Antony M. “Tony” McLees, age 50 of Helena

Antony (Tony) Michael McLees

In the early morning hours of January 31, 2026, Tony lost his months long fight to recover from a recent surgery.

At the time of his passing Tony was holding the hand of his wife and best friend Jamie and was surrounded by family and friends, or as he would call them, his Framily.

On July 01, 1975, In Missoula Montana, Tony was introduced to the world as the second child to Gary and Mary McLees joining his sister Mary. Tony was raised in the Roman Catholic faith and held many of his Catholic teaching close to his heart.

When Tony was a year old, the McLees family moved from Missoula Montana to Helena Montana where they stayed for 12 years before moving to Chandler Arizona.  Although Tony spent his teen years in Arizona, he felt Montana would always be his home.  In 1994, the day after graduating from Dobson High in Chandler, Tony packed up his belongings and moved home to Helena where he stayed until 2021 when his work took him to Billings Montana. Tony and his family lived in Billings until the time of his passing.

During his teen years Tony lived his life as many teens do, and found himself in a little hot water, which landed him in the first of many Taekwondo classes. It was at this time that he found his love of the sport, earning the rankings of black belt at 15, training instructor at 16, and leading him to become the owner of McLees ATA in Helena in 1994. His passion, discipline, and friendship allowed him to shape the lives of many children and adults until 2001 when he closed his school to joined the military.

While in the Army, Tony served with the 37^th Field Artillery Unit from 2001-2005.  In 2003 he was deployed to Iraq where he was stationed until 2005.  Tony was very patriotic and was extremely proud of being able to serve and protect his country. His love and pride for his country and service time came second only to the love he held for his wife and daughters.

Not long after receiving an honorable discharge in 2005 Tony began working as a Switchman for Montana Rail Link. Shortly after starting with the railroad, he took the test to become a Locomotive Engineer, a title he held for the remainder of his time with the railroad. During a stretch of railroad furlough, Tony decided to travel to Alaska and work for the railroad there and served as a Breakman for several months until the furlough came to an end and he could return home. In 2024, Montana Rail Link merged with Burlington Northern where he continued to work until the time of his passing.

Tony welcomed his daughter Madison (“Little M”) on November 15, 2006.  She brought a light to his eyes in a way that had never been seen before. Over the next 19 years, “Little M” remained his greatest accomplishment and his biggest pride and joy.

Tony and Jamie have an amazing love story which started in 1994 on the drag in Helena when young, and maybe a little overly sure of himself, Tony was out “chasing girls” and jumped into a carload of girls he didn’t know. That night, when she looked into his kind eyes, Jamie fell in love at first sight and instantly knew that he would be the one she would spend the rest of her life with. While there were a few stolen kisses over the next 24 years Tony and Jamie lived separate lives raising families of their own.  Still feeling that something was missing that their hearts needed, and in 2017 they found each other and the missing piece that would make the rest of their lives whole. Not long after their first date Tony asked Jamie’s mom, Debbie, for permission to marry her daughter as he wanted to “make sure he did things right this time”. Of course Debbie said yes, and the hunt for a ring started.  All Tony knew was that Jamie loved sparkly things and wanted to give her exactly what he knew she would have wanted, so off he went to the jewelry store to find a ring with just the right amount of sparkle. After a few misses with what the jeweler thought was enough sparkle, Tony started walking the store, and there it was, the ring with just the right amount of sparkle. Tony bought the ring and put it into hiding until just the right time, although Jamie just about found the ring a few times and put Tony into a few fits of the sweats the right time did eventually come along.  The perfect time was August 23, 2017 during a date to the Jackson Creek Saloon. After carrying the ring around in his pocket all day, and another fit of the sweats, Tony finally popped the question and on August 18, 2018, the piece of  each of them that had been missing for 32 years was finally put into place.  Their love was filled with laughter, joy, passion, and was one that other can only dream of having.

Their union brought each of them a bonus daughter named Madison to love as if they were their own. Over the years having two Madisons have caused many questions, from people not familiar with the situation, as to why parents would name their children the same thing. For clarification, it was always explained that each had a bonus daughter named Madison with Tony’s being “Little M” and Jamie’s being “Maddie”.  Knowing that others were a little confused by the names, as they saw no difference in the way each child was loved, is a testament to how much each parent cherished their bonus child.

Tony’s mother, Mary, was Spanish and he was very proud of his Spanish heritage. It was something that shaped part of his life, and he loved to travel to Spain for visits with his distant relatives.  He was fortunate enough to take “Little M” to Spain as a young child to introduce her to her extended family and show her part of their heritage with the hopes that she would grow to love it as much as he did.  Rumor has it that there is still an unpaid speeding ticket there with his name on it!

Tony was quick with a smile and you always knew if he was around because laughter filled the air. No matter where Tony was, what he was doing, or who he was with, you could always be assured that there was some kind of shenanigan happening and belly laughs could be heard all around.

Tony loved to travel, cook, hunt, camp, build complex Lego figures, and watch Real Madrid CF soccer, but most of all he loved his family, his framily, and his friends.

Tony has joined his parents, Gary and Mary; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.  He is survived, and will forever be missed by his wife Jamie McLees (Vargo); daughter Madison (“Little M”) McLees; bonus daughter Madison (“Maddie”) Eva; sister and brother-in-law Mary and Dane Sark; uncle Johnny McLees; nieces; nephews; extended family both stateside and in Spain; special furry four legged family Bently and Bella; grand kitty Scuttle; his Framily Bradley Burkes, Bryan and Cari Harris, and Craig and Shelby Harris; and many friends that he made during his time serving his country and working on the railroad.

Tony was one of the truly great men and his memory will forever live on in the lives of his Jamie; “Little M”; and “Maddie”; as well as his family, framily, and friends.

At Tony’s request he would like you to join his family and friends in celebrating his life with laughter and love while wearing western or casual clothing. As Tony would say it “No Monkey Suits”.

Viewing will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke and Retz Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A memorial service celebrating Tony’s life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026 at the funeral home.  A reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home.  Burial with military honors will be held at 3:00 p.m. following the reception at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison.

Service Schedule

Viewing

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Thursday February 5, 2026

Anderson Stevenson Wilke and Retz Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

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Memorial Service

12:00 p.m.

Friday February 6, 2026

Anderson Stevenson Wilke and Retz Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave

Helena, Montana 59602

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Reception

Following the Memorial Service

Friday February 6, 2026

Anderson Stevenson Wilke and Retz Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave

Helena, Montana 59602

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Burial

3:00 p.m.

Friday February 6, 2026

Montana State Veterans Cemetery

Heroes Road

Fort Harrison, Montana 59636

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