David Kulawinski, 71

David James Kulawinski “Alpo Dave”

On Friday, June 20, 2025, David took the Highway to Heaven for his final ride. David was born Feb. 13, 1954 in Eugene, Ore. to parents Richard and Florence Kulawinski, and was raised on Mullan Road in Missoula.

As a young man David liked to travel and saw a lot of the country in his teens hitchhiking.

David was a hard worker and worked at a wide variety of jobs over the years. He worked in a grocery store in New York State at age 15, built carrot and gas factories in Texas. He worked at and built numerous lumber mills, was an appliance salesman, a Railroad employee for 12 years, owned his own contracting company. He was a proud union carpenter, and built several industrial buildings and bridges, as well as beautiful homes. Finish carpentry was his favorite.

David met the love of his life, Debi, while working for the railroad in 1978. They settled down on a small piece of property in Plains MT, where he built them a home, and where he would live the rest of his life.

They were married on April 23, 1983. David always made sure Debi knew how much he loved her. Little love notes could be found around the home any time he went somewhere and he was known for asking her to dance at the most unexpected times.

David was blessed with three children; Polly, Chelsea, and Jacob, whom he treasured. He was an amazing father.

David took pride in his role as Papa to his grandkids. Always making sure they had something fun to do such as teaching them how to build snow forts, making a dirt pit for them to excavate, giving them rides on the lawn mower, four-wheeler, and the Kawasaki Mule. Helping them cultivate the skills to make things with their own hands was important. Spending time with the grandkids made him happy and he was always elated when they would come to his shop to ask him what he was doing as it gave him a chance to bond and create shared interests. And of coarse to get their M & M’s from his shop fridge. (One for each year old they were PLUS one more.)

He was kept busy and almost always had something he was working on. You could regularly find him puttering around in his shop listening to music. David’s shop was a treasure trove that told the story of his years in this world. If you needed it, it was safe to say Dave probably had it, including things you never would have expected.. On the rare occasion he sat still, he enjoyed playing Rummy, visiting with family and friends, and watching Spaghetti Westerns as well as carving.

Harley Davidson Motorcycles were a huge passion for David. He loved to ride them and the brotherhood bond created riding with others. He enjoyed working on them just as much as riding, whether it was his bike or someone else's.

David loved to spend time outdoors fishing, boating and chasing the “Big One.” at hunting camp.

Dave is survived by his wife, Debi, his children; Polly (Darwin), Chelsea, Jake (Ricki), his grandchildren Suthern, Briauna, Lacey, Alexander and Kayden, siblings; Fran (Don), Richard (Gayla), Andy (Ruthie), Steve (Diane), Dan, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Florence, and siblings Colleen and Robin.

A luncheon will be held at the VFW in Plains on August 2, 2025 at 2 p.m. to celebrate his life and to share memories.  A motorcycle ride around the Perma triangle will leave the Wildhorse Saloon in Plains at noon.