Gary Brockel
March 27, 1946 - March 15, 2022
Obituary
Gary Allen Brockel was born in Baker, Montana on March 27, 1946. He passed away from Multiple Myeloma on March 15, 2022, in his daughter's home. His two daughters and granddaughter enjoyed taking care of him in his last days. He was the youngest of six children born to Fred and Bertha Brockel. At a young age, his ranch job was to gather the milk cows. His real love was all about baseball, he had memorized every statistic on all the great players. When Gary was in the 7th grade he had a huge collection of baseball cards that disappeared when they moved from Baker to Billings. He was glad when his parents purchased a house on Avenue D that had a basketball court across the street. He made many lifelong friends that summer. He graduated from West High in 1965 and was a devoted fan of their sports teams (GO BEARS!). After high school, Gary enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country in Vietnam on a destroyer, the U.S.S. Preston. After his service to his beloved country, he enrolled at EMC (now MSUB) and worked construction at the Yellowtail Dam and Beartooth Highway during the summers.
In 1969 Gary met his soulmate, Patti Hagen. They were married on October 18, 1969. They were proud parents of two daughters: Jodi (Larry) Green and Jaci Brockel. In 1971 they purchased the A&W Downtowner and sold this venture in 1977. June 1st of 1978, they became the owners of Wilcoxson's Candy from Livingston, MT, and changed the name to Brockel's Chocolates when the business moved back to Billings. A new love affair began with his admiration of anything and everything chocolate. He enjoyed all the chocolate technology courses he was able to attend. He remained involved in his chocolate factory until his passing. He always remarked he was so blessed to embark on a career he so dearly loved. In his later years, he enjoyed handing out samples of candy to his customers.
When his great-granddaughter Avery was born in 2020 he was overjoyed to have a buddy that would sit in front of the store with him and greet people on the sidewalks. They spent many afternoons enjoying snacks and babbling in the sun.
Gary is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patti; daughters: Jodi (Larry) Green and Jaci Brockel; brothers: Duane, Leo (Colleen) Brockel; brother-in-law Chuck Hagan; sisters-in-law: Connie (Ken) Gress, Jennifer Cross, Marsha Kelleher; grandchildren: Savannah, Ryan, Rilee, and Leighton Green; great-granddaughter Avery; and his grand-dog Annie that brought him much comfort and companionship in his last days. He is also survived by and was so proud of his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He loved each of you!
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Bertha Brockel; sisters: Arla (Emil) Opp, Jorcelene (Manuel) Lang, Janice Brockel; sisters-in-law: Della Brockel, Tammy Hagan; his mother and father-in-law Arthur and Marie Hagen; brothers-in-law Huck Cross and Danny Kelleher.
Services will be held at St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, with burial at Terrace Garden, and luncheon at the Elks to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gary's name to the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter, VFW, or Shriners Hospital for Children.
In 1969 Gary met his soulmate, Patti Hagen. They were married on October 18, 1969. They were proud parents of two daughters: Jodi (Larry) Green and Jaci Brockel. In 1971 they purchased the A&W Downtowner and sold this venture in 1977. June 1st of 1978, they became the owners of Wilcoxson's Candy from Livingston, MT, and changed the name to Brockel's Chocolates when the business moved back to Billings. A new love affair began with his admiration of anything and everything chocolate. He enjoyed all the chocolate technology courses he was able to attend. He remained involved in his chocolate factory until his passing. He always remarked he was so blessed to embark on a career he so dearly loved. In his later years, he enjoyed handing out samples of candy to his customers.
When his great-granddaughter Avery was born in 2020 he was overjoyed to have a buddy that would sit in front of the store with him and greet people on the sidewalks. They spent many afternoons enjoying snacks and babbling in the sun.
Gary is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patti; daughters: Jodi (Larry) Green and Jaci Brockel; brothers: Duane, Leo (Colleen) Brockel; brother-in-law Chuck Hagan; sisters-in-law: Connie (Ken) Gress, Jennifer Cross, Marsha Kelleher; grandchildren: Savannah, Ryan, Rilee, and Leighton Green; great-granddaughter Avery; and his grand-dog Annie that brought him much comfort and companionship in his last days. He is also survived by and was so proud of his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He loved each of you!
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Bertha Brockel; sisters: Arla (Emil) Opp, Jorcelene (Manuel) Lang, Janice Brockel; sisters-in-law: Della Brockel, Tammy Hagan; his mother and father-in-law Arthur and Marie Hagen; brothers-in-law Huck Cross and Danny Kelleher.
Services will be held at St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, with burial at Terrace Garden, and luncheon at the Elks to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gary's name to the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter, VFW, or Shriners Hospital for Children.
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Memories
AJ
Anette Karls Job
Other •
Jaci and family, I’m so sorry for your loss! Gary was always such a joy to visit with dating back to when they had a shop in the old Penney’s building. Love and hugs to you. Thank you for carrying the Brockels Chocolates torch. We love you!
HK
Harold Kelso
Other •
Gary and Patti were customers of mine, while I was with the Gazette that became good friends. West High basketball games at home and some out-of-town. I still remember the look on his face when I told him that he finally won a contest with me. What Contest he asked. I said THE WIDE PART IN OUR HAIR CONTEST. He was loosing mair faster than I was. That Christmas, he put a portable sign board outside their 24th. St. West store that said, "ALL HAROLD KELSO WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS IS A NEW WIG". He had a good sense of humor. Rest in Peace old friend. Harold and Marj Kelso
CH
Charles and Cora Hicks
Other •
Because we care, our heartfelt thoughts go out to you today. With more concern and sympathy than Cora and I could express. Hugs to you all.
CH
Charles Hicks
Other •
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 As I write this I am in mourning for the loss of my good and true friend, Gary. We met in Junior High and have remained fast friends for the past nearly 60 years. When he suffered the loss of both parents my folks adopted him as part of our extended family. We shared many adventures until he left for the Navy and I for the Air Force. I would always get a call from him every Veterans Day thanking me for my service. We would connect every so often whenever I was in Billings on leave and then annually for the past several years. Throughout all of these times we never forgot each other and had long discussions about family, friends and the general nature of things. I was always proud to claim Gary as a friend and brother. Throughout his years battling cancer, he never had a discouraging word and always saw the good in all people. Last year we were able to enjoy a dinner with Gary and his family and that is the memory I want to keep of him as I work through the grief of his loss. My special condolences to Patti, Jacki and Jody as well as their families as they move forward knowing that they were blessed to share their life with such a loving, caring and gentle man. May God bless them all and strengthen them as they mourn the loss of Gary.
CC
Cathy Conaway
Other •
Happy Trails my friend.
JM
Jenny Moodie
Other •
My mom, Fran Oland, worked for Gary at Brockel's Chocolates for 10+ years. When I became old enough I worked in the basement boxing Valentine's boxes. From the time I can remember he called me "Jenny O from Po" since my maiden name was Oland, so it was short for "Jenny Oland from Poland". Every time I came in the store, he would smile and say, "Well if it isn't Jenny O from Po". I loved Gary, he was a great guy. Sending love and prayers to your family. I can just see my mom and Gary up in heaven giving each other a bad time.