Daryl Culbert, 69

Daryl Lynn Culbert, 69, passed away on Aug. 26, 2026 in Kalispell. He was born Dec. 11, 1956, in Missoula, to Bonnie Lou and Charles Lee Culbert.

Daryl was born with an infectious smile, one that gave Donny Osmond a real run for his money. More than a few men envied it. It had a way of stealing all the girls and winning homecoming king titles.

Behind that smile was a deep love for animals, evident in the care he took with them from the beginning of his life to the end. He loved dogs fiercely, but he loved them all: the hogs he grew so attached to that parting with them nearly broke him, the hawks he defended relentlessly, and the childhood chickens he would lie down beside inside the coop, just to be near them.

That respect carried into the field. As an avid hunter, he treated the animals he harvested with the same reverence, understanding he was taking a life and taking every measure to honor it. He was the kind of hunter and conservationist that anyone in the world would respect. As he grew older, the desire to take life gave way to the pleasure of simply watching animals in their own habitat, in their own beauty.

He spent his childhood outdoors with his siblings and cousins, hiking the trails, camping, swimming in Flathead and Estes Lakes, while carrying picnic lunches packed by his grandmother. Nature brought out the best version of him.

Daryl began a 25-year military career as a Boatswain's Mate in the U.S. Navy and retired as Petty Officer First Class with the Naval Construction Battalion, the Seabees, including a deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He ultimately turned down a promotion as he preferred hands-on work, a real maverick to the end. As a young sailor he was enthusiastic about everything and never afraid of hard work, taking on every deck job the ship had.

Off duty he would sit in the missile control room with his brother Doug and play music through his headphones so loud the whole room could hear it. That dedication earned him a commendation for his work during the Hurricane Katrina cleanup, along with a Humanitarian Service Medal, a National Defense Medal, and a Global War on Terrorism medal for his tour in Iraq.

He also served and retired from the Montana Department of Transportation, maintaining roads throughout the Flathead Valley and keeping them safe and reliable for everyone who traveled them.

Daryl was preceded in death by his father, Charles Lee Culbert.

He is survived by his wife, Sue Anderson, whom he loves with every part of his soul; his son Daniel McKnight; his mother, Bonnie Lou Culbert; and his siblings, Shari Culbert, Doug Culbert, David Culbert, and Dale Culbert.

A funeral service with full military honors will be held at 4 p.m. on Sept. 10 at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.