Service Schedule

Visitation
Visitation will be Monday, September 26, 2016, from 10 AM to 5 PM at funeral home and one hour before services at the church.

Service
Funeral service for Jack Vaira, 62 of Billings, MT formerly Fairview, MT, will be at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, September 27, 2016, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Fairview, MT with Pastor Roberta Pierce officiating.

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Graveside Service
Cremation will follow service.

Jack DaWayne Vaira
October 10, 1953 - September 20, 2016

Place of Birth: Sidney, Montana
Residence: BIllings, MT formerly of Fairview, MT
Age: 62

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Jack was born October 10, 1953 to Alfred and Betty Vaira in Sidney, MT. Alfred was so proud that he paid for the birth of his son with silver dollars.
Jack attended East Fairview for first grade and then West Fairview throughout high school, graduating in 1971. He attended Vo-Tech in Helena, MT and then worked at Haugen Auto in Sidney for a time. He then joined his father on the family farm west of Fairview and north of Lambert.
Jack and Debbie were high school sweethearts and were married on May 31, 1975. They made their home on the family farm. While on the farm they grew their family of 5 children, Sabrina, Celeste, Elizabeth, Jacqueline, and Ryan. In 1995 they stopped farming and purchased the Hotel Albert in Fairview, MT which they have run since. Jack opened the Gold Rush Casino & Liquor Store in 2013 with the guidance and mentoring of Clint Lohman.
Jack was always on the move, and always made up a name for where he lived. Currently his home was FairBertillingend…aka Fairview, Lambert, Billings, and Townsend where he had property on Canyon Ferry. Jack always said he lived where he landed.
Jack passed away suddenly in the early morning hours, Tuesday, September 20, 2016, at St. Vincent’s Healthcare, Billings, MT.
He leaves behind: his wife, Debbie of 41 years; his children Sabrina, children Tyson, Maizie, and Rory, Celeste and children Cambree and Landon, Elizabeth (Karsten) and Jovie, Jackie (Josh) children Sam and Micah, and Ryan and his wife Shanda; his Aunt, Dolly, Uncle Swede; cousin Sherry; and numerous cousins. He will be missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Betty Vaira.
He had a love for everyone he met and always had a greeting, a handshake or a joke. He loved his family and did everything to make sure they would have a better life. We will miss Jack Vaira – the man, the myth, and the legend; a nickname he willingly gave himself after a fun filled day at the lake. Until we meet again.

Memorial Contribution

In lieu of flowers to donate to the charity of choice or your local food bank.

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Stuart & Lena Neer (Sidney)
Sep 21, 2016

Debbie and family:
We are so sorry to hear of Jack's passing. He was a good guy. Fun-loving and genuinely good hearted. He will be missed by many. Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this time.

J.D. Nelson (Sidney, MT)
Sep 21, 2016

From years of radio conversations, to working for Jack at the Hotel Albert, I had the privilege to meet a man who was as unique as he was giving. Prayers and condolences to Deb and family.

Ken and Linda Simonsen (Girard)
Sep 21, 2016

To all of Jack's family, Our sincere sympathy to you all. May God send His ministering angels to you in the form of caring friends and family to bring you the comfort only He can give. Ken and Linda

Doug and Linda Buxbaum (Hall, Montana)
Sep 21, 2016

We are so sorry to hear of you and your family's loss, Debbie. Jack was a good friend to so many and will be sorely missed. We are grateful to have visited with you not too long ago. God bless you and your family.

Doreen Vaira-Herbert (Glasgow, MT)
Sep 21, 2016

Deb, Sabrina, Celeste ,Liz, Jackie, Ryan and families,
We are so shocked and very sorry to hear about Jack's death. He always had a smile on his face and ready to joke around! He will be missed by many. Prayers to you all, Craig & Doreen

Crystal Stai (Fairview)
Sep 21, 2016

I am so sorry for your loss. Jack was a great man and helped many. My deepest sympathy and prayers to all.

Toni Dodge
Sep 21, 2016

Deb and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. He will be missed. May God wrap his arms around all of you during this difficult time. Hugs to you all.

Suzie
Sep 21, 2016

Deb and Family, so sorry to hear of Jacks passing. may God wrap his arms around you and your family during this difficult time.

Kim falkenhagen (Fairview)
Sep 21, 2016

Deb and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers and hugs to you all!!

Kerry Finsaas (Fairview, MT)
Sep 21, 2016

Deb and family our prayers of comfort and strength are with you.

