Barry 'Spook' Stang

Our beloved Dad, Grandpa and friend “Senator” Barry “Spook” Stang passed away Jan. 21 2023 in Helena.

Spook was born the middle child of three in Missoula on Dec. 5, 1950 to Leo and Angie Stang. He spent his formative years in Missoula until Leo moved the family to St. Regis, in 1958 to open Stang’s Food City. The grocery store was a family enterprise where all five of them worked, played and even had a few arguments throughout the years.

St. Regis is where he grew up and it has always held a special place in his heart. As is the case in most small towns he was a band and sports kid. He loved all sports and was apparently the third best player to ever strap on a helmet at St. Regis High. Right behind Jim Jensen and Chris Moore. It took only one drink, Tequila of course, to hear of the epic football battles between St. Regis and Superior in the 1960s.

Spook was good with knifes and numbers, and numbers brought him to Carrol College. While pursing a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Carroll he met many life-long friends, which was another thing he was great at, being a friend. He took an accounting job in Helena after graduation where he met the mother of his two children JoAnn Harris (McGarvey).

Spook and JoAnn were married in Butte and moved to Hamilton where his daughter Mandi was born in 1977. Shortly thereafter the family of three moved back to St. Regis, where he exchanged numbers for knifes and became the butcher alongside his father Leo at Stang’s Food City. His son Ryan was born in 1979 to complete the family of four. Spook was a great friend and an even better Dad. If you needed to find him the first place to look was at one of Ryan or Mandi’s sporting events. He was always in the front row with his popcorn cheering them on and “instructing” the refs. He remained steadfast and true to their every need long after their school days ended. In addition to being an outstanding dad to Mandi and Ryan he always stood out as a champion father figure to all of their friends throughout the years as well.

While working at Stang’s Food City he started his next career as a politician, the good kind. He was elected to the state Legislature in 1986, and then the state Senate in 1992. He loved helping people and looking out for the little guy. He had numerous friends on both sides of the aisle and was known for his ability to work with both parties. The stories and achievements from his years in Helena can’t be done justice in the time we have here. But we will recount as many as we can as we celebrate his life.

His bipartisanship would serve him well in his next career as Executive Vice President of the Motor Carriers of Montana. His 14 years of legislative experience proved beneficial while at the trucking association where he strived to make the roads safer through legislative action and public outreach. He worked there until his retirement in 2020.

Although Spook and JoAnn ended their marriage in 1994, he could still be found at JoAnn and Jimmy’s house with the rest of the Stang clan for Christmas dinners.

Spook later had the opportunity to rekindle his romance with Daun Clemens and jumped at the chance which also gave him another opportunity to do some of the Dad things he so enjoyed. He loved Daun and her kids Ty and Evan. Daun and Spook had a shared loved of boating and much of their vacation time together was enjoyed on a lake or river. Spook especially enjoyed his Harley motorcycling trips with his cousin mike, ATV adventures in Arizona, and he would never turn down a bird-hunting excursion.

A world without Spook is a very difficult place for his family and numerous friends to comprehend but he loved his people, lived life to the fullest, and will be missed immensely.

Preceding Spook in death are his parents Leo and Angie Stang; brother-in-law Bob Pickering; and his hunting buddy Bob, his beloved dog.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Mandi and Bill Brunckhorst; Grandchildren Kylee and Ryan Brunckhorst; his son Ryan Stang; Sister Judy Stang; Brother and sister-in-law Richard and Nancy Stang; Niece and Nephew Larissa Moe and Eric Stang; Dear fiends Daun, Evan and Ty Clemens

Funeral service will be at 11:00am on Saturday January, 28th at St. Mary Queen of Heaven in Superior, MT. Burial to follow at the St. Regis cemetery. A reception following the services will take place at the Trestle Creek Golf Course in St. Regis. In lieu of flowers, Spook’s family asks that a donation be made to a charity of your choice.

A Celebration of life will also take place at Jorgensons in Helena on Feb. 17 starting at 5 p.m., for those unable to make it to St. Regis. Please feel free to attend both if you like.