Gary Dean Prideaux

Gary Dean Prideaux went to be with his Father in Heaven on Friday, November 24, 2017, after living a life of serving others for the majority of his 55 years. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, Dec. 4, 2017 at the Faith Center, 4700 10th Avenue South. A reception will follow at the Elks Club. Arrangements are in the care of O’Connor Funeral Home. Gary was welcomed into the world February 23, 1962 in Omaha, NE by his parents Ray and Marlys Prideaux. He grew up in Elkhorn, graduating from Elkhorn High School in 1980. He enlisted in the Air Force and began his military career shortly thereafter in January 15, 1981. His first tour was in Crete, Greece.As a young boy he had told his parents he was going to live in Montana someday so it was no surprise when he requested Malmstrom as his next duty station.Gary chose to leave the Air Force and changed his career path to the Montana Air National Guard, proudly and honorably serving his country full time for the remainder of his career. He retired as Chief Master Sergeant October of 2013. He took a year off and then was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of being a camp cook in the Bob Marshall Wilderness for a season with Mills Outfitters. Afterwards he worked as a security guard with Securitas and then as a cook at the Grandview and later at the Rocky Mountain Treatment center. He worked as a bottler for Culligans at the time of his passing. Gary married Evelyn (Lynn) Hilton in 1983. They had two beautiful children together, Breanna and Gregory. They did later divorce in 1995. He met Deanne Brown on a blind date in Feb of 2004 and later her three boys. They married Aug 13th 2005. Gary loved wrestling and won many matches during his school years, but his greatest love was for the outdoors. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and always the camp cook on every camping trip he made. As a man with a servant’s heart, he volunteered his time, gifts and abilities as a Boy Scout Leader, wrestling coach and Big Brother. He took Erik Stober under his wing when he was 6 years old. Gary and Erik became hunting and fishing partners and lifelong friends. Gary was very active in and served in numerous capacities at the Faith Center Church. He loved being the “hands and feet” of Jesus. He started the PTSD ministry along with his wife and he loved heading downtown every Friday evening with HopeWorx to serve and love on the homeless. He also volunteered in the kitchen and as a mentor at the Great Falls Rescue Mission. Gary is preceded in death by his dad, Ray Charles Prideaux and brother, Gregory. He leaves behind his wife, Deanne, daughter Breanna (Chris) Lum and granddaughter Ellie Sophia, whom Gary was anxious to meet, will be welcomed into this world in the next few weeks, sons Gregory,Sean (Charmaine) Engum all of Great Falls, Aaron Frank of San Diego, and Chad (Jolene) Engum and their eight children, Shetland Islands. He also leaves behind his mother, Marlys, sisters Laurie (Doug) Hays, Janice (Dave) Merritt and brother, Ron (Lisa) and nephews and niecesall of Omaha, NE and “little brother” Erik (Lexi) Stober of Great Falls. Gary will be greatly missed by his family, numerous friends and all those whose life he touched with his kind heart and unforgettable laugh. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Faith Center Church, HopeWorx c/o Faith Center, the Great Falls Rescue Mission or to Deanne Prideaux for the family.