Corbin Lee Damjanovich

Corbin Lee Damjanovich passed away on Feb. 6, 2024. He was the son of Milton Blazo Damjanovich and Carol Lynn Openshaw Smith. Corbin was born in Billings on Sept. 27, 1969. He was the third child of Milton and Carol, raised with sisters Dona and Tracy.

Corbin grew up near Shepherd. He graduated from Shepherd High School in 1988. His childhood passions were riding motorcycles, horses and snowmobiles. He loved camping, hunting and fishing with his father, best friends and cousins. He spent much of his time with his Yugoslavian grandmother, Baba. She taught him to cook, grow a garden and can vegetables.

As a teenager, Corbin worked closely with his father. He learned many skills, such as farming, carpet installation, construction, mechanics and working with machinery.

In 1999, Corbin married Suzanne M. Kelley. A daughter, Nicolette, was born in 2001 and a son, Derek, was born in 2002. Corbin supported his children’s interests and was proud of their achievements. He instilled humility and compassion in them. He was an example of discipline and hard work. Corbin devoted his life to his children.

Corbin was an outdoorsman. He took advantage of all Montana had to offer. Corbin experienced the high, snowcapped peaks hunting elk and the valleys below fishing its lakes and rivers and panning for gold. He rafted, boated and enjoyed riding his V-Rod motorcycle. Without any doubt, Corbin would always be at elk camp each November enjoying the time he had with his best friends and later sharing his harvest with his family and friends.

Corbin was naturally gifted working with his hands. In his early 20s, he apprenticed and attained the position as plumber and pipefitter. He was on the Board of Union Local 30. During his career, he oversaw large projects for Star Service, including hospitals, schools, mines and government buildings. Corbin loved working on major plumbing projects and enjoyed leading plumbing crews.

Corbin cultivated a dream in Nicky and Derek to travel to Alaska for a salmon fishing trip. This past July that dream came true. They had a special time together.

In the past two years, Corbin traveled to Namibia, Africa, on a hunting safari as well as a successful grizzly bear hunt in Alaska. He enjoyed a bear hunt in Wyoming this last fall. He was never at a loss for the next adventure.

People will remember Corbin for his servant’s heart. When not at work helping his team, Corbin helped others with his unlimited skill set. He happily was available for family, friends and strangers by donating his abilities for their needs. To sum up his life, Corbin simply gave of himself.

Corbin was a man of strong character and faith. He loved Jesus. Those who knew him sought him out for his wisdom and his prayers. He was the solid rock for so many.

Corbin came from a large, loving, extended family, where values of generosity, integrity and kindness were instilled in him.

His signature smile was welcomed into heaven by his grandparents, Blazo and Drage Damjanovich, Carl Eugene Openshaw, Audrey Sweeney; his father, Milton Damjanovich and stepmother, Carole Lamar Damjanovich; his stepfather, Robert Smith; many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins. Without a doubt, Corbin heard Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Waiting to see him again is his mother, Carol Smith; his children, Nicolette Damjanovich and Derek Damjanovich; his sister and brother-in-law Dona (Damjanovich) McLeod and Todd Linder, and their children and grandchildren, Ryan and Kelsey, Mila, Owen and baby Dean Damjanovich, Brent and Melissa, Mason, Ian and McKenna McLeod, Sarah (McLeod) and Frank Lipari; his sister and brother-in-law, Tracy (Damjanovich) Barlow and Michael Barlow, along with their children and grandchildren, John and Candace Barlow, Yardley and Vali and Tyr Nivens, Wyatt and Shae Daigneau, Charlene Barlow, Beau Daigneau, and Teddy Barlow; stepbrother, Rusty Lamar; along with close cousin and wife, Carl and Lisa Openshaw with their children, Auston and McKenzie Openshaw, Zach Scarlett, Preston Openshaw and Dayne Openshaw; and wonderful and loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

His memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at Faith E Church, 3145 Sweet Water Drive, Billings, MT 59102. Lunch to follow at Faith E. Interment to follow at the Pleasant View Cemetery in Ballentine.

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to Corbin’s church family that he loved: Gracepoint Church, PO Box 50759, Billings, MT 59105, 406-318-7731.

Corbin was also excited for a future mission trip with Bird of Pray Foundation, PO Box 7068, Billings, MT 59103, 406-839-2999.