David Arthur Holy

8/14/23 - David Arthur Holy, 86, passed away at 8:14pm surrounded by his family.  David was born October 28^th, 1936, to LaVerne G. Holy and Fredaine D. (Springer) Holy in La Crosse, WI.  David grew up building houses with his father.  After a tobogganing accident in his early twenties landed him in the hospital with a broken back, David met and married his attending nurse Carol A. Shaw.  Together they had five children.  While in Minnesota, David learned the trade of refrigeration repair and apprenticed with a close friend Don Peterson.  David moved to Montana to hunt and fish in 1963. His experience building, the refrigeration business, working at the saw mill during the night shift and painting houses kept David busy.  Later in life, David sold his refrigeration business to his son Bruce and kept buying and refurbishing houses.  He was always looking for a good deal.

David’s grandsons Curtis and Jeremy, along with son Bruce and daughter Sandy, were instrumental in allowing David to maintain his properties.  He was often heard giving the “list” of things to be done.  With that followed “are you done yet?,” “No slacking,” and “did the mail come?”.  At times, the list could rival that of Santa Claus. 

David hunted and fished to the very end of his life.  The tales of the “big one” as Curtis describes, “there are horns everywhere” In eastern Montana, we felt the earth shift with the amount of lead that hit the ground when he would shoot.  His nickname was “click” when the gun was heard misfiring with a “click.”

David was very generous and was often seen giving food and “good stuff” to his renters and helpers.  “Take those fishing poles for the kids and take them out” and “get that gallon of milk out of the fridge.  I can’t possibly drink all of it.”  You never left his house with your hands empty. 

David’s second family and friends were the staff and customers of the auction house.  He could never pass up a good deal.  He was often heard saying, “did you see what I got for $5.00?”  You would look down at the boxes of “good stuff”.    I found out that the auction house had “assigned seating” only for David Holy. Next came, “Grandpa, where are you going to put that?” He missed his time at the auction house when he could no longer move around.  He then learned the process of “online bidding.” Where there is a will there is a way and he always found the way.  His last weeks were spent with the full time and attention of his grandsons and his family.  Many hands make light work. 

David is proceeded in death by his parents LaVerne and Fredaine, his brother Daniel Holy and His beloved dogs Misty, Rebel, Kelly and Baron.  Last but not least is Thomas the cat who adopted him.

David is survived by his sister Dolores Sloggy (Larry), his children David Anthony Holy (Simão Avila), Sandra Heinrich, Julie LaTray (Terry), Bruce Holy (Sue), Brian Holy and Jeff Swonson (Rebecca).  His grandchildren Melissa Hanson (Ty), Curtis Holy, Steven Holy (Rebecca), Ryan Holy, Madison LaTray and Jeremy Hunter (Holly).  His great grandchildren Carter Holy, Kinsley Hunter and Camden Hunter. Nieces Samantha Sloggy, Heather Moore, Elizabeth Holy and Nephew Chris Holy.

A service for David Holy will be September 1, 2023, at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church. 1475 Eaton St., Missoula, MT, 59801.  Service at 11:00am and lunch to follow.