Royce
Sep 21, 2016

my prayers for Deb and family. Jack was always a good friend. I still have his kind words of sympathy saved in the message that he left on my home phone 9 years ago when my daughter passed away.

Maria Hodge (Crane, MT)
Sep 22, 2016

Deb So sorry for your family's loss. May God wrap his arms around your family and give you some comfort .Jack was such a funny guy I know he will be missed by many

Mike and Deb moore (Port Orchard, Wa)
Sep 22, 2016

We are so sorry to hear about Jack. Our prayers are with you and the kids. He will always have a place in my heart as a great friend .

Sharon Olson
Sep 22, 2016

Deb & Family,
May you feel the Love and Peace and the Memories, of each child and every grandchild that you and Jack shared to bring you through the days ahead, the funny, the sad, the bad. Love to all! I am sorry for everyone's pain! ????

David Linde (Fairview , Mt)
Sep 22, 2016

He was a good friend and I am going to miss him. I am sorry for your family loss of a good father friend and husband. He will not be forgotten.

Patsy Finsaas Bergan (Minot, North Dakota)
Sep 22, 2016

So sorry for your loss Debbie and family. Jack was such a good guy in high school and always had a smile on his face. Thoughts and prayers to all.

Ernie Cotter (Fairview)
Sep 22, 2016

Prayers to Deb and family.

Hank Berry (Sidney, Mt.)
Sep 22, 2016

Debbie, I'm so sorry to hear about Jack. Thoughts and prayers are with you and the kids. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Hard to believe how fragile life is sometimes.

Annabelle Heiser (Helena, MT)
Sep 22, 2016

Deb and family, Please except my condolences. I remember you and Jack as a students of Bill's and the laughter that was always there when he was present. Had many lunches at the Hotel Albert and always enjoyed seeing you and Jack. Hope you can find comfort in the memories. Annabelle

Linda Dahl (Layton, Utah)
Sep 22, 2016

Debbie and family, I am so shocked to hear of Jack's passing. I want to extend my deepest sorrow and lift you all in prayers for peace and comfort in this most difficult time. God Bless to one and all. Love always....Linda

Sharon Olson
Sep 22, 2016

Oh my gosh, on my first message, those were all supposed to be praying handsI am so so sorry!

Rick fehrs (St paul, Mn)
Sep 22, 2016

A freind of ours and mine are gone but never forgotten deb and family stand tall in your remberece because he was trully a good man.

Linda Soderlind (Fernley, NV)
Sep 23, 2016

Deb, This is terrible news. I am so sorry for your loss. My most sincere sympathy to all of your family. Please know that old friends far and wide are grieving with you. I wish I could be there to give you a huge hug, but I'll have to save that for the next time we're together. I am pondering so many great memories... "I knew Jack!"

Rich & Marilyn Croy (Coeur d' Alene, Idaho)
Sep 23, 2016

Debbie and family, so sorry to hear about Jack's passing. He was a great guy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Dave Johnson (Billings, Montana)
Sep 23, 2016

Debbie and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I've known Jack for many years, and he was always a good friend. I always enjoyed seeing him whenever I was back in the area. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.

Debbie Crossland (Fairview, Montana)
Sep 23, 2016

I am so stunned to hear of Jack's death. My prayers are with you and the kids. He will be missed.

Darby Rogney (Glasgow , MT)
Sep 23, 2016

So sorry for the loss of Jack, Deb and family. He was a great guy, even though I haven't seen him for a few years, the memories are all fresh in my mind. We had a great time growing up. Darby and Jackie

Bill & Marsha Buckley (Fairview, Montana)
Sep 23, 2016

Condolences to all of Jack's Family, Jack always
had a smile and a hello to us when ever we ran into him. Let us know if there's anything we can do to help you in this difficult time. May the Lord bless all of you and Guide you through losing a loved Husband,Father, Grandfather and friend.

Scott Swanson (SIDNEY, MONTANA)
Sep 23, 2016

My sincerest condolences to the family. Jack was an awesome person always smiling, friendly and quick with a joke. He will be greatly missed

Dick and Kathy Zoanni (Sidney, Montana)
Sep 23, 2016

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jack's family. We are very sorry for your loss.

leonard and gordyne norby (billings, MT)
Sep 23, 2016

We are so sorry for your loss.

Sandra Hunter Iverson (Gillette, Wyoming)
Sep 23, 2016

Debbie and family: My thoughts and prayers are for you and your family. I am so sorry for your loss.

