Daniel H. Walsh, 71

Daniel H. Walsh passed away at his home on Monday, Nov. 2, 2015.

He was an honest man, known for his stories, his wit and his word. Dan loved life, his family and friends, and America.  

If you had the honor to know Dan, you know that you would be greeted with a smile, an off-color joke and a great story. You see, Dan was a man who loved to make people laugh. He loved to share his joy in the world through his memories and always tried to make you feel like a friend — no matter if you were an old friend or new, good situation or bad.

Dan was a hardworking man. He opened his pawn shop, The Trading Post, in Pasco, Washington, shortly after marrying his love, Judy Hartley, in Kalispell. Dan had a dream of providing for his new, ready-made family, which included two young daughters, Shonda Kay and Becky. Shortly after the business was settled, Judy and the girls moved to Pasco, where they expanded their family with a third daughter, Jenny, set roots with a new home that they renovated from the studs up and developed that successful business together.  

While in Pasco, Dan was a longtime member in the Shriners of the Columbia Basin, Lodge No. 173, where he was a 33 degree Mason. There, he enjoyed putting on the 33 degree program for new prospective members, leading the way for the future of the organization. He was also an active member of the Washington State Pawn Brokers Association, where he served as president among other roles.

Dan was not only a respected business man, but also one known for entertaining his friends and family. Community members would stop by The Trading Post frequently just to say hello and listen to his stories about tools, guns and those crazy customers. Dan finally closed the shop after 40 years, with new dreams of retiring in the mountains where he and Judy first met.

Dan and Judy returned to Kalispell in 2011, where he spent time with his twin brother David and wife Carolyn Walsh. The twins would happily reminisce of their mischievous childhood pranks and the fond memories of when they, along with now deceased brother Greg, would embark on long hunting trips via horseback in the mountains with their father.  

In his spare time, Dan loved sitting in his yard, enjoying the view of the mountains, watching and feeding the birds and taking walks with Judy. One constant trait about Dan is that he’d always look for heart-shaped rocks to bring home to her whether it was on a long trip away or just a simple walk to the mailbox, she was always on his mind and in his heart.  

Dan loved target practicing and buying and selling guns with members of the Gun Club, all the while, sharing his knowledge of shooting, gun safety and again, those fun stories. He also loved camping in the mountains with friend, David Mosby, where they’d cook elaborate meals with peanut butter, bread and cheese over a self-built fire pit at their campsite. And when Dan was too weak to walk up the mountain, David would pull him up a path on his bike, just so Dan could see the view.  

Dan surrounded himself with amazing people — whether it be family, old friends or new friends at his church, the Bigfork Chapel. Regardless of who you were, you knew where you stood with Dan. He was a man of honor, a man of his word, and a man with a very big heart.

Dan is survived by his wife, Judy Hartley Walsh; his oldest daughter Shonda and husband Robert, middle daughter Becky and husband Brian, and youngest daughter Jenny. He also has two grandchildren, Jacob and Joshua, whom he was amazingly proud of as they grew into young men. Dan is also survived by his older sister, Barbara Cornwall; and twin brother, David, and his wife Carolyn; as well as multiple nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all who helped Dan during his battle with cancer, including David and Beverly Mosby, Dan and Marilyn Harmon, Pastor Richard Stewart and wife Hope, the entire congregation of the Bigfork Chapel; Drs. Paul and Kelly Berkrum, Dr. Elise Anderes, Dr. Stillie, Dr. Habel, Dr. Bishop, Dr. Rizzolo, Dr. Tubbs, Dr. Coehn, Dr. Carrie Thompson, Dr. Heather Neal Blanchard and all of their nursing staff across Kalispell Regional Medical Center.  

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Bigfork Chapel Assembly of God, with a reception directly following.

The Chapel is located at 290 Swan Highway, Bigfork, MT 59911.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family.