Donald Matelich

Donald Alan Matelich, fondly known to many as the Duck, died of natural causes on February 24, 2025. Don and his fraternal twin, Ron, were born in Anaconda MT on May 3rd, 1958 to Eugene and Helen Matelich. At the age of 4, Don and his family moved to Missoula where his father started a new mobile home business. 

Don attended Saint Anthony’s grade school. He graduated from Sentinel High School in 1976. Growing up Don played Little Grizzly football (Matelich Trailer Sales and Western Bank), Little League baseball (O’Connor Construction) and Babe Ruth baseball. 

As a high schooler he played football all four years for the Sentinel High Spartans and lettered. He also sang as a tenor in Robert Narem’s Sentinel High Acapella Choir. With his family, he alpine skied at Snowbowl and loved to go hunting and fishing in the Big Hole.

After high school Don went on to study business at the University of Montana, where he graduated in 1980 with a business degree. He was a proud member of the ATO fraternity house and made many lifelong friendships with his fraternity brothers.

Don’s first job out of college was as a salesman at Peterson Motors. He then moved to Denver in 1984 where he earned his Series 7 license and became a stock broker for Boettcher and Co. Don missed Missoula and returned in 1990 and went to work for AG Edwards as a Financial Advisor. 

Don married Tammy Sherick of Polson, MT, in 1992 and they had a son named Sam. Sam was always the apple of Don’s eye. Don was an engaged, devoted father to Sam, sharing every summer with Sam in Montana, enjoying Flathead Lake and rafting down the Alberton Gorge.

Don left the securities business in 1997 and returned to the car business. Don owned two used car dealerships: Garden City Motors, and Don’s Cars. Later in life Don focused on managing his rental properties.

Perhaps Don’s greatest accomplishment was maintaining almost 20 years of sobriety. He took great pride in the fact that he improved both his quality and quantity of life through hard work and dedication. He was grateful for the support of his friends in AA and enjoyed being a support for them.

Don wouldn’t be a true Missoulian without also being a Grizzly Football fan. Don rarely missed a home game and could always be found tailgating with friends and family.

Don was a kind and gentle soul who had a tender heart. He was loved by his family and friends. Don lived by The Golden Rule, which was to always treat others the way that he wanted to be treated: with kindness, respect and fairness.

Don was preceded in death by his Mother and father, his sister Judy and his brother Jim. He is survived by his son Sam, his brothers Geno, Craig (Mary), Ron (Swithin) and Lewis (Melanie), his nieces Wren and Julia, and his nephews Ben, Nathan, Joe, Tom, Lucas and Nick. There will be a memorial service held on March 12th at 2pm in the Garden City Funeral Home Chapel.

In lieu of flowers or donation to any organization, Don would ask that everyone “pay it forward” with a random act of kindness or helping someone in need. That was his way of making the world a better place.