Bernard "Jake" M. Jakeway

Bernard M. “Jake” Jakeway, 68, of Sand Coulee, MT passed away on December 1st, 2022, in Billings, MT. A Memorial Service has been planned for Saturday December 10th, 2022, at Westside Methodist Church at 1PM with Military Honors.

Born on December 13th, 1953, in Great Falls, MT, he was one of the three children born to Alfred and Jessie (Joslyn) Jakeway. Though born in Great Falls, Jake was raised in Sand Coulee and graduated from Centerville High School in 1972. He met the love of his life, Joanne Dussault in first grade, but they didn’t start dating until their junior year of high school.  The young couple were married on May 4th, 1973, in Great Falls; they shared 49 years and two children together.

Jake went on to join the Montana Air National Guard, taking courses through the College of the Air Force. After training he joined the Security police, where he later received a letter of commendation from the Air Guard base commander. After some time in the MT Air Guard, he joined the Cascade County Sheriff’s department. During his time in the Police Academy, he received an award for Best Notebook. After graduation, he became a Sheriff’s deputy, K-9 officer/trainer and Search & Rescue Diver. After leaving the sheriff’s department, Jake held an assortment of other positions such as the Shopko Loss Prevention Manager, Great Falls Tribune Distribution Manager, and a Paralegal Investigator.  

When he wasn’t serving the public, he thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors hunting, fishing, camping, four-wheeling, motorcycle riding, skiing, scuba diving, and playing horseshoes. Jake was an excellent and accomplished welder and fabricator; he especially loved building trailers. Out of all his many hobbies and sports, Jake loved his family and community most of all. He gained much joy from giving all those around him smiles and memories to share. Jake loved to spoil his granddaughters with gadgets and sweet treats; always having Reese’s or M&Ms in his pocket to give the kids. During the summer Jake was well known for his 4th of July fireworks display, which was his favorite time to spend with his family and grandchildren. He always put on a good show! He loved pulling his “Scooter Pops” ice cream business with his motorcycle around the neighborhood, he created and sold “Moose Joose” root beer and survival kit pouches at craft sales. During the Christmas season, along with Frank and Paula Grieve, he hosted the “Sand Coulee Santa Claus” delivering stockings to school and having a hay ride that night followed by hot chocolate and cookies. Jake was a very giving and caring man, who will be truly and greatly missed by all those who had the honor to know him and serve with him.

He was preceded in death by his son Christopher Jakeway; parents Alfred and Jessie Jakeway and sister Carlie Clugston.

Jake is survived by his loving wife of 49 years Joanne Jakeway; daughter Stefanie (Trevor) Cummings; granddaughters Madeline Scott-Cummings and Cayleigh Cummings; sister Carlene Jakeway, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family requests donations be made in Jake’s name to a local Veteran’s Association of your choosing or The American Arthritis Association. 

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