Donald K. Tryan

[gn_spacer size=”20″] [gn_heading style=”1″]Donald K. Tryan[/gn_heading] [frame src=”https://michelottisawyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/tn_Tryan-2.jpg” width=”100″ height=”” lightbox=”on” title=”Donald Tryan” align=”left” ]

[frame src=”https://michelottisawyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/tn_Tryan-1.jpg” width=”100″ height=”” lightbox=”on” title=”Donald Tryan” align=”left” ]

Donald K. Tryan, 81, of Billings, passed away Friday, December 19, 2008 at his home. Don was born September 23, 1927 in Flaxville, Montana, the son of the late George and Emma Tryan. With two sisters he was raised on the family farm south of Flaxville. On April 18, 1948 he married Phyllis Belisle and they just recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Together, they made their home on the farm south of Flaxville where they raised 5 children, wheat, barley, large gardens, animals, and were always involved in community events. In 1987 they moved to Helena and to Billings in 1993.

Don had a passion for music and at the young age of 10 was a member of the Flaxville Drum and Bugle Corp. He served in the U.S. Army and was a member of the Army Drum and Bugle Corp. Many will remember Don, who for years played a mean trumpet with Art and Helen Christiansen, the "Sylvan White Trio" and the "White Aces" playing for dances in northeastern Montana, mostly at the Blue Moon Night Club in Plentywood. He played for his first dance at age 13 at Silver Star accompanied on the piano by his mother and made $2.

He never missed an opportunity in his younger years to play baseball and played on teams in the Mineral Bench community, Flaxville, and Scobey. He later went on to coach Little League, Babe Ruth, and Legion Baseball as each of his three sons played. Donnie was also selected to coach a Babe Ruth All Star Team at the Babe Ruth World Series.

To Don, family was everything. He loved being involved with all of his kid's activities and in most recent years with Phyllis by his side attended many of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren's events including all sporting events (sometimes 4 in one day!), drama and music performances. He did a lot of camping and fishing with the kids around the state and his favorite fishing hole was at "Big Tree" at the Poplar River.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years Phyllis, his daughter and son-in-law Debbie and Steve Herndon of Boise, Idaho, three sons and their wives, Dan and Bobbie, Gordon and Wednesday, all of Billings, and Mike and Liz of Helena; his sister and her husband Tom and Darlene Henderson of Billings, 15 grandchildren Tina Tryan, Tanya (Kelly) Martin, and Danica (Frankie) Marullo, Joshua, Amanda, Alyssa, and Matthew Tryan, Courtney (Jason) Baker and Tanner Heick all of Bilings, Steffanie (Wade) Goldy of Park City, R.J. (Dara) Heick, of Helena, Kaycee Murray of Boise, ID, Lacey and Kelsey Tryan of Bozeman, Michael Tryan, of Fort Collins, CO and 16 great grandchildren. Donnie was preceded in death by two infant children, Georgia Gayle and Donald, Jr., his daughter Janie, his parents, his sister Jean Evenson, and an infant grandson, Scott Murray.

A celebration of Donnie's life and memorial mass will be held Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 1pm at Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 2055 Woody Drive, off Colton Blvd. Cremation has taken place and burial will take place at a later date in the Flaxville Cemetery. The family wishes to thank Rocky Mountain Hospice for the kind and compassionate care they provided during Don's courageous battle with lung cancer and the family requests that memorials may be sent to Rocky Mountain Hospice.

It was nice knowing you Don and, it won’t be as much fun at the auctions without you’re selling us our hot dogs and popcorn. May you rest in peace. God Bless. Pete and Kay Hansen

We’ll miss you Grandpa! Merry Christmas in heaven!

A wonderful man who always treated me like family. Don you will be greatly missed. God Bless you. Mike and Presley

Mikey & Family; Sending big hugs! I have fond memories of your Dad being such a supporter of the Flaxville Cardinals. He was a stand up guy & I was sorry to hear of his passing. Over Thanksgiving I was visiting with Grandma Veronica who shared many stories of her & your dad as they were classmates. Take Special Care, Melissa Cromwell

Dearest Auntie Phyllis, I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Donnie. We are thinking of you and holding you in our hearts. Debbie, Danny, Gordie and Mike, your dad was a very special man and will be greatly missed. Much love, Mike & Rosemary Drinkall