been privileged to know, and honored to have grown up in Miles City when he was an officer and detective, I enjoyed visiting with him and he always had a smile when I seen him. Miles City has lost a kind and wonderful man and retired officer. Rest in peace my friend, I will miss seeing you out eating or just in passing.

  8. So sorry to hear about John’s passing. Our condolences and prayers go out to his family. So many great memories from our high school days, to numerous to list them all. You will be missed. Thanks for the memories.
    Jim and Kathy Bowman

  9. We are so saddened to hear of John’s passing. I’ve known John for many years, he was a very good and kind man. He will be missed by many. We send our deepest sympathizes to the family. May the good Lord be with you John.
    Scott and Sue Jens

  10. Sherry,Shannon,Tracy and family. John was my calebash bruddah! We will miss the barbecue’s,airport Inn, 600, Stagecoach evenings. I will miss the memories , comradeship we developed while employed by the city of Miles Cty as Police officers. The Uden family will forever be remembered as dear friends. R.I.P John and say hello to our fellow officers that had gone before us. God Bless you John, we miss you💖🙏🙏

  11. Our prayers are with you all during this time. Loss is never easy, but rest in Jesus now.

  12. Sherry and family, so, so sorry for your loss. John was a good friend and he will be missed by many. Rest in peace John.

  13. Sherry, Shannon, Tracy and family-
    I have so many wonderful memories of John, he will be dearly missed. My thoughts, prayers and love are with you during this time.

  14. I enjoyed working with John while we were both in law enforcement. A lot of good memories. Our condolences to his family. John, rest in peace.

  15. Condolences and prayers to John’s family. Tom enjoyed working with John in law enforcement for many years. Wishing all the stories they could tell were in a book! Rest in Peace friend!

  16. May God grant you peace through this difficult time. I was so sad to see that he had passed. He was such a kind individual. I’m sure that he will be missed by many.

  18. My condolences to John’s family. He was always nice, cheerful, and called me by name. He will be missed.

  19. RIP my friend. Loved working with you and learned a lot about the basic fundamentals of police work. Prayers for the family.

  21. The last time I saw John was a number of years ago. He was having dinner at the Airport Inn with Ed Curnan. I briefly stopped to visit with them and mentioned that I was living in the Seattle area. John said that he had recently been out to Graham, Washington, to visit a friend that he had come to know as a result of, I believe it was, the investigation into the burglary of John Stockhill Jewelers.

    So, this morning I read John’s obituary on this website and it made me think of him and Graham, Washington. Not more than 30 minutes later my house phone rang and the caller ID said, “GRAHAM WA”. I didn’t answer the call, but I’ll take that as one last message from John, “I’ve got my eye on you, Schott!”

    Rest in peace, Detective Uden.

  22. Deepest sympathy for the families loss. Worked with John at the sheriff’s office in Forsyth for many years and always looked forward to his visits. Such a kind and understanding probation officer. He will be missed by all.

  23. Prayers for the Uden family. May your happy memories fill the hole in your hearts.

  24. I am so sorry to hear of the loss of John. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Let your memories comfort you at this difficult time.
    Love and hugs, Minnesota Cousin, Jan

  25. Sherry & family, You and John and your family have been in my prayers. A friend since high school, John was one of the good guys. He touched many lives. God bless you all as you say farewell to this kind man.
    Mary Ann Liles

  26. Thoughts and prayers to the family of one of my best friends. John was one of the best street cops I ever knew! He taught me so much how to deal with people.
    John, we will be not only be friends, but cops forever!!

    Mike Atkinson
    Miles City Police
    Chief of Police Laurel Montana Retired

  27. John was such a cheerful good person. We will miss him at lunch. God bless the entire family. Rest in peace John.

  28. I’m truly sad to hear of John’s passing. I was hoping for the best… My family lived across Comstock from your family if I remember correctly, it was so many years ago. Sending my deepest condolences.

