JOHN ROBERT FISH, III
John Robert Fish, III, was born to parents John Robert Fish, Jr. and Sylvia (Hill) Fish on February 4, 1956, in Butte, Montana. John passed away at his home on February 20, 2022. John attended Longfellow Elementary School, East Junior High and Butte High School, graduating in 1974. He played baseball growing up and was a kicker for Butte High’s Football Team.
John went to work at the early age of 15 at Pasley Motors and continued working in the car business for most of his life including Lyons Motors, Mitchell Motors, Honest Abe’s, C&S Chevrolet, Dee Motors, Quality Motors and Brooks Hanna Ford where he suffered a shoulder injury preventing him from working. He could always remember his customers and what model and year of car he sold them.
John married Christine Lively in 1986 and they later divorced but remained close friends for the rest of his life. After the divorce, John moved to Kihei, Hawaii, with good friend Fred Turk where he loved the beaches and the aloha way of life. He spent several years there but moved back to be closer to his children. John’s pride and joy were his children Krisha Lynn Fish and Tanner John Fish, along with his 2 grandsons Rhett and Ryland.
He was always cheering his kids on at baseball games and thoroughly enjoyed watching Krisha speedskating. Ice fishing with Tanner was a favorite. John loved fly-fishing on the beautiful Big Hole River with his good friends Bob Goody, Tim Johnston and former brother-in-law Lee Lively and Steelhead fishing in Idaho with his good friends Jerry Joseph and Tom Bender. He did go hunting with brother-in-law Don Ovitt but it was not so much about the hunting as it was the camaraderie.
John was a fantastic cook cooking world-class lasagna, cabbage rolls and kibbeh from the recipe of the Joseph family. He grew thriving African Violets which he was very proud of. He loved music, especially Elton John and Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac. He attended concerts in Denver with Krisha, Jason and Melodie – Garth Brooks, Bruce Springsteen and Fleetwood Mac.
John was fortunate enough to meet Melodie Pesanti later in life and they spent 15 years together. They enjoyed doing some traveling and antiquing. She was his biggest supporter.
John was preceded in death by his parents John and Sylvia Fish and his sister Terri, former father-in-law Burr Lively and former brother-in-law Don Ovitt. John is survived by daughter Krisha Lynn Anderson, son-in-law Jason Anderson of Denver, son Tanner John Fish of Melrose and grandsons Rhett Gordon Anderson and Ryland Robert Anderson. Also surviving are Melodie Pesanti and her family, former wife Christine Lively, former in-laws Connie Lively, Susan Ovitt, Lee Lively, Gary (Jennifer) Ovitt, Kristen Ovitt and Joslyn Abrams; “Brother” Mark & “Sister” Debbie Ouellette, Aunt Darlene Brasier, cousins Bud Brasier, Cindy Gordon, Bob & LuAnn Clifford, Dan & Kathy Clifford, Bill & Kris Clifford, George Hill; and not to forget his companion puppy Stevie Nicks; friends Fred Turk, Kelly Elser, Jack Rochford and too many more to mention. You know who you are.
Celebration of Life will be held on June 25 at 4:00 p.m. in Melrose at the Melrose Bar Patio weather permitting. All friends and relatives are invited. We will try to post a reminder. Love and miss you forever, Dad.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of John.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for John and his family.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
4:00 p.m.
Saturday June 25, 2022
Melrose Bar Patio, weather permitting
Melrose, Montana 59743
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
4:00 p.m.
Saturday June 25, 2022
Melrose Bar Patio, weather permitting
Melrose, Montana 59743
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Jack Rochford says
John was my friend—the kind of friend everyone desires—true and steady. We probably contributed to each other’s delinquency, but we had fun and loved life. He brought smiles to everyone around him. I extend my love and sympathy to his family. He was a good, honest and decent human being. The world has lost a good man, but life is eternal and families are forever. Rest In Peace, Brother.
Charlene Warren says
Well John Fish – all these years you got pumpkin choc chip cookies from me and all along you could make dinner dishes?! What the heck Fish! Had I known that buddy – we would’ve been swapping plates back-and-forth. ❤️
You were a great neighbor my friend, always a smile on your face and a pleasant person to see from time to time.
You will be missed by many I am sure. Rest In Peace my friend.
Charlene Conniston Warren.