Andy Vandolah

 Leonard “Andy” Vandolah found peace from his pain and complications of dementia when he passed on December 31, 2024. Andy celebrated his 77 birthday two days before his death surrounded by family. Andy was born in 1947 in Townsend, MT. He was born to Melvin Franklin Vandolah (Missouri) and Charlotte Isabelle Billman (Livingston). He was a miracle baby as he was the surviving twin and the youngest of 8 siblings. He was so small that they took him home in a shoebox. Andy grew up in the small town of Three Forks, Montana, where he spent many days hanging out with his many friends and family members. As a high schooler, Andy was an incredible athlete. He was a successful guard and captain in his senior year on the basketball team. Andy played football sharing captain duties his junior and senior year and did track as well. He was a member of many clubs including Demolay, “T” Club, Annual Staff, and FFA to name a few. 

 Upon graduation in 1966, Andy married his first wife, Betty Cooper. They had their first born son, Doug, and made a simple life staying in Three Forks as Andy worked at the Talc Plant. Andy was a prideful man and didn’t want to ask anyone for help until he had eaten one too many meals made of gizzards. His father and big brother bought the family groceries and saved the family. After spending a short stint in Three Forks, Andy and Betty moved to Lewistown where Andy worked for the railroad before moving again to Bozeman, Montana. During his stay in Bozeman, Andy was employed by the dairy plant, Darigold. In 1967, the family made another move to Dillon, Montana, so Andy could attend Western Montana College where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Education. He received his Master’s degree in History and Physical Education and a minor in Biology. While completing his degree, Andy welcomed his second child, a daughter, Diane, born in 1968. After graduating college, Andy and his family moved to Plevna, Montana, where he got his first teaching and coaching job. Andy also got his first taste of cowboy life while in Plevna when he purchased his first horse. A beautiful, big Appaloosa horse was his dream horse. He couldn’t catch or ride very well, but he loved it. He also bought a pony named Cocoa for Doug and Diane. Moving seemed to be a part of his life’s journey as Andy wrapped up his time in Plevna and moved to a bigger district at Box Elder. He again was hired as a teacher and a coach for the boy’s basketball and track teams. While in Box Elder, Andy was able to take his basketball team to state for the first time in school history. He was a loved coach and was honored with a star blanket, a headdress, and much fanfare. Two years passed quickly in Box Elder and then Andy and his family moved again to his final home of Conrad, Montana, in 1975. Andy was hired to coach basketball and track, and teach History and P.E. Andy was an intense coach that worked hard to help his athletes excel in sports and in life. He was awarded Conference Coach of the Year in 1974-1975, and 1979. Coaching created many bonds for Andy among his players, school staff, community, and the bottom of the team bench. Another beautiful blessing came to Andy in 1976 when his third daughter, Deena, was born. She ended up being his caretaker in his last few years of life. 

Besides teaching, Andy spent many summers playing softball and supplementing his income by adjusting for IGF, John Deere, and Hudson crop insurance companies. He retired early from teaching and coaching and decided to run for County Superintendent of Schools. He served in this office from 1981-1992 and then decided to run for the position of State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Unfortunately, the win was not for Andy, but he made many new acquaintances while campaigning which led to his appointment by the Board of

Athletics to be Montana’s Boxing Commissioner. He was fortunate enough to work with two well known fighters from Montana, Todd Foster and Marvin Camel. Andy helped Montana gain the attention of the boxing top rank promoters and also worked with Senator John McCain to create uniform rules for each state regarding the welfare of all boxers. They created a U.S. Boxing Bill and the World Boxing Commission’s first Boxing Medical Congress. These connections led to Andy being named to the Presidency of the American Boxing Commissions, National Association of Boxing, World Boxing Commission, and finally to the Board of 12 Governors representing North America. As busy as Andy was with his boxing commitments, he also continued to work his way up the ladder in the Hail Adjusting world. From 1992-2009, Andy worked with various insurance companies starting as an adjuster during the summer time to regional director then regional manager. Soon, he became regional Vice President of Sales and Marketing and advanced quickly to Territory Manager to Director of Business Development. Finally, he became the National Accounts Manager when he officially retired in 2009 from Hudson Crop Insurance. 

 After divorcing his first wife in 1992, Andy remarried Anita White who was working as Clerk of Court at Pondera County Courthouse. They had a private ceremony in Georgia with some of their boxing friends. Andy was welcomed by Anita’s family and he gained four stepdaughters in the marriage: Terri, Tracie, Sherri, and Toni. Andy and Anita shared a common love for traveling, especially to visit her sister and brother-in-law in Washington. They also enjoyed shopping for antiques, hunting, fishing, golfing, gambling, camping, and being a part of the boxing world where they got to travel extensively throughout the U.S. as well as Europe and Cuba. The other interest they shared was a love for Pugs. Andy got his one and only tattoo of his beloved Pug, Wilson. 

Andy was grandpa to many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Spending time with his family or calling them on his phone was so important to him. Andy and Anita’s health began to decline, so it became important for Andy to stay connected with family however he could. He relied on using his phone to connect with others and was often calling family just to say hello. 

 During Andy’s time in Conrad, he was involved in many community groups where he met some of his closest friends. Andy was a member of the Moose Lodge, Pondera Golf Club, and the Lion’s Club. He was honored to be the 2024 Grand Marshal for the Whoop Up Days Parade. He spent a few days each week sharing laughter and good conversation with his coffee crew and his thirsty Thursday friends. Andy had so many great friends who he cherished, however his best friend, Paul Stenerson, was by his side from his coaching and teaching days to his last few days of life. His family is forever grateful for the love and support of many residents of Conrad who helped Andy in his time of need. 

 Andy had many accomplishments in his life and he had experienced more injuries to one body than anyone could imagine, but his outlook on life was always bright, he had a kind soul and would give anyone anything if he could. He was humorous and had a great personality. He was well known for his one-liners (That’s a Fact Jack), and he had a strong love for his family and cat, Skeeter.

 Andy was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Charlotte, brothers (Melvin/”Jim” (Naomi), Kenneth/”Pete” (Stacy), and Harold/”Pug” (Marlene), sisters Joan/”Tootsie” (Jim), Alice/”Snookie” (George), Elsie/”Sister” (Bob), and Sandy (Wayne), wife (Anita), and stepdaughter (Terri). Andy is survived by his children Doug (Katie) Vandolah of Choteau, Diane (Brad) Brown of Billings, Deena Breckenridge of Conrad, Cheryl (Scott) Harwood of Havre and stepchildren Tracie Debolt of Great Falls, Sherri (Joe) Judisch of Conrad, Toni White of Conrad. Grandchildren include Lindsey Vandolah, Ashley (Brett) Kuca, Austin Brown, Clayton (Taylor) Brown, Ethan Brown, Foster Brown, Lane West, Tristan West, Kellen (Kylie) Judisch, Kyle Judisch, Taylor (Michael) Crandell, Drew Debolt, Kinsey Harris, MaClay Harris, Tavin Harris, and numerous nieces, nephews and great grandchildren. 

 Memorials in Andy’s honor can be made to the Moose Lodge or Lion’s Club in Conrad, Montana, where he was a member for many years. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life is planned for Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 am at Conrad First Presbyterian Church. A reception at the Conrad Moose Lodge to follow.