John Greytak
March 18, 1930 - January 30, 2019
Obituary
John J. Greytak passed away January 30, 2019 in Billings, Montana. He was born on March 18, 1930 in Havre, Montana. He was a graduate of Great Falls High and Montana State University. From an early age John was fascinated with how things worked and how to make money. From the age of 11 until his alleged retirement at 84 John worked everyday. John started his first business while in high school. New car production was halted during WWII. Sensing opportunity, John began selling auto accessories out of his parents' basement. Malstrom-based airmen were keen to modify their old cars and business boomed. John's lifelong love of entrepreneurship was established. After graduating from Great Falls High in 1948, John joined the Montana Air National Guard working as a mechanic on F-15 fighter jets in the 186th Fighter Squadron. During this time John met the love of his life Geraldine (Jerry) Mikeson. John's unit was activated to Georgia in 1951 during the Korean Conflict. Jerry took the train from Great Falls to Valdosta, Georgia where they eloped. John attended Montana State University on the GI Bill, graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation John and Jerry moved the family to Wilmington, Delaware where John took a job with DuPont. John's ambitions did not mix with the slow pace of corporate life. John left DuPont to open several car dealerships. In 1968 John moved his family back to Great Falls to start Continental Datsun Volvo and to develop real estate and farmland on a vast commercial scale. This led him to open the Billings Grain Terminal to market the grain he was growing in the surrounding areas. In the 1990's John moved to Sebring, Florida to develop retirement communities. In his alleged retirement John continued to purchase and sell commercial property. John approached life with a rare combination of ambition and pragmatism. His convictions were best captured by his favorite adage “There are three kinds of people in this world: the dreamers who dream about doing things, the complainers who complain about the things being done, and the doers who get things done.” John was most certainly a Doer. He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Jerry, parents, Jack and Genevieve Greytak, sister Carolyn and brother-in-law Harold Philips of Conrad, MT. John is survived by his brother Dave (Rose) Greytak of Centreville, MD; children: Mike (Jinying) Greytak of Bellevue, WA, Pat (Tracey) Greytak of Missoula, MT, Chris (Mike) Schmechel of Billings, John Greytak of Missoula; grandchildren: Harley Greytak, Matt Schmechel (Angie), Joe Schmechel (Sarah), Ty Schmechel (Jill), Lindsey Greytak, Jordan Greytak, and Hollie Greytak. John leaves behind a very dear and special friend, Jan Kreulen, of Sebring, FL and many wonderful co-workers and partners in Montana and Florida. The family would like to single out the warmhearted staff of Fischer Cottage on the St. John's Lutheran Ministries Campus for the compassionate care they provided John. The family is planning a summer celebration of John's life for family and friends at the family cabin on Flathead Lake. Memorials may be made to charities of choice. Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel and memories may be shared at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com
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Memories
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John Devlin
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My wife Leah and I were "Trailblazers", spending 16 winters at Tanglewood in Sebring where we came to know John. He was a very astute businessman, but he was also fair and compassionate. He will be missed by many. John Devlin
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Emily
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I am very sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you in this difficult time. I hope you may find comfort at Revelation 21:4, “And he (God) will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” We can look forward to the time when God will take away all reasons for distress and he even gives us a hope of a resurrection. (Acts 24:15) I hope this promise brings you comfort as it does me.
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Gary Love
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Greytak Family: I was John's loan officer with Montana Livedtock PCA from 1976 to 1979. I toured all of the properties with him from the Kingsbury unit to the John Scott property on the Powder River and everything in between. He always treated me with the utmost respect even though I was in my mid twenties. He was an honest and fun man. He actually offered me a job as his financial person when he became involved with Billings he grain elevators. My condolences to you all. Gary Love
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JAMES GREYTAK
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I am Jojhn's 2nd cousin. It has been several years since I've seen him.. He was 2 years older than I -we both attended Great Falls High School in the late 1940's and occasionally our paths would cross in later years. For his family may the God of the sorrowing comfort your hearts, the love you shared,and the memory of the good times shared help sustain in this time of loss and grief. JAMES GREYTAK, Helena, MT
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Patrick H. Hotchkiss
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I am very sad to hear of John's passing. I became a friend of his when I moved into Tanglewood. (The 55 and over community)16 years ago that I watched him build. He was very insightful and caring man. He made this place a most beautiful place to spend my winter months in for the past 17 years. He had a great sense of humor and let me develop a humorous slide presentation about how the park was built and the fun we had with john at our monthly meeting. He will be missed by many. God Bless you John! Your Pal Patrick Hotchkiss
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Richard and Frances Kraemer
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We are so very sorry to hear of the passing of John. He was a great man and worked hard to make things right with everyone he dealt with. Thinking back to 1990 when he took over Buttonwood Bay and he helped us start a new place off Skipper RD. right beside his son's home. John was so accommodating and helpful in getting our place ready in a short time. He was living just a few doors from us at that time on Whippoorwill so he was on sight a lot to make sure all was on schedule. Even got invited to have drinks with him and Jerry. He was a very special Man with great respect for all his clients. Thanks to you John for our past 29 years in Buttonwood. May you rest in peace. The Kraemers.