  29. I was sad to hear of John’s passing. He was a kind man and always took the time to say hello and have a little visit when he saw you. I will miss seeing his smiling face the next time I am in Miles City. The old cow town has lost another good one.

  30. My sincere sympathy to you all. What a nice guy he was!! We were in high school together! Prayers for your broken hearts.

  32. So very sorry for your loss.. our deepest sympathy and prayers to all of you 🙏 ❤️ Monte and Patricia Herzog

  33. My deepest sympathy to the Uden family. John was always so kind and he seemed to always be smiling!! Prayers to your family during this difficult time.

  34. Tracy and Family and am saddened by the loss of John. I always enjoyed your parents Tracy…the were always do sweet and kind. We have many happy memories with them watching the boys play hockey. He will be greatly missed! He was an absolute amazing individual!

  35. Shannon and Mark and family. We were saddened to hear about the passing of your dad, Shannon. We enjoyed visiting with him when they came to visit you in Holdrege. Hope it helps you to know that your friends care about you during this time of your sorrow. Mike and Becky Williams.

  37. Aunt Sherry, Shannon, and Tracy my heart broke when I heard of Uncle John’s passing. He was such an amazing person, he was patient, kind, driven and he loved you three with all his heart! I will forever cherish our airport inn gatherings but most of all our backyard barbecues. He will for ever be missed and memories be cherished!! Sending so much love and prayers to you all.

  39. Our sincere condolences to the Uden Family. John was a pillar in our community and will be missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

  41. My sincere condolences to the Uden family, what a great kind man and good friend, John gave me my first traffic ticket and 50 years later we were still friends. RIP my friend.

  42. He was always so friendly. Great community person. So sorry for his family.

  43. Sherry and family you are in my thoughts and prayers during the difficult times ahead. John was an individual who always brought joy and happiness to all who were fortunate to be in his company. I can’t begin to tell you of the many decades of pleasant memories I had with John. John God Bless you in heaven. I’m so sorry to see you leave us. My thoughts and prayers to all of you as you go through this very difficult period of loss and mourning. May God, bring you comfort and fill you with peace.

  45. Always a smile and warm greeting. He will be missed!
    May you be comforted with cherished memories.

  46. I was seven years old when my aunt Sherry and uncle John were married. We lived in Helena. But every time we went to Miles city we got to see John and Sherry, Shannon and Tracy every Christmas was amazing and get him to drive around with John doing burnouts in his mothers Oldsmobile. And he always told me about the El Camino that he had. And when my son went to college in the Dakotas, halfway was Miles city, and he always stayed with John and Sherry. They always had an open door policy and the Coca-Cola‘s were always ice cold. I will miss him, but I will never forget him, Scott McLean.

  47. To John’s family,
    John was always fair with everyone and was a great guy however, you all know that already! He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Thank you for all that you did for the community and your service to Miles City. Rip John.

  48. Sherry and family, So sad to hear of John’s passing. He will be missed. Prayers to the family.

  49. ~ May your Journey Be Well into The Next Life✨ my good friend.
    Thank you for believing in me & the good advice you shared with me.
    ~ You was a Fair & Decent man John. It was a privilege to have gotten to know you. I always & still have a Cold Coca-Cola Soda in the AM☀️ instead of Coffee most times…‼️ Like you always said🙏

  50. Very sorry to see this. What a remarkable guy! Always fair and certainly a kind heart. As of late I always enjoyed visiting with him at the parades and downtown Sunday mornings. My thoughts and prayers to all.

  51. Sherry & girls – My thoughts and prayers are with you. When I was a little girl John would show up at my mom & dad’s house right before Christmas with a gift just for me. I can still remember the big grin on his face! He will be missed by so many.

  52. So sorry to hear about John. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sherry and family. Will remember the times we were with you and will smile. A remarkable person.

  53. My two friends and I will never forget this man. Every time something happened at our apartment building he was usually the one to show up.

