Gary Borland

Gary O. Borland was born September 12, 1940, the fourth child of Harry C. and Minnie Borland. Gary attended all his grades in the Absarokee School System, graduating high school in 1958. He loved to play basketball and baseball and excelled in both sports. After high school, Gary worked in the family business, the Cobblestone Garage, after fulfilling his military obligation.  Gary married his high school sweetheart, Clara Oltrogge, in June of 1959, and in their 66 years of marriage, exploring many business opportunities, including the Cobblestone Garage, Borland Distributing, Cowboy Bar and Supper Club, Crow Chief Meadows and Cloud Nine Quilts. In their spare time, they enjoyed family camping and fishing trips, 7 cruises and a trip to Scotland and Ireland, plus many, many trips to Canada for family events. In 1996, they built their log home on the Stillwater, where Gary passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. 

Gary’s family, his wife Clara, his oldest daughter, Marci Lorraine Matthews (Rob) of Bragg Creek, Alberta, his son Gary Michael Borland (Shelley) of Enumclaw, Washington, his son Kevin Eugene Borland, who died September 16, 1970, his youngest daughter Mary Elizabeth Sibbald (David) of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  Six grandchildren, Amanda Fileccia (Noah), Laura Clarke (Justin), Paydn Borland (Laura), Danika Borland, Dylan Sibbald (Karissa) and Adam Sibbald, seven great-grandchildren, Holt, Revington and Sutton, Wilder and Sawyer, Laina and Hayes. 

Gary had a passion for watching and supporting his kids, basketball, baseball, track and rodeo. Then to watch his grandkids' activities, 4-H, hockey, lacrosse, football and baseball. He was more than a “Papa”, he was their biggest fan and supporter. It was a true joy in his life to watch his kids and grandkids.  Gary had many lifelong friends, including high school friends, Butch Schottle and Jack Weikel, who were involved in many of the life adventures.  Gary served his community as Fire Chief in the late 60’s of the Absarokee Fire Dept. One year out of 54 ambulance calls, he was on 50 of them. Gary served as Commander of the VFW Post 7311 Absarokee for 4 years, and he was a proud member of the Honour Guard since 2012, with his last “shoot” being this past Memorial Day at the Rosebud Cemetery. One of his proudest moments was working on the naming of the “David Thatcher” Highway. He felt very strongly about that project and was very proud upon its completion. He spent 5 years in Law Enforcement in Anchorage, Alaska and Stillwater County. He was a lifelong member of St Michael’s Catholic Church in Absarokee. Gary went into the US Army Reserve in 1957 for an eight-year obligation in that time, he was called up for the Berlin Crisis in 1961, receiving his honourable discharge in 1965. Gary was a 50-plus-year member of the BPOE and a member of the American Legion.

His many passions and loves included fishing trips to Alaska, Fort Peck Reservoir and Tongue River Reservoir. Numerous hunting trips for Big Game. He had active trap lines every winter, and he would take his family whenever possible to be a part of the adventures. He was a proud stockholder in the Green Bay Packers organization and a lifelong passionate fan. We found the 2025 Packers schedule carefully folded and put in the back of his bible. 

Gary will always be remembered for his wonderful sense of humour, his loving ways with his kids and grandkids, and his “bear hugs” for his friends and family. He was a good man with a loving heart; he truly cared how you were doing.  Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Minnie Borland, his brother Harry Keith, his sister Mary Lorraine, brother Harry Duane and his son, Kevin Eugene. 

A joyful celebration of Gary’s life is planned for Friday, September 12, 2025, 7:00 pm (Gary’s 85th Birthday), St Michael’s Catholic Church, Absarokee, Montana.  Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 11:00 at St Michael’s Catholic Church, Absarokee, Montana, with a luncheon to follow.  Graveside services with Military Honours will be held at the Nye Cemetery at 1:30 pm. 

A special heartfelt thank you needs to be extended to the caring people at Stillwater Billings Clinic, Beartooth Manor and Stillwater Hospice. Although difficult, you made his last days on this earth as comfortable as possible, and we thank you for your caring, respectful, loving ways. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Julia Eggen fund at St Michael’s Catholic Church, P.O. Box 956, Absarokee, Montana 59001 or the Absarokee Swimming Pool, (donations to: Beartooth Parks & Rec., P.O. Box 358, Absarokee, MT, 59001, payable to Absarokee Swimming Pool.)