Joseph Thomas Podgurski, 86, of Missoula, passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at his home.

Joe was born April 6, 1940 in Manhattan, NY, to John and Mary (Shamanski) Podgurski. Joe attended school in Succasunna, NJ. In 1957, at the age of 17, he proudly enlisted in the United States Air Force, answering the call to serve his country.

When he was honorably discharge in 1961, he went to work as machinist for the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. He married Joyce Batty, and with that union they had two sons Joseph Podgurski. and Dwayne Podgurski. They later divorced.

After a family trip to Montana, Joe fell in love with the outdoor life and loaded up his corvette and headed to Big Sky country to work and live the cowboy life. He met Anita Nichols and married and together they worked the rodeo life with Kessler Pro Rodeo Company, living their life on “love and Salted Nut Rolls.”. After leaving the rodeo life, he and Anita made their home in Missoula, enjoying gardening, hunting, fly fishing, and his love for cats. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and the Montana Rodeo Association.

Survivors include his wife, Anita (Nichols) Podgurski, Missoula; his sons and their families, Joe (Gayle) Podgurski , Rockville, Indiana and Dwayne (Shelley) Podgurski, Orange Beach, Alabama; two sisters, Carol West, Sugarland, Texas, and Mary (Jim) Beal, Estero, Florida; one brother, Mike Podgurski, New Orleans, Louisiana; Seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother John Podgurski.

A Graveside Service with Full Military Honor  will be held, July 28th at 12:00 pm at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery, 1911 Tower St, Missoula MT. The service will be lived streamed for those that cannot attend at :( (ctrl click to follow link)

https://www.gardencityfh.com/obituaries/joseph-podgurski