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Obituary: Kory David Bakkum
Author: Family of Kory David Bakkum
Kory David Bakkum
Family of Kory David Bakkum
August 10, 1962 – December 2, 2025
The family of Kory David Bakkum, 63, of Townsend, Montana, is heartbroken to announce that he died unexpectedly on December 2, 2025, leaving us shattered and grieving the loss of the man who was the center of our world.
Kory was born on August 10, 1962, at Livingston Memorial Hospital in Livingston, Montana, to Byron “Ben” Bakkum and Beverly (Blessum). He grew up in Livingston with his older sister Kim and graduated from Park High in 1981.
Kory played basketball at Mayville State University and earned many honors with the Comets. He was a 6’8” forward who set a record for the most points scored by a freshman (301). He went on to be named All-Conference three times and, in 1985, was named All-District 12, MVP of the NDCAC, Most Valuable Senior in the NDCAC, the leading rebounder in District 12, and the fifth in rebounding nationwide.
A four-year starter, he was instrumental in bringing NDCAC championships to Mayville State in 1983 and 1985. Kory played semi-professional basketball in Bamberg, West Germany and Melbourne, Australia. In 1997, Kory was inducted into the Mayville State University Athletic Hall of Fame. This was the first time that MSU had both a father and son inducted into the Hall of Fame and his dad, Ben, was so proud to be the one to present the award.
Kory began his career as a math teacher and coach in Halliday, North Dakota. After two years, he moved to Victor, Montana, where he taught for just over a decade. In 1997, he married Denise (Anderson), and they remained in Victor until 2001. From 2001 until his retirement in 2016, Kory taught in Townsend, Montana. While in Townsend, he coached basketball and volleyball, even assisting in their State Championship season. He served one year as the head volleyball coach and then named himself “the worst volleyball coach in the history of Townsend Schools!” Kory taught both of his own children in their high school math classes. After retirement, he subbed and volunteered and eventually he jumped in as a custodian in the new elementary school. At the time of his death, Kory was the “big, tall janitor” on the second floor. His love for kids of all ages made the job something he looked forward to. He had as many great stories about the littles as he had when he taught the bigs.
Kory also had a career on the golf course. Not as a professional golfer, although he probably could have, but as a groundskeeper. His years at Old Baldy saw him go from mowing and weed-eating to becoming the official superintendent. The course was a source of pride and frustration! He kept it green and made it better. He loved it and hated it and cussed it and missed it when the season ended.
Kory and his son, John, shared a love for math and all things sports. He watched John develop his talent for basketball and golf, not just as a player, but as a coach. He loved the way John’s mind worked and he was so proud of the man he had become. Kory taught him through word and deed to work hard, to be humble. John followed in his dad’s footprints as a teacher and coach in Fairfield. Kory and Denise had planned to try to make it to as many Eagles games as possible this season to “watch John coach.”
Kory took every opportunity to drive to Missoula to be with his daughter, Joy. From the moment she was born, she stole his heart. She made him giggle like nobody else could. He liked to say that because of her, he got to see the world. She led us to NYC and Vegas. She pulled him out of his comfort zone and fascinated him with her talent on the stage. One of his proudest moments was watching her on stage in the MCT production of “Puffs.” They talked about cooking, and dogs and they shared that mischievous sense of humor. She was the light of his life.
Kory is loved beyond measure by his wife, Denise, and their children, John and Joy. He will be forever missed by his sister, Kim. He married into a big, loud family and he loved them all. Even if he called you a “freak,” he meant it with love. He leaves behind that family, which includes Denise’s parents, John and Amy; Denise’s siblings and their children: Jason (Jessica) and Eli; Chris, and Jenny (Kyle). He was so proud to be Uncle Kory to Miya, Sylvia, Jenny and Percy. He loved Denise’s Grandma Jean and Grandpa Herb. He enjoyed Christmas in Shawmut and spending time with all of Denise’s aunts, uncles and cousins.
Kory’s parents, Ben and Beverly, preceded him in death. We believe he is safely in God’s hands, but we will miss him for the rest of our lives.
To honor his legacy, the Kory Bakkum Memorial Scholarship has been established. This scholarship will help future students pursue their goals with the same determination and heart that defined Kory’s life. Donations in his honor may be made to this fund.
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