Mr. Donald William Vega passed away on Saturday, May 01, 2021, at Big Sky Senior Living, with his loving wife, Carol, at his side.  His great-grandson, Brydan, Don's constant source of love and support for the past nine years, was holding his grandmother's hand as Don left this world to be in the arms of Jesus and once again united with his daughter, Donielle.

Don was born in Butte, Montana on September 02, 1937, the son of Alfonzo and Elizabeth (McDonald) Vega.  Raised on the East Side with 3 brothers and 6 sisters, Don was the sixth of ten children.  Don began his education at the Grant Elementary School, where he played on the City Championship winning football team.  He also received several metals in speedskating.  He graduated from Butte High School and went on to proudly serve his Country in the United States Army as an MP (Military Police) in Germany.

After being Honorably Discharged from the Military, he returned to Butte, where he met his wife of 55 years, Carol Cunningham. They were married on March 17, 1964 and were blessed with four children: Stacy, Donielle, Kimberly, and John.  Together, they enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Italy, and Spain.

Don attended Montana Tech, working as a School Bus driver for Ralph Olsen while attending college.  In 1970, he graduated from the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana, where he once again was employed as a School Bus Driver for St. Anthony's.  He continued working toward his Master's Degree at Western Montana College in Dillon, Montana, while working for the ACM (Anaconda Copper Mining Company.  In 1972, Don began his career in Law Enforcement, working for the Montana State Justice Department.  Retiring in 2008, Don received several honors and certificates throughout his long career.  After retirement, Don worked as a security guard at the Bert Mooney Airport.

In addition to his wife, Carol, Don is survived by his daughter, Stacy (Rick) Hoadley; his grandchildren, Tasha Fox, Coy (Morgan) Putra, Donnie (Yajaira) Putra, Ashley (Dave) Segna, and Michael (Nichole) Biers III; and 9 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his brother, Al (Phyllis) Vega, Kenneth (Sandra) Vega, and Thomas P. Vega; his sisters, Christina Patritti, Theresa Olson, and Elizabeth Simonich; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; children, Donielle, Kimberly, and John; and sisters, Mercedes McChesney, Sue Fagliano, and Vinnie Peal.

Friends are asked to join the family on Friday after 11:00 am is St. Patrick's Catholic Church.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 PM (noon).  Rite of Committal and Military Honors will follow in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Butte Emergency Food Bank or the Butte Central Education Fund.