Gary Ott

Gary Louis Ott, 63, of Kalispell lost his battle with cancer on June 5, 2012.

Gary was born Jan. 5, 1949, to parents George and Ruth Ott. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1966 when he was 17. He proudly served his country in Vietnam, earning distinction by receiving the Vietnam Service Medal, the Presidential Citation, the Combat Action Ribbon and three Purple Hearts.

Following his military service, Gary worked in Kalispell for Arden Olsen driving truck for many years. Gary admired Arden and always said he could fix anything. Eventually, Gary owned and operated many different logging and long-haul semi trucks.

Gary had a generous personality and was involved with many activities, ranging from volunteering with North Valley Search and Rescue to supporting racing at Raceway Park as a fan, car owner and sponsor.

He married Lee Ann Ellis in December 1989. They moved from Minnesota to Montana, where they raised her three sons, Mark, Ross and John Ellis.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents.

Gary is survived by his wife of 22 years Lee Ann; son Mark Ellis and wife Tammy, of Andover, Minn., and Mark’s son Ethan; son Ross Ellis, of Kalispell; son John Ellis and fiancée Melissa Graymer, of Coram, and John’s daughter Madisyn; sister Linda Gimble, of Colorado; brother Phil Ott and wife Sharon, of Colorado; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Special friends include Madisyn’s mother Amanda Gardener and husband Cameron, of Columbia Falls, Mike Doty and Rosanna Doty, of Kalispell, and the Olsen family, of Kalispell.

Services will be held Saturday, June 23, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 2200 U.S. 2 East, in Evergreen, followed by a reception. Burial services will be at 2 p.m. at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Columbia Falls.

All family and friends are invited to attend.