Darrell “Gene” McGillis, 74, of Great Falls passed away on September 9, 2022.
Visitation will be held on Friday, September 16, 2022, starting at 12:00 pm at the Little Shell Cultural Center, 1529 Stuckey Rd, with a rosary to follow at 7:00 pm. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at 11:00 am at O’Connor Memorial Chapel.
Gene was born on September 27, 1947, to Joe and Edna McGillis. He attended Franklin Elementary School, West Junior High School, later receiving his GED and completed his apprenticeship to become a Pipefitter welder. He married Sally Hansen on June 28, 1969; they had two daughters and one son together. Gene and Sally divorced in 1989 and remained close friends.
He met Tammy Garness in the early 1990’s; they later married on May 19, 1995. They became a blended family with his two daughters and her three children, James and JD Steffenson and Keri Horton. Throughout their marriage, Gene and Tammy also welcomed close to 100 foster children into their home and were involved in Special Olympics until her untimely death on September 25, 2013.
Gene developed a close companionship with his lifelong friend, Mary Duvall and they married on February 28, 2020.
He was raised and grew up on Hill 57 with his younger siblings, Alfred, Phyllis, Wanda, Richard, Sherry, David, Edward, Kevin, and Timothy. He was the oldest of ten children. He loved telling stories of growing up on the “hill” and the crazy shenanigans he’d get into with his siblings and numerous cousins, especially his best friends Hawk and Jay Jarvey.
Gene worked for Local 41 for almost 30 years before retiring. Gene served in the Army from 1966-1969 and was a proud member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa. He enjoyed shooting pool, fishing, watching sports, dancing in his younger years and, most importantly, Saturday night poker with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Duvall-McGillis; daughters, Rebecca Jean McGillis, Bridgette K. McGillis and Keri Horton; sons, James (Serena) Steffenson, and JD (Amy) Steffenson; 11 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, several foster children; notably Sherman “George,” Shay, and Shanell La Vallie; sisters, Phyllis McGillis, Wanda (Jose) Guzman, Sherry (Donald) Azure; and brothers, Alfred (Barb) McGillis, David (Pam) McGillis, Edward McGillis, Kevin (Michelle) McGillis, and Timothy (Trish) McGillis.
Gene was preceded in death by his son, Brad McGillis; wife, Tammy McGillis; brother, Richard McGillis; brother-in-law, Jose Guzman; and his parents, Joe and Edna McGillis.
He had a crazy sense of humor, big heart, and welcomed all to his home. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
