Roger Cantwell

Roger was born to John Holland Cantwell and Bess Irene (McCulloch) Cantwell on April 25th, 1931. He was raised and attended schools in Livingston. He worked summers at Yellowstone Park, and had the di#8217;stink#8217;tion of working in the business of Huppert Cantwell, Manure Merchants. After he graduated, he joined the U.S. Army and proudly made a 20+ year career of it. Besides his communication specialties, he served both in the Korean and Vietnam wars. He retired in 1971. In the mid-80s, he built his dream home on the Gallatin River where he spent the last quarter century. He worked at the Billings Gazette and at the Big Sky hardware store. Roger started the Big Sky American Legion Post 99 and was always a fixture at the functions, from parades to fundraisers. Those memorial white crosses from Four Corners to Yellowstone were installed and maintained faithfully by Roger and his son, Drew. He was very patriotic and loved his country and honoring all who serve in the services. He was truly and outgoing person who loved his huge family and never knew a stranger. Roger had a great sense of humor that was quite contagious. He was preceded in death by son, Roger Jr. in 1972 and daughter, Shawna Gill in 2009. Two brothers passed prior to Roger, John Cantwell in 2003 and Carl Cantwell, the last of 2010. His loving, caring wife Pamela survives at the family home on the Gallatin River. Other survivors include Roger#8217;s brother, David Lyle Cox and family of Laurel, MT; son, Theodore Olson and family of Medical Lake, WA; daughters, Debra Cantwell and family of Seattle, WA, Sheila Allen of Lake Havasu, AZ and family of Bozeman, Jeanette Cole of Bozeman and family of Seattle; Kristofer Hatlee and family of Belgrade, Raymond Hatlee of Albany, NY, Drew Cantwell also living at the family home on the Gallatin, Charles Williams and family of Billings, MT and Rick Tweeden, also of Billings. Roger has many grandchildren and nearly as many great-grandchildren. We won#8217;t attempt to list the nieces, nephews, and other family. Roger was loved and respected by nearly everyone he came in contact with in his 80 years here on earth. Services will be held at Soldier#8217;s Chapel in Big Sky at 11:00 am on Friday, July 22nd, 2011. Following the service, a reception will be held at the Cantwell home at 37190 Gallatin Road. A celebration of Roger#8217;s life will continue on the 23rd of July, also at the Cantwell home.