John Chirstian Hauck, Jr.

Lolo - John Christian Hauck, Jr, 83, passed away peacefully on September 4, 2022 at St. Patrick’s hospital in Missoula due to complications from a severe stroke. John was born in Butte, Montana on August 29, 1939 to John and Mary Taaffe Hauck. He attended McKinley Grade School and Butte High School. After high school, he attended boot camp with the United States Marine Corp in California for 6 months where he earned the lifelong nickname of “Gunny” for his humorous impersonations of the gunnery sergeant. He attended the University of Montana (UM), graduating in 1963, and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He always attended high school reunions and UM homecomings. After graduation, he earned his CPA certificate, embarked on a career in accounting, and started a family. He worked at Newland and Blinn, CPA firm, and Montana Power Company until 1968 when the family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where he worked as an internal auditor for the Kennecott Copper Company until 1977. John continued accounting work as controller and other positions for Skaggs Companies, American Stores, Teleflex Defense Systems, and Canton Industrial until 1996 when he purchased a Blimpie Sandwich Shop (which he named Gunny Incorporated) and became an expert in the art of making a submarine sandwich until he retired in 2004. In 2005, John and Mary Lou built a house on family property near the Bitterroot River in Lolo and they officially became residents of Montana again. John enjoyed retirement in Missoula where he could spend holidays with family members, attend local sporting events, and participate in activities with members of his fraternity and friends. He also volunteered at his church, mowing the grass and serving on the finance committee. John was an avid skier, tennis player and runner. He was a member of a racquet club and played tennis often with friends, in a men’s league or with a group of couples. He spent many weekends on the ski slopes near Salt Lake City and was always excited to have relatives join him at the many resorts nearby. He continued skiing in his 60s and 70s. John became a regular runner in his 40s and participated in many 5K and 10K races in Salt Lake and later in Missoula. His last race was in the Montana Governor’s Cup in Helena in 2015, at the age of 75. John enjoyed watching sports, whether it was NFL and NBA teams or grandkids’ soccer and baseball games. He traveled many miles to watch relatives play or coach in various games and sports. He was a dedicated Montana Grizzly football fan, purchasing season tickets ten years before moving to Missoula in order to get “good seats”. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend to us all, John (“Gunny”, “Jack”) is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Lou Murphy Hauck; his son John Hauck (Marlene), grandchildren Jared and Katelyn, and son Jim Hauck (Carol), grandchildren Emmett and Tyler, all of Billings; his siblings, Frederic Moriarty (Donna) of Midway, Utah, Tom Hauck of Missoula, Jane Moriarty Van Dyk (Tom) of Billings, and Mary Rasmussen (Ronn) of Anchorage, Alaska, sisters-in-law, Eleanore Hauck of Missoula and Virginia Ellison (Pat) of Chandler, Arizona; numerous cousins, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and various other relatives and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Taafe Hauck, stepmother, Elizabeth Moriarty Hauck, and brothers, Bob Hauck, and Bill Moriarty. A devoted Catholic, John was a member of the Spirit of Christ Catholic Church in Lolo, Montana. A vigil service will be held Sunday night September 11 at 7:00 PM at the Spirit of Christ Catholic Church, 5475 Farm Lane, in Lolo. A funeral mass will take place at the Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 1475 Eaton Street, in Missoula on September 12th at 11:00 AM with a reception following. A burial service for all relatives will follow the reception at Riverside Cemetery off the Eastside Highway south of Stevensville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John’s honor to Spirit of Christ Catholic Church in care of Father Ed Hislop, 1475 Eaton Street, Missoula Montana 59801 or the University of Montana Foundation. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.

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