Douglas Anthony Garfield, age 54, beloved son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew and friend, went to be with the Lord on May 4, 2008 at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, MT. Douglas was born to Daniel and Agnes Garfield on October 5, 1953 in Poplar, MT. One of twelve children (six boys and six girls), Doug was the youngest son. He will be remembered for his generosity, kind heart and great sense of humor.
Doug was raised and attended school in Wolf Point, MT. From a short union with Mary Campbell, a son named Douglas Harvey was born. Doug married Dawn Johnson on June 21, 1975 and they spent 27 years together. Doug and Dawn had two daughters, Vanessa and Shaylene, and together also raised their son, Doug. Douglas’ parents instilled strong family values in him from the time that he was young, and he took great joy in all of the time that he got to spend with his loved ones.
Doug’s mother taught him how to play guitar at a young age, and his love of music stayed with him to the end. He was a very talented musician and was a member of many bands throughout his lifetime, including Rare Breed, which was a band that he had with his brothers, Vance and Leon, as well as the ever-popular Tucson Ned, and Cool Breeze. We know that he will be playing music up in heaven. Doug also enjoyed hunting and fishing, like most of his brothers, nephews, and cousins. With the Garfield boys, there was always a bit of competition about who could catch the biggest walleye, the biggest buck, or the biggest bull elk. Doug loved to participate in this competition with his relatives.
Doug was employed by Hamblin Electric in the late 1970’s, then began working for Montana Dakota Utilities where he continued as an employee until 1995.
Douglas was preceded in death by his father, Daniel Garfield. He is survived by his mother, Agnes Garfield of Wolf Point; children Doug Garfield of Great Falls, MT, Vanessa (John) Nasset of Unalakleet, AK, and Shaylene (Jason) Alvstad of Wolf Point; eight grandchildren with another on the way; brothers and sisters, Dan (Dixie) Garfield of Shepherd, MT, Joan Small of Wolf Point, Cleo Shumway of Nevada, Larry (Shenna) Garfield of Wolf Point, Cecelia (Hyram) Peters of Billings, Vance (Clairanne) Garfield of Kansas, Chuck (Janice) Garfield, Leon (Ruth) Garfield, Nancy (Randy) Nordwick, Marshelle (Maurice) Lambert and Desiree Garfield, all of Wolf Point; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be held at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point on Wednesday, May 7 from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service starting at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, May 8 at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, Wolf Point. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
Condolences to the family may be sent to www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.