Brian G. Cantu

Brian G. Cantu, 36, of Missoula, Montana passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, February 18, 2022.
Brian was born April 22, 1985, in Missoula, the youngest child of Octavio and Kathy Cantu.

After graduating high school Brian became a wildland fire fighter, having the opportunity to travel and assist many communities during a desperate time, he notably was deployed with his unit to the Hurricane Katrina recovery response. After his time fighting fire, he found his way to the oil fields of North Dakota. He worked there for over 11 years, honing his skills in heavy equipment operation and mechanics. In January 2008 Brian met the former Shekinah VonGulner, they celebrated 10 years of marriage before his death. To their union three daughters were born: Nalani, Takara and Catalina. Shekinah and the girls were Brian’s great loves. He was excited to have recently found a position with Diversified Materials that would allow him and his family to move back to Missoula.

Brian was the type of guy who would use his skills to make life better for somebody else. He was an excellent auto mechanic, especially skilled with Hondas, and would fix friends cars for nearly nothing just to make it easier on them. He loved building and installing stereos and listening to the music they produced. He was quiet but had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. Brian will be remembered as a guy who was easy to like and could make nearly anybody smile.

Brian was preceded in death by his mother Kathy Cantu (Nee: Sandefur) and his grandparents.
Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife Shekinah Cantu; cherished daughters Nalani, Takara, and Catalina; his loving father Octavio “Augie” Cantu; his dear siblings: Brooke (Josh) Block, Brad (Jennifer Hupp) Cantu, Juan (Stefani) Cantu, Tammi (Mark) Nichols and Juanita (Marc) Ostrem; he is also survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and numerous friends.


In Brian's honor friends may donate to a GoFundMe: