Robert “Lee” Parrett, a lifelong resident of Butte, passed away at the Southwest Montana Veterans Home on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.
Lee was born on October 28,1931 to Walter and Ruth Rand Parrett during the Great Depression. He attended Whittier Elementary School and Butte High School, where he lettered two times in both basketball and football. A broken collar bone ended his football days, but he remained a proud member of the Silver and Golden B’s throughout his life, falling two seasons short of achieving Diamond status.
Upon graduation, Lee worked for the Texas Company until he was drafted in 1951. He served in Korea in the Army’s 25th Infantry Division for 13 months. He started out in combat as an Infantry Machine Gunner then moved into the position of Supply Sergeant. He returned home with the rank of Sergeant First Class and was always proud he had the opportunity to serve his country.
In 1955, he began working at the BA&P Railroad as a switchman conductor. He also met the love of his life, Cecelia Carriger. They married in 1957 and had two children. Later, Lee was hired at the Berkely Pit as a truck driver and also worked as a machinist on shovels and drills. After the Pit closed, he worked as a custodian for Butte School District No. 1 until he retired.
For many years, Lee had been a member of St Paul and Aldersgate Methodist churches. Throughout his life, Lee loved the times he spent fishing on the Ruby or the Big Hole Rivers or a drive along Vipond Park in the Pioneer Mountains. And until the untimely death of his dear Cecelia after a brave battle with cancer in 1993, he loved dancing at the Elks Lodge #240. Lee also found great joy when he would be visited by his grandchildren over the years. Later in life, he loved swimming at Fairmont, playing keno at a local casino, weekly meetings with his friends from the ARCO Retirees Club and get togethers with his family.
He is preceded in death by his wife Cecelia and her parents, Helmi and Buck Carriger, sisters Alice Roslosnik (husband Dale), Lois LeProwse (husband Bill), Florence Rand, brother Frank Parrett, nephews Roy Tremis and Ken Parr, and cousins Edna (Bob) Goodman and Wallace and Keith Johnson.
He is survived by his children Walter Parrett of Butte, daughter Julie (Mike) Klebe, and grandchildren Hannah (David) Wiemers , Sarah (Jacob) Roberts and two great grandchildren, Phillip and Blythe from Illinois, brother George (Marilyn) Parrett of Butte, sister Grace Parr of Portland, Oregon, sister in law Carol Parrett of Helena and many much loved nieces and nephews.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the entire staff of the Southwest Montana Veteran’s Home for the wonderful care they provided Lee during his time with them.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 8th at 10 a.m. with the service following at 11 a.m. at Aldersgate Methodist Church. It is respectfully asked that CDC guidelines for wearing a mask be followed while inside the church. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Butte Food Bank, Our Lady of the Rockies or the Shriners Children Hospital.
Please visit below to offer a condolence or share a memory of Lee.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Lee.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Saturday May 8, 2021
Aldersgate United Methodist Church
1621 Thornton Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Funeral Service
11 a.m.
Saturday May 8, 2021
Aldersgate United Methodist Church
1621 Thornton Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Interment
Following Service
Saturday May 8, 2021
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
Crackerville Road
Butte, Montana 59701
Service Schedule
Visitation
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Saturday May 8, 2021
Aldersgate United Methodist Church
1621 Thornton Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Funeral Service
11 a.m.
Saturday May 8, 2021
Aldersgate United Methodist Church
1621 Thornton Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Interment
Following Service
Saturday May 8, 2021
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
Crackerville Road
Butte, Montana 59701
Share
Craig Michael Maki says
I enjoyed my many conversations with Robert Lee Parrett. He was very interesting to listen to. He told me how he fished many Montana waters. One of his favorites was the Ruby river back in the day. I was honored to know him. Gods Speed Your friend Craig Maki
Carol A Parrett says
Lee was a great person and special brother in law to me always. Especially, since my husband (his brother) Frank Parrett passed. I’ll never forget how kind and special he’s been when I needed help. You are the best, Lee. We’ll always remember you with kind and beautiful thoughts.
