Carl Black
Carl “Dusty” Black was called to his happy hunting grounds on Oct. 25, 2021, at the Musselshell Mountains.
Dusty was born to Elva Peaslee and Bernard “Big Ben the Bear Hunter” on a Friday the 13th in January, 1956. He grew up on their family farm where they primarily took care of dairy cows; in fact some of his earliest memories included waking up early to make sure they were milked before the day could start. It was the formative years on the farm where he learned how to be a hard worker that was taught and modeled to him by his father. Life on the farm not only was about hard work but it is also where Dusty learned his crazy, mischievous ways with his big brother, Bronco. Dusty fondly recalled their blackberry picking adventures when they were supposed to gather for their mom to make pie but instead found themselves eating blackberries off the bush and subsequently running in to a black bear and losing the rest of their blackberries on the run home.
Following Bronco and Dusty were his two sisters Lisa and Lori and later his youngest brother, Joe. Dusty loved being their big brother and, of course, would be annoyed only as big brothers can be. His love of hunting started at a young age, he shot his first deer at the age of 12 and was very proud of his doe. He ran back to get help and his Uncle Lloyd was able to help him. Dusty being Dusty decided to trick his dad into believing that he shot a big buck. Uncle Lloyd and Dusty nailed horns to the deer's head, and it almost worked but Bernie was quick to catch on. He loved to dance with his ma in their small cabin to old country music and play drums for a polka band at the bar at a young age. He was proud to be Bloomer Blackhawk c/o ’74, so much so that he would boom in a radio announcer’s voice “Caaarl BLACK number 69 for the Blackhawks!!!!”. It was during his tenure as a football player that he earned his Wisconsin nickname of 'Cubby' because he growled when he was on the line. After losing his Dad Dusty opened his first bar, Salisbury Bar located right on Salisbury Lake and enjoyed a fun few years in Wisconsin serving chilled mugs, playing spoons to the tune of “Hamburger” by Led Zeppelin, and creating memories and unforgettable stories with Pat Klatt and Duke Pederson.
After his venture in Wisconsin, he followed the trail to Montana and stopped in Wolf Point for a temporary job and stayed for the next 40 years. He was a man of many talents with some of his notable jobs including working for Marvin Brookman/ Brookman Rodeo and being a part of the 1987 Las Vegas NFR Crew. In addition to his roughstock cowboy ways Dusty continued his craft of bartending for Flynn's Bar, Harry’s Night Club and Cattleman’s until he opened his own bar, Dad's Bar, alongside his wife, Patti Jo, in 2008. During his time at Wolf Point, he created lifelong friendships and made family with many of the people he worked with and served. It was in Wolf Point as well where he became the father to his beloved son, Tanner, in 1986. He loved the 19 years he had with Tanner but missed him immensely after his passing in 2005. In 2006, Dusty met the love of his life, Patti Jo O’Brien, and they married in Vegas in 2007. Together, they built their life on their homestead north of Wolf Point, managing their business and centering their life around hunting season in the fall and pontoon/camping season in the summer. He loved his “Fluff” and showed his love by making sure she was well taken care of. He loved cooking for her, camping with her and going on little adventures. Even more so, he loved how she took care of him and made his little bachelor pad into a true home. Along with Patti Jo, Dusty inherited her two daughters as stepdaughters, however he enjoyed the responsibility and opportunity to raise the youngest Kaileen as his own. Over the last 15 years of his life with Patti Jo, Dusty also inherited the title of papa to five grandsons and one granddaughter who he said inherited his blue eyes.
Dusty understood the preciousness and fleetingness of life. This understanding allowed him to follow and do what he was passionate about which included hunting, fishing, camping, trapshooting, poker and visiting his beloved friends. He was always up for adventure or a good time as long as it was only a drive away. He looked forward to his yearly elk hunting trip and helping guide Wisconsin family and friends with their hunt locally during November. Also enjoyed his many hunts and fishing trips with his friends and family locally and especially enjoyed helping his daughter Kaileen and son-inlaw James with their first kills.
Dusty is survived by his beloved wife, Patti Jo; daughter, Kaileen (James) Stovern; stepdaughter, Adriann (Griffin) Ricker; sisters, Lisa (Roy) Baldry and Lori Pickthorn; brother, Joe Black; grandchildren, Kaniel, Grady, Emma, John, Zael and Jameson; numerous nieces, nephews, close friends who he considered family and who he held closely in his heart; his daughter, Tia, and her two children and his grandson from his son, Tanner.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bronco; son, Tanner; brother-inlaw, Lane Pickthorn; and niece, Brittany.
Dusty’s lesson to us all is to do what you love, take care of what you love and always be open for a good time. He will be missed by so many he called friends and family and most importantly by his wife and love of his life Patti Jo. “I ain’t here for a long time, I’m here for a good time” travel well Dusty Roads.
A viewing was held on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, at 10 a.m. at Dusty & Patti Jo’s Homestead in Wolf Point. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
(Paid Obituary)
