Our beloved brother and father Richard Scott Garrison passed away gently at his cherished home in Rimini on May 19, 2026. Each and every person who knew him well said he lived his life with a smile on his face and a good heart to give away. Truly a good and giving soul. One to be remembered and to be missed.

He is survived by his twin brother Robert (Eileen), older brother Michael (Zoe), older sister Linda, and his two daughters, Carly Bergquist and Katie Garrison. Rick is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews along with many friends and loved ones.

Rick’s early life started in Seattle when he lost the race to be the older twin brother. As life went on, he learned his sales skills at the knee of his grandfather selling programs at the UW Huskies games. At age 12,

Rick and Rob shared a morning paper route getting up at five in the morning. Their first day was their birthday January 12th and it was snowing. Later in life, Rick furthered his selling skills while selling T-shirts at concerts and other events up and down the west coast. He became the top seller at the Kingdome selling beer and peanuts and was even in a few Rainier beer commercials. His selling also allowed him the opportunity to visit as many skate parks as he could.

Around 4th grade, he followed his father in a lifelong passion of music and the playing of the trumpet. Throughout his life, his music whether rock or jazz was one of his favorite ways of expressing and sharing his life. Starting out with his father’s trumpet, he went through life with one always within his reach.

The family spent most weekends year round as a family backpacking, skiing, camping and just being in the outdoors and out of Seattle in the woods, rain or shine. One of Rick’s other passions was a lifelong love of skateboarding. He built a ramp in the family front yard. He would be skating going up and down the ramp back and forth till sometimes two in the morning. He also became an avid BMX racer and won boxes full of trophies. Rick’s passion for skateboards, BMX, and snowboarding were all started at the beginning of them becoming “a thing” back in the 70’s and 80’s.

In 1988, he moved his family to Helena, Montana. Montana became his home and his life. Between working at Capital Sports and Western, Montana Marketing, and finally his own specialty imprinting shop Garrison Specialties, he met everyone in town. This also led him to playing in a number of bands throughout the years and finally in the Queen City Swing Band. Rick truly loved the Helena music community.

In 1993, Rick moved to Rimini purchasing his beloved home which was at the impetus of the Northern Pacific Railroad. From the beginning, he delved into the rich mining and railroad history of Rimini and his property at the station site at the end of the line. He shared his passion with anyone who would listen, especially his twin brother.

About 20 years ago, Rick started helping out with the Montana elections office and soon became a Chief Judge for the County. He took pride in this civic responsibility and talked often of his duties and how important it was for all of us to get out and let your vote be heard.

This last winter, Rick started helping the kids of the youth organization STOKE chaperoning and assisting in their ski/snowboard program for the youth of Townsend. He was so stoked to be helping the youth in their increased passion for winter sports. Rick could also be seen almost daily at 11:00 at the skate park skating back and forth in the bowl. He could be seen on his bike riding the trails around Helena always with a smile and a kind word to be shared with everyone he passed.

Every person we have talked to since his passing said Rick didn’t have a mean bone in him. He was always smiling and brought warmth into every room. A gentle giant. They all said he brought joy to their hearts.

When he passed, he had his beloved trumpet at hand and was looking at his beautiful view of Red Mountain.

Please join the family on July 11th at noon for a memorial service and celebration of life barbecue. The service will be held at his beloved home in Rimini.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to STOKE at https://stokemt.org

or

Helena New Horizons Concert Band at https://nhcbhelena.wixsite.com.