Harry Alan Cuff

Harry Cuff passed peacefully at his Billings home on July 22, 2016. He was born in Portage, Wis., on Dec. 20, 1944, to Willis and June (Rampson) Cuff. He was the youngest with two older sisters, Lois and Rita. He savored his childhood with a wonderful family, close friends, special classmates, and his beloved family cottage on Swan Lake.

Graduating from Portage High in 1963, he was the president of his class. He graduated from New York University in accounting, obtained CPA certification and began a career in public accounting in 1967. His career was interrupted by the Vietnam War, and he served in the U.S. Army Military Police Corp from 1968 to 1970 in Germany. He returned to NYC until transferring to the Minneapolis office. In 1975, he was hired by Kampgrounds of America, Inc. as a controller, and retired in 2005 as CFO and treasurer. The KOA staff and his years there meant a great deal to Harry.

Harry attended his 10-year high school reunion and a K-12 friendship was rekindled with Judy De Jong. In October 1976, the son of a beer distributer and the daughter of a minister were married with six kindergarten classmates included in the wedding party and their teacher also attended! Amanda "Mandy" Jo arrived in 1977 and Kate "Katie" Elizabeth in 1979. They, plus a black lab always, completed the family.

Harry had a deep faith, loved his family and felt called to serve his church and community. He served as church elder and treasurer, was on the Boards of the BAC Swim Team, Alberta Bair Theater, Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Rocky Mountain College, was instrumental in the beginnings of the State Games, and was a founding member and treasurer of Special K Ranch. In family life, Harry found his true calling and was an unbelievable father and husband. He was his daughters' best friend, supported them in all their activities, timed umpteen swim meets, participated in church youth and school functions and showered his love on them. He was honest, kind, loving, humorous, caring, but not particularly handy, and duct tape was his tool of choice. He loved their cabin on the Stillwater and the quality family time spent there. He was an avid fly fisherman and could spend hours on the river.

Harry was predeceased by his parents, Willis and June; Judy's parents, Rev. Lloyd and Bernice De Jong; brother-in-law Jerry De Jong; and a number of aunts, uncles, and other family members. He is survived by his wife, Judy; his daughters, Mandy Bronson (Danny) and Katie Sulpizio (Scott); his six grandsons, Zeke, Theo, Jonah, Samuel and Moses Bronson, and Ryan Sulpizio; his beautiful granddaughter, Morgan Sulpizio; sisters Rita Meisner (Bob) and Lois James (Don James); his ever-present lab, Sadie; Judy's sisters and brother, Joann Hellberg (Chuck), Jane Dewey (Tom), Jim (Patty) De Jong and a special group of nieces, nephews and other extended family.

Thank you to all who supported and loved Harry, especially the buddies who spent time with him the last few years when Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) reared its ugly head. Diabetes was his shadow for 37 years, but Harry lived a full life, although much too short. He will be missed more than anyone can imagine, but he is at peace and we will treasure the memories of his sense of humor, Papa-isms and words of wisdom. He will be loved forever.

A memorial service and reception will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at First Presbyterian Church, 2420 13th St. West.

We are humbled and eternally thankful for the memorials that brought Mandy and her family home from Chad, Africa, to say goodbye. We are indebted to Dr. Jim Knostman, Dr. Karen Cabell, Jan Hollingworth, RN, CDE, and Rocky Mountain Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church, Special K Ranch or the charity of your choice.