Mary Prevost Dillon (Wolfpoint, MT)
Sep 23, 2016

I am sending my most sincere sympathy. I didn't see Jack often, but we always had a good visit and he was always asking me how I was getting along at Jimtown. We had many good laughs telling stories. Your family will be in my prayers. It is comforting to know that we will see our loved ones again. I am so sorry.
Mary Prevost Dillon

Karen (Nickens) Stimpson (Mackenbach, Germany)
Sep 24, 2016

Debbie and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Jack was always such an encouraging, positive person. May the many memories and blessings that you shared together help you in this time of sorrow.

Dalton Thomas (Kansas city, Mo.)
Sep 24, 2016

Jack was exceptional and the best regards from my family. Truly appreciate all he has done for my pops and mom.

Dick &Debbi (Sidney, Mt)
Sep 24, 2016

Deb and family, what a truly devastating loss of a funny,giving man. Jack was always so full of life and kind to all. Our condolences to your family and hoping time will heal the gap left by his absence

Deana Carranza (Sidney, MT)
Sep 24, 2016

My heart felt condolences to you and yours. Our world just lost a ray sunshine in Jack Vaira. May peace fill your minds and hearts in the days to come.

Sarah Ochs (Daytona Beach, FL)
Sep 24, 2016

Jack, I have such great memories of working for you and Deb at Hotel Albert and made such great friendships ... And for that I am truly grateful.

Brenda Barr Landsiedel (Great Falls, MT)
Sep 24, 2016

Debbie - I am so saddened by the news of Jack's passing. You and your family have my deepest sympathy. I have so many fond memories of Jack and you from our high school years. I am grieving with you and giving thanks for those memories and for Jack's life. He touched the life of so many people. Praying for peace, comfort and many blessings for you.

Buck & Kim Syth (Twin Falls, Idaho)
Sep 25, 2016

Deb and family, we were sorry to read the news of Jack's passing. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. God bless you all.

Avery and Shelly Roll (Billings, MT)
Sep 25, 2016

Deb so sorry to hear the passing of Jack. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this very sad time. May God be with you!

Jim and Terry Gundersen (Townsend, Montana)
Sep 25, 2016

Our hearts are broken and we know that you and your family have broken hearts also. Jack was one of a kind....we so enjoyed your visits to the lake and feel so sad that we won't get to enjoy that again. Jack was so funny, so kind, so caring and so generous. We will never forget him and will always remember his laugh and that smile. We look forward to seeing you again, Deb. If there is anything we can do for you across the road, please don't hesitate to call on us. We are thinking of you and your kids and grandchildren. So sad! We're so sorry....he was too young and had so much yet to do. Love to you all....Jim and Terry

Lacey Klewin and Kyle Brown family (Billings , Mt)
Sep 26, 2016

Sending all our love during this trying time. We hope that all those amazing memories chase away the sorrow.

Denise Rossol (Sidney, MT)
Sep 26, 2016

Deb, Sending you our deepest heartfelt sympathy. We always had the best visits whenever we would run into Jack! Such a great person. We will be holding your entire family in our hearts and keeping you all in our prayers. Ken & Denise. 60154

Doug & Tammie McCormick (Culbertson, Mt)
Sep 26, 2016

We're so sorry to hear of Jack's passing. You are all in our thoughts & prayers!

Vance, Tina Lorenz and Family (Billings , MT)
Sep 27, 2016

Debbie, Sabrina, Celeste, Jackie, Lizzie and Ryan we are so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort with each other and may your many memories of your wonderful husband and father bring you warmth. I wish there was more that I could say to bring you comfort during your time of loss unfortunately words simply do not seem to lessen the pain, heartache or grief that you feel when losing a loved one who has been such a big part of your world. May the Lord wrap you with comfort, shower you with his love and give you strength during this time. Vance, Tina, Kasia and Jace Lorenz

John and Marilyn Cherrey (Denver, CO)
Sep 28, 2016

Debbie and Family,

With a heavy heart, we were saddened to hear of Jack's sudden passing. You and your family will be remembered daily in our prayers. Jack will be surely be missed.

Lois(Croy) Vanidestine (Green Bay, Wi.)
Sep 29, 2016

So saddened to hear about Jack. My love and prayers go out to you, Debbie and your family. There were so many good memories of high school days, will always smile when thinking of his laughter and big generous heart. He will be missed by so many. Lois and Joe Vanidestine

Heather Hinners (weimer) (Sioux Falls, SD)
Oct 2, 2016

So sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with your family during this time.

Williams Family
Oct 12, 2016

Condolences to the Vaira family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your whole family. Psalms 147:3 says God, "heals the broken hearted, and binds up their wounds." May God bring you comfort and peace.