Warren L. Lavinder 81, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 15, 2024. Born on February 11th, 1943, in Townsend, Montana, Warren lived a life filled with adventures from beginning to end and touched the lives of many people along the way.

When he was a boy, Warren enjoyed being something different each day, excitedly asking each morning, "What am I"? He might be Popeye or Superman. One morning, he asked, "What am I"? With no guesses, he replied, "I'm a soldge,", (as he was unable to pronounce Soldier) After that morning, he was known as Soldge to all who knew him.

His desire to become a soldier led him to become a member of the Civil Air Patrol while in high school. After graduating, he married Shirley Ann Self on August 19th, 1961, and promptly enlisted in the Air Force. One of his many military adventures led him to Paris, France, where he got the chance to experience the Eiffel Tower amongst other places. Once he was honorably discharged from the Air Force, he returned to Montana to continue to raise his family, whom he loved more than anything.

A new adventure in 1969 took him back to the West Coast where he had spent time in the Air Force, with his family joining him shortly after. While in the area, he became a lifelong fan of the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners. He was never prouder than the day the Seahawks won the Superbowl.

In 1980, Warren returned to Montana for good with his wife and four children. He worked in the automotive industry for 30 + years, making many friendships that he held dearly for the remainder of his life.

He returned to college in 1989 to fulfill a desire to be a college graduate. He graduated from Montana State University in 1993 with a Business Degree, supporting Bobcats Football no matter the circumstances. He would be thrilled to know that weeks later they were back in the Championship game.

Warren was a lover of Elvis Presly, Sam Cooke, Roy Orbison and all Fifties and Sixties music. Many a summer day the radio was tuned to the oldies station, where, from him, we learned what good music was. Most especially, Warren loved his family, and his family loved him. He is and always will be the best Father and Grandfather, we will miss him all the days of our lives until we are together again.

Warren was preceded in death by his parents, Warren Hansford Lavinder and Erma Alice Webb and by his beloved granddaughter, Mahalia "Halle" Suero.

He is survived by his wife Shirley Ann Lavinder, son Larry (Marie) Lavinder, daughters Kim (Steve) Dyrdahl, Stephanie (Ted) Meadows, and Michelle Suero, brothers Frank "Bill" (Bobby Ann) Lavinder, Dwain (Olive) Lavinder and Dale Webb, sixteen grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews

A celebration of life will be held in the summer, with details to follow.