Gordon Joseph Suda

Gordon Joseph Suda, 67, of Livingston, Montana passed away peacefully, Monday, December the 31st, 2018 following a sudden and brief illness. A funeral service will be held 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 5th, 2019 at the Franzen-Davis Chapel, 118 N 3rd St, Livingston. The service will be followed by graveside committal and burial at Mountain View Cemetery. Veterans honors will be presented by Park Post # 23 American Legion and the Sergeant Tommy Ray V.F.W. Post #2154. The burial will be followed by a reception at the Livingston Church of Christ, 919 West Park Street, Livingston, in the fellowship hall.Gordon was born on August 9, 1951 in Lewistown, Montana to Hubert and Evelyn (Barta) Suda. Gordon entered the workforce at age 14 to help support his mother and siblings. In 1968, at age 17, he joined the United States Army during the Vietnam War, serving in Germany as a medic. One of his career highlights was transporting an expectant mother to the hospital, while on the way, baby was ready, and Gordon delivered the baby in route.Upon his arrival back in the States he married Gwen Frost and they had two children, Brandy, born in 1974 and Shawn, born in 1976. He later married Barb and helped raise 3 step-children: Mike, Jim, and Terri Proulx. He also helped raise a nephew, Janzen Hollenbeck, from age 5, after the loss of his sister, Janice. In 1996 he married the love of his life, Susan Miller, they enjoyed almost 23 wonderful years together.He loved all of his grandchildren: Dusty, Dalton, Kobe, Jett, Vondra, Ty and Breck. He was so proud of them all and was especially proud to be there for the births of the first two, Dusty and Dalton.Gordon attended autobody restoration training in Lewiston, ID and was certified as an autobody technician. He owned and operated his own body shop, Gordys Custom Auto, in Livingston. He also served in managerial positions at several other area shops, his favorite job was as the manager for the Livingston Rebuild Center. He retired from working for Bozeman Ford, as their autobody shop manager, on February 27, 2015.Gordon was an avid hunter and loved hunting with Susan, his children, his grandchildren, brother-in-law, Michael Miller, numerous other family and friends. He harvested at least 38 elk during his hunting years, plus numerous other game. He shot the biggest bull elk of his life on November 10, 2018; it was a crowning achievement and we are so happy he had that honor. He loved reloading and spent numerous hours researching to get the perfect load. He also had a great love for his horses and his dogs.He is survived by his wife, Susan. His children, Brandy (Michael) Zwicker of Harvey, ND and Shawn (Ana Laura) Suda of Havre, MT. Four siblings, Diane (Jim) Shaver, Patti Macomber, Tim Suda, and Marilyn Suda, all of The Dells, OR. Also survived by his grandchildren, step-children, and numerous nieces and nephews.Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert Suda and Evelyn Suda Forde, and his step-father, Gordon Forde; his sister, Janice Hollenbeck; a granddaughter, Dusty Taber; brother-in-law, Scott ODell; nephew, Ryan ODell; brother-in-law, Steve Macomber; and niece, Jamie Ewing.He will be missed by all who knew him!Memorials are preferred to the American Legion Park Post #23, PO Box 826; Livingston, Montana 59047, please note in the memo line: In memory of Gordon Suda. Donations will be used to supply the Legion with flags for Memorial Day and July 4th presentations.