Michael Joseph Dunn

Michael Joseph Dunn, 58 of Bozeman, passed away Sunday, April 6, 2014. He courageously fought a four year battle with cancer. He was born November 14, 1955 in Glasgow, MT to Charles Albert Dunn and Charlotte Thomas. He was raised on the family ranch in McCone County. He attended parochial school until 8th grade and graduated from high school in Wolf Point, MT. Michael attended Montana State University for a couple of years, before going to work in the oil fields. At age 23 while he was working in North Dakota, he was badly burned in an oil field explosion. It took Michael many years to recover from his burn injuries. The accident and nearly dying at such a young age made Michael appreciate every day of his life and truly celebrate the beauty of the world around him. He moved back to Bozeman and met the love of his life Sharon West; they were married on August 25, 1987. In Bozeman Michael worked as a motorcycle safety instructor and managed a gun store. He also owned cattle for many years. Michael loved ranching. Michael’s many hobbies included riding motorcycles, target shooting, gun collecting, camping, fishing, reading (especially science fiction), music (especially Bob Dylan, Warren Zevon and John Prine) and welding with his sons to create sculptures for his property. Michael was a great father who worked hard to create a special bond with each one of his three children. All of his children have his wry sense of humor. He loved children in general. He and his wife took care of the babies at church services. The women who dropped their babies off called him the baby whisperer because he was so good at calming crying children. Michael was the kind of person who could forge a connection with anyone. He could talk to a millionaire or a homeless man and treat each on the same. He could find something in common with anyone. He was preceded in death by his father Charles. Survivors include his wife Sharon; his children Jonah, Ariel and Shannon all of Bozeman; his mother Charlotte Thomas of South Lake, TX; 2 sisters Kathleen (Michael) Fanelli of Seattle, WA, Bridgette (Raymond) Marchetta of Flower Mound, TX; a brother Patrick Dunn of Glasgow, MT; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.