Montie Shane Reynolds, 50, died Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in a motorcycle accident near Kalispell.
He began this beautiful fall day like most Sundays. After he and his longtime best friend and brother-in-law Lance Streeter had breakfast, Montie walked to the 8:30 a.m. service at Faith Covenant Presbyterian Church. He meticulously mowed his lawn and visited with family and friends at his picnic table before taking a ride on his Harley to his favorite restaurant.
Montie was on his way home when tragedy struck. We lost a beloved son, brother, uncle and friend that night.
Born June 27, 1965, to Bill and Linda Reynolds of Republic, Wash., he graduated from Republic High School in 1983. Montie and Taja Walker were married Dec. 31, 1988, at Lake Tahoe, Nev. They divorced after 13 years of marriage.
After graduation, Montie went to work in the woods for Somday Logging Company in Republic. He attended Spokane Falls Community College and then moved to Winnemucca, Nev., where he worked in a gold mine for 13 years. In 1999, he moved to Montana to be closer to family. He worked for the city of Kalispell in the Traffic Signs and Signals Department for more than 15 years.
Montie was blessed with the gift of hospitality, and his little house was a popular gathering place for many. He was always quick to offer his guests fresh-roasted coffee or the finest beer on tap, along with a slice of fresh baked raspberry pie. He carried on the family tradition of making waffles, using sourdough that was started years ago by his grandma Fern.
He had an extensive music collection and enjoyed attending concerts. Over the years, Montie traveled to Hawaii, the Caribbean Islands and New Zealand, and he enjoyed going to his dad’s house in Ferry County. One of the best trips of his life was earlier this summer when he drove his restored 1969 Chevrolet pickup-truck to Republic with his dog riding shotgun. He and his father visited all of his favorite childhood places, from Lambert Creek to Swan Lake.
Montie was a perfectionist, who paid attention to detail and worked tirelessly at whatever task he tackled. His long list of hobbies included cooking, woodworking, hiking, trap shooting and gardening. Much to the delight of his guests, he had a cotton candy machine, commercial coffee maker and prime rib oven. He had a taste for the finer things in life and never settled for second best.
He was a talented go-to guy if you ever needed something mechanical figured out or help with a project. He was always willing to lend a hand to those in need. Making people happy brought him great joy and his smile lit up the room.
Montie had many friends and family members who loved him. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bill and Fern Reynolds, and mother, Linda Reynolds.
In addition to his father, Bill, and stepmother Patty Reynolds, he is survived by sisters, Kerri Sandaine of Clarkston, and Nikki Streeter and Heidi Reynolds, both of Kalispell, along with his brother-in-laws, Lance Streeter and Rob Sandaine. Montie is also survived by Bob the bulldog, nephews and nieces, Shara-lee Schaefer of Salem, Ore., Dustin Sandaine of Hawaii, Emma Sandaine of Clarkston, Ariane Waller and Natalie Streeter of Kalispell, Cheyenne Cook of Missoula, and Valerie and Scott Cook of Kalispell. His great nephews and niece are Sam and Georgia Schaefer, Carter Waller and Jack Jankovich.
A memorial service will be held Oct. 17 at 11:oo a.m at Faith Covenant Presbyterian Church in Kalispell. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.