Jeffrey Scott Sullivan, 60

Jeffrey Scott Sullivan, 60, passed away Aug. 12, 2016, at his home in Bigfork, due to complications from cancer.

He was born Feb. 20, 1956, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He started school in Michigan and also attended school in Ohio, Idaho, Billings and Great Falls, graduating in 1974 from Billings West High School. He also took several American Sign Language classes at Flathead Valley Community College.

Jeff served active duty with the National Guard in Helena and Kalispell, receiving a medical discharge.

He married Cheryle Hill in Billings in November 1975. They later divorced and Jeff became a single father for many years.

Jeff started in Billings working in retail sales. He also worked in Great Falls in wholesale sales. His working career in the Flathead Valley was with Pepsi, and as a woodworker with Meissenburg Design. He regretted not working there longer. He retired in May of this year due to health.

Jeff was active in community events in Woods Bay. Affectionately called the “Mayor of Woods Bay,” he coached Little League middle school football and served as the state commissioner of women’s softball. He was also a whitewater festival volunteer and had been on a dragonboat team since the event’s inception. Despite illness, he had made it to a practice this past spring to see his teammates.

Jeff loved working with wood, ships in bottles, Victorian birdhouses and his Windy City Christmas Village. His passion was creating Christmas ornaments for friends and family, as simple as a crescent moon to the details of a log cabin with each log placed individually.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry and Lois Sullivan; his son, Craig Sullivan; brother, Rick Sullivan; and sister, Cristi Hand; and Floyd, his ferret.

He is survived by his daughter, Lori Sullivan and grandkids Reiley Sullivan and Amanda, Cody and Ashleigh Todd, of Bridger; son, Brian Sullivan of Bigfork; sister, Debbie and Les Ingram and their daughters Bailee and Jay Dembek, and their children Adeline and Maisy, of Bigfork; nephew, Taylor Ingram of Bigfork; niece, Kylee and Kirk Archibald and children Payton and Maddie, of Belgrade; nephew, Jeremy Sullivan and Aiko Johnson of Salt Lake City; and sister-in-law Dawn Noble of Missoula.

Join our Christmas-themed tribute to Jeff Sullivan by celebrating his favorite holiday from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, at the Swan River Hall on Highway 83 in Bigfork. We will have decorations, music and memories. If it’s too hot for your ugly sweater, a Christmas T-shirt will do. A short program and time for friends to speak will take place at 5 p.m.

Jeff requested memorials be made to Toys for Tots. New, unwrapped toys can be brought to the celebration on Sunday. Monetary donations can be mailed to Toys for Tots, c/o Sean Weeks, 468 Lake Loop Road, Kalispell, MT 59901.

To send a note of condolence to the family, please visit www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.