Joseph Antonne Kump, 87, of Butte, Montana, passed away on August 14, 2026. He was born on April 11, 1939, in Butte to Joseph and Emily Kump. Joe was raised on the east side of Butte, where he made lifelong friends and memories.

Joe attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and graduated from Butte Central Boys High School in 1957. From a young age, he understood the value of hard work, beginning at just 11 years old setting pins at a local bowling alley.

After graduation, Joe moved to Great Falls, Montana, where he worked in construction before enlisting in the Marine Reserve at Camp Pendleton in 1959. Upon returning to Butte, he went to work for the Louis Cohn Company.

Joe met the love of his life, Carol Kochevar, and the two were married on August 7, 1965. Together they built a loving family, welcoming three sons—Joe, Ron, and Mike—and, 11 years later, were blessed with their daughter, Amy.

Joe later worked at the Safeway Warehouse until its closure in 1983. He held various jobs before beginning his career with the United States Postal Service, where he worked until his retirement in 2001.

Joe was very proud of his Slovenian heritage. One of his treasured memories was traveling back to Slovenia with his brothers and sisters, where he was able to see where his father grew up and meet many of his relatives.

More than anything, Joe was proud of his family. As the oldest of 10 children, he was deeply loved and admired by his brothers and sisters. He especially cherished time spent at the family cabin, where annual Fourth of July celebrations brought together his siblings and their families. Joe also enjoyed a lifetime of hunting in the mountains around the cabin, followed by gatherings filled with stories, games, and laughter.

Joe learned to hunt and fish from his father at a very young age and proudly shared that love of the outdoors with his boys and grandsons. Many summers were spent camping, primarily in the Big Hole Valley and at the Dead Sea (Clark Canyon), creating memories that became an important part of his family's story.

Aside from his love of the outdoors, Joe loved sports of all kinds. He was a proud fan of Notre Dame, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He played on a men's softball team that won a state championship, and he was an exceptional bowler, rolling his first 300 game at the age of 68.

Joe continued his love of sports by coaching each of his three sons to city championships in baseball. He was a strong supporter of Butte Central, but he could also be fo8und cheering for Butte High, as he was proud of all things Butte. Joe traveled across the state watching his children and grandchildren participate in any activity they loved. While Joe loved the outdoors and sports, his softer side came through when he was blessed with his only daughter. He embraced the yearly fashion shows, dance recitals, and cheerleading events with pride and joy. That same love, patience, and kindness carried on through the special bond he shared with his granddaughters. His grandchildren were definitely his most cherished blessing in life.

Joe will be remembered for his strong work ethic, devotion to family, pride in his heritage, love of the outdoors, and unwavering support of those he loved. His life reflected perseverance, loyalty, kindness, deep Catholic faith, and a strong dedication to family, friends, and the Butte community.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Emily Kump; his in-laws, Joseph and Frances Kochevar; his sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Chaun Cadwell; and his brother- and sisters-in-law, Edward and Beverly Kochevar and Louis and Marie Loushin.

Joe is survived by his wife, Carol; his children, Joe (Melissa), Ron (Karley), Mike (Kari), and Amy (Josh) Aylesworth; and his grandchildren, Daniel and Henry Harrington, Hunter and Quinn Kump, Tyler, Tanner and Maddi Kump, and Ben, Grace and Addison Aylesworth. Siblings, Gary Kump, Dave Kump, Robert (Lynda) Kump, Leah (Jack) McCarthy, John (Teri) Kump, Julie (Steve) Walsh, Karen (Steve) Workman, Mark (Anita) Kump, and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved and was very proud of.

Special thanks are extended to the entire staff in the memory care unit at The Springs, as well as the staff at Beehive Hospice, for the patience, love, and care they provided Joe.

Memorial donations may be made to the Butte Central Catholic Foundation or to a donor's charity of choice.

Visitation will be held Monday, August 24, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann's Parish, with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow at St. Ann's Hall.