Gerald Bandy

Born June 12, 1930, to Helen and Dominic Savakinus-Bandy in Detroit Michigan.   He went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus on February 29, 2024, after a short illness.

Jerry married the love of his life Annice McCarty on December 22, 1951, and had 4 kids, Rick (Sherri) Bandy, Steve Bandy, Mark Bandy, and Karen (Craig) Bandy-Huston.

Right after his marriage to Ann he shipped out to fight in the Korean war.  He was quickly recognized for his leadership skills while deployed and was given increasing responsibilities while deployed.  After his service to his country Jerry worked at the World headquarters of Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan and retired after 30 years.

Jerry and Ann, after retirement accepted an offer to manage a resort at Petosky, MI and after 5 years the owners decided to sell and so they bought a small hotel in a tourist community of Port Austin, MI.  While there they and a group of investors purchased an old military base and turned it into a KOA campground and Jerry managed it for a year.  After 5 years they sold the motel and moved to their condo in Anna Maria Island in Florida and then eventually moved to Kee Wee Keys, South Carolina.

After Ann passed away Jerry moved to Great Falls where he rented an apartment at what is now called The IRIS senior retirement community and lived there until his death.  He made many friends at the IRIS and will be greatly missed by the residents and staff that provided loving and compassionate care.

Jerry was always willing to get involved in any organization he or his kids were involved in, including being scout leader, sporting activities his kids were involved in, and in his church.

President Kennedy once said, ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.  This was the philosophy Dad lived by. He lived this by serving his country in the Army, he modeled it in the way he raised his children, He showed it by the way he honored his employer.  He was always ready to lend a helping hand to those who needed it.  I think maybe a better way to state President Kennedy’s famous line could be found in Romans 12:1 where it says “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.”

As a scout leader he understood the Boy Scout law which says: A scout is to be Trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.  Dad lived these ideals and taught others to strive to live them also.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; his younger brother, Paul Bandy; his stepbrother, Tom Norwood; his son, Steve; and great-granddaughter, Adrianna.

Survivors include sons, Rick (Sherri), Mark; and daughter, Karen (Craig); 4 grandkids, Dylan, Nicole, Troy and Kendra; 3 great-grandkids, Sevryn, Payton, and Gryffin.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses on the 7th floor, north tower of Benefis and the entire staff at Peace Hospice for the wonderful and compassionate care given to Dad during his brief illness.

Services will be held at the IRIS on March 6, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.