    We had, had an accident coming home in a snow storm, my sister reported it an we did not know. We were home for maybe an hour or so when there was this knock at my door. I opened it and I had to look up and out y door. But I know who it was anyway. He asked if we were all OK. He gave one of my friends a lecture about what not to do when someone else is driving like not grabbing the steering wheel. He ade his point. You kids and you mother had a wonderful father and husband. He had a heart of gold. They do not make many like Lt Uden — as the name we remember him by.

    You all have our deepest condolences and prayers. Lt Uden blessed you with some big gorgeous wings so soar an sorry high with them. Rest in Peace SIR.

    Arlene, Cindy, and Michelle

  54. Dear Sherry & family, I’m so sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was a good, kind man and I’ll always remember him helping me out when I was in high school.
    God Bless you all,
    Karen Stewart-Carrico

  55. Sherry so sorry to hear about John’s passing. He was good friend we enjoyed visiting with John whether at the golf course or dinner at the Hole in the Wall. RIP John.

    Dave @ Jean

  56. To all of John’s family,
    We are so sorry to hear of John’s death. He was such a nice man – always had a smile and always interested in what was happening in the lives of everyone he knew. That was nearly everyone. We know you have many memories. May they give you comfort and smiles as you journey through your grief. Sending warm thoughts and hugs.

  57. My prayers are with the Uden family. I met John in college. He was a good man and will be missed.
    Jack

  58. My memory of John is when he went to bat for his daughter Shannon during the spring quarter of 1991. Shannon needed to take a freshman writing class and the university she wanted to attend was not letting her pre-register because there were no openings for her to take it there. She was a late add to my class and was a delight to have. Her dad was very gracious in thanking me for letting her join my class. Shannon, I don’t know if you remember that or knew the back story for your getting into that class, but your dad was your cheerleader. If I’m not mistaken, you were a senior at CCDHS at that time. That’s a long time ago, so my details might be a bit fuzzy. My condolences to the Uden family at the passing of an honorable man.

  59. Because of a talk with Officer Uden I came to my senses and slowed down. He said he didn’t want to be the one scraping me off the road after an accident. I could really do burn outs and would have loved to have known that he could too. The long bygone days of being young and foolish with memories of Officer Uden are cherished. My sympathy to the family.

  60. John was a good public official , his work as a Police Officer, his insightful reports when he was at the State Probation Office, and a voice of reason on the City Council. Enjoyed running into him over the years. My condolences to his Family.

  61. Sherri and family,
    So sorry to hear of John’s passing. I always enjoyed talking to you guys when I saw you at Walmart. He was always so friendly and so proud of his family. My prayers are with you guys.

    Debbie

  62. Our sincere condolences to the Uden Family. John was an outstanding individual with a tremendous work ethic. 40 years of commitment and dedication to the city of miles city and the state of Montana. This takes a special person ..a person who truly cared for the members of the community and the people he worked with all these years. John, you will be missed by so many but never forgotten.
    Casey Prell and Family.

  63. So sorry to hear about John’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

  64. Oh.gosh so hard to imagine being in miles city and John not being there. What a good person and loyal friend he has been through the years. I remember liking him the first day he showed up at Custer. I remember when he and my sister sherry’s friend sherry Norton started dating. Great couple. Having left miles city in 1970 i missed a lot but I can say I saw him on most if not all of my trips back over the years. John was the kind of friend who always showed up, was always kind, thoughtful, and could be relied on. He walked in when others walked away.. Sherry and girls my thoughts are with you.

  65. John was an amazing person who cared about many-He loved and protected the community-He gave a lot to keep the community of Miles City a good place! Rest in Peace!

  67. John and I were 2nd Cousins. I am Jack DeRosier’s Daughter Sherri Dillman. ( Aunt Doris’ great niece) As kids John & I spent fun days together, when we were on vacation in Mitchell SD. I’m sorry I never got to meet Sherry,and the girls. Sending my heartfelt sympathy 😔

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