Gary Elliott, 72

Gary Elliott may not have been an actor, athlete, astronaut or brain surgeon, but he was always a true hero for his family. He was a genuine role model who realized that some of the most important things in life were the little things like teaching his son to fly fish. He was the dad who went to all the countless games and ski races no matter the distance or weather. He was the husband who was a rock for his wife during all the ups and downs of life. He was a man of whom you could ask any question and know that you would always get an honest answer. Gary, without fail, would put his family, friends and community before himself. He was an inspiration to many and left this world a better place because he was in it.

Gary had many accomplishments and achievements in his lifetime, but what meant the most to him was the time he was able to spend with his grandsons, Zane and Ryder.

For 48 years, his partner in life was his wife, Bev, whom he loved completely. They enjoyed doing everything together whether it was work or play. In recent years they took great joy in spending time traveling to beautiful places with family and friends.

Gary Ronald Elliott was born Nov. 11, 1940, in Westwood, Calif., to Howard and Dorothy Elliott. He went to high school in Sonoma, Calif., and attended Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho.

His working career began with Liberty Loan Corp., which transferred him to Kalispell to offer interest-free loans to the 1964 flood victims. He soon met the love of his life, Bev Lynch, and had the lengthy engagement of all of three months. They were married Dec. 12, 1964, and then he was promptly transferred back to Redwood City, Calif. Their son, David, was born and, not wanting to raise him in California, they made the wise decision to move again back to the Flathead Valley in the spring of 1967. He then went into the insurance business with his father-in-law, Gordon Lynch, who miraculously proceeded to teach this California boy the joys of fly fishing. Gary knew the streams of Northwest Montana like the back of his hand. He spent many summers with Gordon and David stalking the wily cutthroat trout.

In 1971, Gary and Bev started the first of many business ventures by opening the original Place for Steak. In 1972, he took over operation of the Bierstube at Big Mountain and ran the “best little ski bar” in America until 1997. Gary also opened the first two Pizza Huts in the Flathead Valley, was a partner in Pioneer Pies in Missoula and the Palace Bar in Whitefish. He was a real estate broker for many years, bringing the Coldwell Banker franchise to North Flathead Valley. He was a managing developer of the Sun Crest Sub-division and then co-developed the Sun Crest 1st Addition.

In 1997, Gary and his son David started Rocky Mountain Images in Whitefish. What gave him the most satisfaction were the many lasting relationships built with clients over the years. His business philosophy was always to foster those relationships based on trust and honesty.

Gary truly loved the town of Whitefish and was the chief instigator and ambassador for numerous community events. He was responsible for many years in raising funds for fireworks for the Fourth of July at City Beach. He was instrumental in the development of the soccer fields at Grouse Mountain and was a co-founder of the Whitefish Summer Games.

He was chairman of the committee that spent two years in the 1980s writing the Master Plan for the city of Whitefish. He was a president of the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce and the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation.  He was a longtime member and past president of the Rotary Club of Whitefish and lived his life according to the ideals “of the four-way-test.”

He was a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow many times over. He was a prime minister for Whitefish Winter Carnival and was the creator of Harrold the Hark and the Duchess of Lark and was awarded the High ULLR Award last year.  He had been a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and was awarded Whitefish Citizen of the Year in 2011.

Gary passed peacefully Sunday evening, Jan. 26, 2013, in the loving arms of his son and wife after a courageous year-long battle with cancer. He fought hard and was the strongest of the strong.

He is survived by his wife, Bev; son, David, and daughter-in-law, Natalie; grandsons, Zane and Ryder Elliott; sister, Deanna Tegner, of Oregon; sister-in-law, Karen, and Jim Alma, of Columbia Falls; sister-in-law, Dolores Lynch, of Kalispell; and many loved nieces and nephews in the Flathead Valley, Washington and Oregon. Gary also leaves his best friend, Bob DePratu, of Whitefish.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Dorothy; infant sons, Robert and Thomas Elliott; and brother-in-law, Bill Lynch.

Gary could never be mistaken for a man of few words or ideas. His many friends would tell you that he was not one to shy away from giving his opinion, but when he gave it you always knew it was from his heart.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in his name to the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation, or to the Rotary Club of Whitefish.

“End of an era.”

A celebration of Gary’s life will take place at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31, at the Whitefish Lake Restaurant at the golf course. Gary’s family would love to hear your stories.

 Arrangements are entrusted to Austin Funeral Home.