Thad Dunlavy

A memorial service for Thad Dunlavy will be 11:00 a. m. , Thursday, December 12, 2013 at Medicine Rocks Lodge, off Hwy 7 on Medicine Rocks Road, Ekalaka, MT. Thad passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at his home in Ekalaka, MT. Born Sept. 2, 1967 in Corvallis, Oregon; Thad Eric Dunlavy, entered life with a special God-given gift of offering himself in the service of caring for others; truly from his heart. Thad and his parents journeyed when he was fourteen months old to the Philippine, Islands where his father served our country in the USAF, during the Viet Nam war. Living on the Island of Luzon for 3 V2 years impressed on Thad (at an early age) a unique view; the genuine need to offer yourself, in the service of those less fortunate or truly in need. The physical act of bringing love, care & balance to others; was his credo. His family returned to the U. S. in 1970, to Selah WA. , where he attended Elementary School. In 1978 his family moved to Spokane WA. where he finished High School & attended College (majoring in the Arts). Thad chose to work & help manage family businesses for 30 years. The family owned: a Convenience store, an Employment service, a 57 year old Pet Shop & Grooming Salon, a Lawn and Garden Center. Thad and His Dad, Rob opened Spokane’s 1st and only Paintball Pro Shop in the mid-1980’s and Thad operated the shop and served as President of the Magic Markers Paintball Team (10th nationally ranked paintball team, in America). Thad lovingly cared for thousands of puppies and kittens, over 25 years. He would insist on staying, at the shop, all night and care for a sick or feeble, infant pet. Thad was an Artist, Photographer, Long distance runner (ran Bloomsday, from 1979 to 2005), Elite Gardner and landscaper (sculpted shrubs and trees, planted thousand of flowers) , Pet Care Specialist, Dog groomer (sculpted dogs too), Paintball Specialist, Small Business Owner, Hunter, Firearms Enthusiast, American Patriot. Thad planted flower gardens to “lift the spirits” of others. Folks would knock on our front door and say, ” I want you to know that I drive, home this route, each day from work, to enjoy this heavenly display of flowers, in your front yard. ” He cut fifteen to twenty cord of wood, himself, each fall and sculpted the precisionally cut logs into stacked “Art”. Described by many as ” A kind and gentle “Giant”. He was only 6’4? but his spirit filled the lives of others; in a “Giant” way. Thad was always ready to lend a hand, video a precious moment (a memory gift to the recipient). Folks would often be surprised by a hand-delivered gourmet pizza. A gift from Thad as a special Thank You (or) just to say, “so glad we are friends; lets share this “great moment. ” Thad offered to let others, be the center of attention, humbly a spectator in the great gatherings and drama(s) of life. He never spoke unkindly of others choosing to reframed life’s disappointments, within the “noble frame” of forgiveness; choosing always to extract good from life’s follies. Thad moved following his divorce, to Ekalaka, MT. to start a new life; close to his Mom and Stepdad. Thad lost his best friend, his beloved father Rob Dunlavy, in 2005 and knowing they are reunited brings great peace to Thad’s family. He was also preceeded in death, by his maternal Grandmother Emma Bates; his Aunt Bridget Houchin. He is survived by his Mother and Stepfather DeAnna and Ty Throop of Medicine Rocks, MT. ; Brother, Ryan Dunlavy; Spokane WA. ; Maternal Grandmother, Marian Huberdean; Spokane Valley WA. ; Uncle & Aunt: Daniel Winegar & Sandi Winegar; Selah WA. ; Cousin(s) & great cousins: Chad & Megan Winegar (Taylor & Tally) Selah, WA. , Cousin(s) and great cousins: Heather & Brent Underwood (Ivy & Lilly) North Bend, WA. , Uncle: Hugh Howard Bates III; Salt Lake City; Aunt Margaret (Peggy) Treacy Rainelle, W. V. ; Cousins: Reila Bates, Salt Lake City; Bumie Bates; Tri-Cities WA. ; Step- brothers: Todd Troop & Family, Belgrade MT. , Trever Troop & family, Missoula MT. , Stepsisters: & Step-nephew Tori Throop & Tyler Briggs (highlight to Thad’s heart) Stevenville, MT. , Traci Baumgartner & Family, Missoula MT. and hundreds of Chosen Family and Friends; so loved by Thad. Thad worked at Dahl Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home as a CNA. He was so grateful to work for such an amazing facility, with a staff team that chose to not only work together, but to form a “work- family” that loved and cared for others and each other. He shared that Ekalaka had welcomed him with open-arms and made him feel, at home, so effortlessly. He left us, with many gratitude’s, in his heart. You are invited to honor Thad’s legacy of giving, by watching for daily opportunities to help those in need, comfort those in pain, illness, or aging, planting flowers to lift folks spirits, reframing anger with forgiveness and opening your hearts, to expressions of gratitude, for the daily treasures of life.


Burial Date: December 12, 2013
Funeral Home Ekalaka, MT

Memorial Service: Thursday: Medicine Rocks Lodge, Ekalaka, MT