Craig Alvin Guenther

Craig Alvin Guenther, 76 passed away after a short illness surrounded by his family on June 6, 2026. Craig was born on February 25, 1950 in Los Angeles, CA to Wallace & Marilyn Guenther. Craig was a loving and wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend.

Craig married Debra Ward and together they had 4 children, Michael, Mathew, Lindsay & Sarah. They later divorced and Craig married Judy Wertz and they had 2 children Carly (deceased) & Cody. Craig loved his family more than anything and talked/text them all frequently. 

Craig was a gentle soul that had a love of sports from a very young age. Most of all he loved playing football. He played Pop Warner football then high school football and it continued on as he played at San Diego State where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Physical Education and Math. In addition to his family, friends, & sports Craig loved building anything with wood, riding his bike, & putting puzzles together.

After living in the Coachella Valley for nearly 50 years, Craig and his family moved to Bozeman, MT after Judy retired in 2021. After moving to Bozeman, one of Craig and Judy’s favorite things to do was to attend MSU Bobcat sports, especially football. Craig was fortunate enough to be able to attend the College National Championship football game in Nashville, TN this January where he had the best time celebrating the Cats win and watching his son, Cody, play in the Spirit of the West Marching band.

Craig was a math teacher for a total of 38½ years at Indio HS, La Quinta HS and Horizon. He loved teaching and was his happiest around students. Craig coached the girls’ volleyball team from Indio to a Southern Section Women’s Volleyball Championship title in 1983, and is currently the only coach to win that title in volleyball for Indio. Craig also coached the Indio high school softball team for a number of years and was very successful with that as well.

Craig is survived by his wife, Judy, sons Cody of Bozeman, Michael (Sarah), Austin TX, Mathew (Michelle), Los Angeles, CA and daughters Lindsay Guenther of Indio, CA and Sarah (Stuart) Hayden of Las Vegas, NV. He is also survived by his brother Rich (Carol), sister Nancy (Carl) and grandchildren Dashiell, Langston, Wesley, Jonah, & Briar as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Craig was preceded in death by his parents Marilyn & Wally Guenther, stepfather Baker McPhate, a daughter Carly, father and mother-in-law’s Jack and Mary Jo Wertz, brother and sister-in-law’s Dan & Linda Wertz, brother- in-law Charlie Cyr, & niece Hiedi Guenther.

A celebration of life will be held on July 7, 2026 at 12:00 at the Clyde Park Community Center in Clyde Park, Montana. The internment of ashes will take place at a later date at the Clyde Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers we request that you please make a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, a local Food Bank or a charity of your choosing.