David “Red” Piper

Samuel David Piper died on January 29, 2018 due to complications from triple bypass surgery. David was born in Lexington, Nebraska on December 26, 1930 to Roy David Piper and Ruth Knauss Piper. His father died when he was four years old on the day they moved to Irwin, Iowa. David and his sister Marilyn were raised by their mother who worked as a telephone operator. David graduated from a business school in Omaha and worked there until he joined the Navy in 1951. He was stationed in San Diego and made his way to the far east on the aircraft carrier USS Wasp during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1955, and worked in Omaha where he met Shirley Olson. He moved to Harlowton, Montana in 1956 to operate a variety store for his uncle. Shirley followed him to Montana, got a job at the Continental National Bank, and they were married in Roundup on January 12, 1957. When she was expecting their first child, Shirley left the bank and told "Red" that he should apply there as a teller. After getting the job, he worked his way to Assistant Cashier, Cashier, and President. He retired in 1992 and then "Red" and Shirley moved to Billings. Anyone who knew David knew how much family meant to him. He was also a dog lover and ran a doggie daycare out of his home for many years for his granddogs. He loved all sports, and if he knew you, he would keep up with all of the sports you, or your relatives, were involved in. You saw him at a lot of basketball games through the years, but he also loved horseracing, rodeo, the North Carolina Tarheels, the Denver Broncos, the Colorado Rockies, golf, car racing, soccer, etc. David was preceded in death by both parents and his sister. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of 61 years, daughter Beth, son Blake David (Kim), and grandchildren Jordan David and Allison. Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held at 1 pm, Saturday, February 10th at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Avenue. Interment will follow at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park, 3605 Grand Avenue. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Meals on Wheels program, the American Cancer Society, or Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter.