Obituary - Dennis Bymaster

Dennis Bymaster, 82, passed away peacefully Monday, January 13th, 2020. He made his transition into Heaven holding the hands of his devoted wife, Gladys, and his loving daughter, Carol, and was surrounded by all of his children and many of his grandchildren.

Dennis was born in Aberdeen, Washington April 16th, 1937, to Dimmick and Gail (Page) Bymaster. When his father died, they moved to Dietrich, Idaho, which became home to them. He attended Dietrich School and graduated in 1955. He was a star athlete and excelled in all sports during his years there.

After high school, he was recruited by the Yankees, but chose to further his education instead. He went to Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, on a scholarship. He continued with sports and worked toward a teaching/coaching degree while there. It was a two-year school at that time, so he continued his education at Western Montana College in Dillon, Montana, on a football scholarship.

He married Gladys Norris in 1961, in St. Johns Catholic Church in Fairfield, MT. He taught school in his hometown of Dietrich, ID, Huntley Project in Worden, MT, and Red Lodge, MT, before moving to Havre, MT, in 1968 to teach, coach and raise a family. He coached three sports a year and taught baseball and tennis in the summer for many years.

He was Havre High's golf coach for 27 years and took great pride in his teams, coaching his own children, as well. He retired from teaching in 1995 after 35 years of teaching, with the last 27 of those years at Havre High School.

After he retired, Dennis was able to help teach all of his grandchildren how to golf. Three of them went on to excel on the Blue Pony golf teams, and all of them continue to love the game their grandpa taught them and played with them.

He had a great love of the outdoors and instilled that in his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and sports and was happiest when he got to share these activities with his family and friends.

Dennis was incredibly proud of his wife, his children and his grandchildren. He never missed an opportunity to tell others where the kids/grandkids were, what they were doing and how proud he was of them. He and Gladys supported all the kids in their athletic events, and they traveled countless miles to watch them compete in track, volleyball, basketball and football games throughout the state.

Dennis was also so excited to know that he was going to be a great-grandpa in March. Lynnie Jean and all the children to follow will all know all about their great-grandpa through the stories we have and will always share.

Education was very important to Dennis and Gladys and they made sure their children and grandchildren followed their educational dreams. Together, they supported all of them as they pursued their goals in college, grad school and into their chosen careers.

Since education was so important to Dennis and Gladys, a scholarship in their name was recently set up so they can continue to help others as they pursue their goal of becoming a teacher.

Dennis also took great pride in his yard. He was known by many for having the greenest lawn in town. If he wasn't on the golf course or fishing, he could be found working on his lawn, making it beautiful for all who went past.

Recently, Dennis' health prevented him from golfing and working on his lawn, but he found contentment being in his comfortable home with his loving wife of more than 58 years. Dennis and Gladys spent their days watching sports on TV, reading books and just enjoying being together. They especially enjoyed following the Havre Blue Ponies and the Broadview Pirates. Over the years, they showed us all what a beautiful marriage looks like. Gladys happily took incredible care of Dennis all these years and he let us all know so many times how lucky he always felt to have her by his side.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Gladys; sons, Bill (Uji) Bymaster of Bountiful, UT; Dave Bymaster and his son, Aiden, of Carnation, WA; Dan (Jacquie) Bymaster of Broadview, MT, and their children Zach (McKenzie) Bymaster and daughter Lynnie Jean (due in March) of Roundup, MT, and Kelsey and Abby of Billings, MT, and Scott Bymaster, of Broadview, MT; daughter Carol Gabrielsen (Stan Huston) of Havre, MT, and their children Nikki Gabrielsen of Missoula, MT, Jacob, Randi, Chris and Kane Gabrielsen and Samy and Jake Huston all of Havre, MT; brothers Dale (Pat) Bymaster of Bayview, ID, and Don (Cindy) Heiken of Dietrich, ID; sisters Willa (Larry) Richards of Carnation, WA, and Nina Carothers of Shoshone, ID; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and all of his golfing buddies, poker crew and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gail and Dimmick Bymaster, and stepfather, Alfred Heiken; sister Lavon Walker, grandparents, Charles and Elizabeth (Heumphreus) Page, Fred and Elizabeth Heiken, and grandson Levi Huston.

Dennis Bymaster was truly one-of-a-kind. He was a father-figure, role model and mentor to countless others throughout his lifetime. He had a great sense of humor and his laugh was contagious. He enjoyed life. He never had a cruel thing to say about anyone and he never complained. He would stop and help anyone he could. He showed us all how to live a good, clean life. He had high morals and great integrity. He was humble, kind and proud. We are so grateful for the wonderful life he lived and shared with all of us. He taught us all what it means to just be a good person. He is loved and missed beyond measure.

We are certain when Dad got to Heaven, he was sure to ask everyone where they were from, how long they'd been there, where the best fishing spots were, and if they were catching anything.

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make a donation to the Dennis and Gladys Bymaster Education Scholarship Fund at Bear Paw Credit Union in Havre, MT.

No local services are being planned at this time. The family will have a private celebration of Dennis' life at a later date.