Sincerely, Carol Parrett
Carol A Parrett says
Lee was a great person and special brother in law to me always. Especially, since my husband (his brother, Frank Parrett passed. I’ll never forget how ind and special he’s been when I needed help. You are the best, Lee. We’ll always remember you with kind and beautiful thoughts.
sincerely, Carol Parrett
Scott Paffhausen says
I would like to pass on condolences to Lee’s family….on behalf of myself and the Butte High Silver B’s Football Organization…VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS! Lee was a great guy and I always enjoyed speaking with him each year at our functions. He’ll be dearly missed by all. May he Rest In Peace!
Jeff Maki says
Would like to send sincere condolences to the family of Lee Parrett, And especially to his children Walt and Julie. I was glad that I had a chance to meet your father and talk with him one day on the front porch of his house. He seemed to be such a kind and knowledge person. And obviously he and his wife did a wonderful job raising their family because Julie and Walt are 10 star individuals themselves. Many warm thoughts and loving prayers for all of the Parrett family.
Steve Doran says
Growing up a block from the Parrett’s, I have fond memories of my younger years spent at their house. Lee and Cecelia opened their home to the kids in the neighborhood, and you could always count on popcorn or Hawaiian Punch ice pops to be available! My deepest sympathies to Walt, Julie and the rest of their family and relations. Now Lee and Cecelia are free to dance once more. Steve Doran
Ray Mclaughlin says
Walt, so sorry to hear about the passing of Lee. He was a great guy and he always had a story or two to tell. He will be missed. God Bless.
Millie says
Lee was a regular customer of mine at the Gold Rush every morning. He always had some good stories he told me or I would hear him and the other regulars swapping stories. Those were the good fun days and I’ll cherish each of them and everything I learned from all of them. May God wrap his arms around all of you.
Pam simonich says
Dear Julie, Walter and extended family,
I have fond memories of listening to Lee and my dad, Bob Henderson, talking about their favorite fishing techniques, hunting grounds and chatting about the ins and outs of work over a couple of beers at our kitchen table. He was a gem of a man, always acting with kindness and generosity toward others.
Pam (Henderson) & Pete Simonich
Patricia Sullivan (Craig's sister) says
Walt, I want you to know I’m sending love and prayers to you and your family during this difficult time. Looks like you got your love of fishing from your dad along with many other wonderful qualities. Your poem about him was such a touching and heartfelt tribute. May the love you have with your dad give you strength, because that love is eternal.
Charlene Warren says
I was lucky enough to meet Mr Parrett A few years back when I lived in the same neighborhood. My big Bay front room window looked directly across to his house. I stopped and chatted with him a couple times when he was sitting out on his porch. I dropped off homemade cookies on Occasion and he was so appreciative. He seemed like a true gentleman and always with a smile!
Rest in peace Mr Parrett. You were such a cute lil neighbor.
Sincere condolences to your family. ❤️✝️🌹
Charlene Messick Warren.
DON MCAULIFFE says
L ee was a wonderful friend abd football abd basketball teammate We BUTH PLAYED END FOR SWEDE AND THE BULLDOGS.hE WAS TOUGH ON DEFENDE AND A GOOD BLOCJER. i WAS LUCKY TO TALK WITHE HIM ON THE PHONEAT TKE VET HOSPITAL SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE WEEKS PRIOR TO HIS PASSING, WE TALKED ALOT ABOUT THE TEAM ROAD TRIPS AND SOME OF THE AMUSING EVEBTS.i WILL MISS HIM . MY THANKS TO wALT WHO WAS CONSTANTLY WITH LEE AT THE HOSPITAL
Paul & Jill Jordan of Colorado says
Our condolences to Walter, Julie and family. Lee was like a member of the Jordan family. We’ll miss him.