Raymond G. Parsons

Raymond G. Parsons, 60, of Hamilton passed away Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010 at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula. He was born Nov. 23, 1950 in Deadwood, South Dakota, the son of Catherine J. (Christensen) Parsons and the late William L. Parsons.
- Ray was raised in South Dakota until 1965, when the family moved to Libby, Montana. Ray attended Libby High School where he played varsity basketball and graduated in 1969.
Upon graduation, Ray worked for the Forest Service in the summertime and attended the University of Montana in the fall, majoring in English. While at the University, he met the late Katherine Ozanick. They moved to Libby in 1977 where Ray worked as a logger. On Oct. 22, 1977 he married Katherine in Coeur 'd'Alene, Idaho. On Oct. 14, 1979, the couple had their first and only child, Ahnna Kari Parsons.
In 1980, Ray moved his family to Pasco, WA where worked in the tire business. In 1985 Ray began his career with the United States Post Office. He was widowed that same year and lived with his daughter in Washington until 1988. Ray put in for a job transfer and in Oct. of 1988 he and his daughter moved to Missoula, Montana. He continued at the Missoula Post Office and served as a union representative for a short while.
- Ray left the Post Office in 1998 and found his passion in the culinary world. He attended University of Montana once again, only this time aiming toward a career in the restaurant business. In 2003 Ray and Ahnna moved to Billings where he was able to put his culinary skills to work. He left Billings in 2006 to help care for his mother Catherine in Hamilton. Throughout his life Ray continued his love for English, always writing poetry and short stories. He enjoyed fishing and spending time outdoors. The love he had for his family was endless. Ray lived a life of compassion and quiet strength.
- Ray was preceded in death by his father the late William L. Parsons, and his wife the late Katherine (Ozanick) Parsons.
- Ray is survived by his daughter Ahnna and her fiancAC. Chad Barnett of Billings; his sister Carol and husband Vito Ciliberti of Hamilton; his brother William Parsons Jr. of Vancouver, Washington; and his mother Catherine (Christensen) Parsons of Hamilton.
- Funeral and memorial services will be held this spring in Troy, Montana at the family cabin on Savage Lake.