Gerald 'Jerry' Sawyer, 74

Gerald "Jerry" Sawyer, 74, of Bigfork died on Feb. 11, 2026, after battling cancer for almost a year. 

He was born in Gary, Indiana on Jan. 17, 1952, later earning a Bachelor of Science in Geology and Masters in Recreational Resources and Management. After a brief stint in the mines in Colorado, Jerry dedicated his working life to public service. He started out in Colorado State Parks and then moved to the Flathead, where he lived most of his life, and worked for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. 

Jerry managed all of the Flathead Lake state parks, including Wild Horse Island, as well as Lake Mary, Ronan. A true believer in multiple use management of public lands for the betterment of all users, he ensured a healthy balance of resource protection and public enjoyment for millions of visitors to Flathead Lake.  

Although he said the best job he ever had was working as a backcountry ranger in Colorado where he would be out in the remote wild for weeks at a time, Jerry particularly loved Wild Horse Island; it was always a special place for him. He also put together the Flathead Lake Marine Trail for non-motorized paddlers to have a path to circumnavigate the entire massive lake.

But at the core, public land stewardship and recreation wasn’t a job to Jerry. It was his life and he vigorously lived it. Rock climbing Devil’s Tower in Wyoming, ice climbing in Colorado, sea kayaking in Canada, mountaineering in Glacier National Park, scuba diving with sharks in Maui, and hunting deer with homemade black powder muskets in the Swan Valley are just a few of the activities Jerry’s friends and family knew him to love.  

Jerry had lived this adventurous life on his own until he found Debbie. Both had waited for that one perfect person to complete them, and they found that in each other, marrying on Oct. 7, 2006. Together, they never shied away from some new outdoor activity because it was difficult, scary, or extreme.

Jerry and Debbie relished sharing experiences with family and friends and making lasting memories — as that is what remains. They never had children but loved their two German Shepherd dogs, Rocky and Dita, as if they were children.

We all loved Jerry for his encouragement, prodding you to push your comfort zone in his quiet and gentle way. Cancer took him from us too soon. We were not ready for Jerry’s life — so well lived — to be complete yet. 

He is survived by his wife, Debbie of Bigfork, and her extended family — all in Montana — as well as his brother, Jim (Mary) and nephew, Jason (Ginger and Nolan) — all from Hobart, Indiana. He also gained a loving brother, sister, and nephews and nieces from Debbie in John (KD), Kathy (Dan), Kyle (Killian and son Callum), Ryan (son Granger), McKenna and Teagan. 

All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jerry’s life at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Jerry spent his life loving and caring for the environment. Accordingly, in lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree in his honor, which can be done through the Buffalo Hill Funeral Home website.