Dan Gard, age 71, passed away in a tragic fishing accident on June 20, 2024, in Craig,

Montana.

Dan was born in Noth Platte, NE in 1952 to Bud and Belle Gard. He was an "Air Force

Brat" who lived on remote radar bases in Anchorage, Alaska; Lewistown, Montana; and

Lakeside, Montana. His younger brothers, Tim and Robbin who looked up to him as

"Bubba," joined the family in 1954 and 1963. Dan attended both small schools with

multiple classes in one room and larger schools in Colorado Springs and Denver,

Colorado. When his father retired in Montana, the Gard family stayed in the Flathead

Valley for many years.

Dan graduated from Flathead High School in 1971 and served in the US Navy from

1972 to 1976 as helicopter mechanic and air rescue. He was stationed at NAS Alameda

until his honorable discharge. After the Navy, he worked in places with exotic names

like "Iran" and "Wichita" before finding his true calling of serving veterans at the VA

Hospital in Fort Harrison, where he worked for over 40 years until his retirement.

Dan loved music and played guitar and bass guitar in various local bands in Denver,

Colorado, and Kalispell, Montana. He played in bands like The Tides of Time and he did

a short stint with Mission Mountain Wood Band. His love for music lasted his entire life,

and his collection of rock music is second to none. Although he abandoned his dream of

making it big in a band, he never lost his love of good music. His all-time favorite band

was The Beatles, and his celebrity crush was and will always be Christine McVie. The

family hopes you will think of Dan whenever you hear their music.

Known on the River as "Dangerous", Dan was a fishing guide and outfitter for many

years, introducing countless people to the joys of fly fishing. He spent many days on the

river guiding for families and celebrities. He developed specialty flies that no one else

tied. If you want to learn the art of tying a Bubba Phat Ant or Mirage Nymph, you can

find it on YouTube. When you reel in a big rainbow, think of and thank Dan.

Dan loved target shooting in the back yard and was a highly successful hunter in his

younger years. His love of fishing and twisting up flies were his main driving force

throughout his adult life, surpassed only by his love for Cindy, his long-term partner.

Dan lived most of his life in Montana, where fish loved his flies, and gophers feared his

gun. He didn't want to travel beyond the state, often saying he had everything he

needed right there.

Dan had a dry wit, an infectious laugh, and was quick to smile. He loved to share

laughter with others but didn't suffer fools gladly. He had several sayings that were

unique to him, such as, "It is what it is" and "Let me be perfectly Dan about this". He was

always quick to share his expert driving knowledge with anyone who seemed incapable

of understanding how a four-way stop works. He will be deeply missed by many except

bad drivers everywhere.

Dan is survived by his partner Cindy Paradis, his mother Viola Belle Gard, his two sons,

Brian and Brandon, his brothers Tim (Sophia) and Robbin (Callie), and his

grandchildren Madysin, Justice, and Aizlynn. He also leaves behind countless friends

worldwide and his extended family. Dan was preceded in death by his father, Clair

Francis "Bud" Gard.

There will be two celebrations of his life. The first June 28, 2024, in Helena, Montana, at

the VFW from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm at 117 West Main, East Helena, Montana. The

second celebration will be towards the end of July in Kalispell, Montana, with the date

and location to be determined.

Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family.