More detail on this person: Joseph Julian Stekly PORT HADLOCK, Wash. - Former Great Falls resident Joseph Julian Stekly, 63, Port Hadlock, Wash., an Army veteran and pilot, died of a heart attack March 30 at his home. His memorial service will take place this summer. Kosec Funeral Home in Port Townsend, Wash., is handling arrangements. Joseph was born in Great Falls on April 20, 1945, to Wilma D. "Billie" and Joseph T. Stekly. He passed away March 30, 2009, at his residence in Port Hadlock. Joe attended schools in Great Falls and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1963. He joined the Army after graduation with his first tour taking him to Germany. In 1964, Joe married Judy Blomquist. They had two children, Tracy Jo and Derek. After being discharged from the Army, Joe attended Montana State University and received a degree in history in 1969. Joe also attended and graduated from the Colorado Institute of Art in Denver in 1986. Joe's military service continued in 1970 when he re-enlisted in the Army and became certified in both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. Joe flew helicopters during one tour in Vietnam and retired from the service as a lieutenant colonel and master aviator in 1984. Following his retirement from the service, Joe continued his love for flying when he became chief pilot and line pilot for Alpine Air Freight based out of Denver. He also flew for Combs Freightair. Joe married Martie Dawkins, in 1988 and with that union gained two sons, Graham and Matt. Survivors include his mother, Wilma D. "Billie" Stekly of Missoula; his son Derek and wife Jolie and their two children, Madison and Skylar; grandson Samuel Joseph, all of Port Townsend; brothers Randy (Roxanne) of Missoula, Jeff (Terry) of Doha, Qatar, and Scott of Great Falls; as well as Martie, Graham and Matt Dawkins and their families. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Tracy Jo Stekly; father, Joseph Thomas Stekly; grandparents Archie and Diana Gardiner, and Joseph and Susanne Stekly. Most of Joe's life was spent away from Montana but he always enjoyed returning for vacations and visits. His love for the state's beauty always remained in his heart as did the Mighty Bison and the Fighting Bobcats. He was a big man with a big heart and his great sense of humor will be missed by all. A memorial service is planned this summer to celebrate the life of this wonderful man, son, brother, father and husband. At that time his ashes will be distributed into the big skies of Montana, the state he loved so much.
Burial information: Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Missoula, MT
This information was last updated 08/31/2020
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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