Jesse Pellett

Jesse Lyle Pellett, 67, passed away of natural causes on Tuesday, July 5, 2016.

He was born on January 14, 1949 in Shelby, Montana to mother, Lillian (Freng) Pellett, and father, Vernon “Curly” Pellett.  He joined sister, Dorothy (Pellett) Lescantz, and brother, James “Jim” Pellett.  Their father passed away when Jesse was 5 years old so Lillian began taking in mail clerks as boarders so they could stay in the family home in Shelby.  Jesse played basketball and football in school and graduated from Shelby High School in 1967.  He also enjoyed boxing and later in life had a short adventure in the Caribbean Islands training boxers.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army and was inducted June 25, 1969.  He served in Vietnam from November 25, 1969 – November 6, 1970.  After his discharge, he returned to Shelby for a few years and then moved to Missoula where he began working as a concrete truck driver.  He worked in this position for over 30 years and was a proud teamster.

He met Bridget (Hirsch) Pellett and they married in 1975.  They welcomed Gregory Vernon Pellett on July 15, 1977.  Their daughter, Michelle, was born May 14, 1981.  Jesse reveled in being a father and helped coach many of Greg’s soccer, baseball, and football teams.  He carried on this loving tradition throughout his life and Papa Jesse could be found at every sporting event, Cub Scout event, concert, play, birthday party, and special event for his grandsons.

Jesse was an avid sports fan and was a season ticket holder for Griz football and Griz and Lady Griz basketball, attending every game that he could, including the 1995, 1996, 2000, and 2004 National Championship games.  He could talk Griz stats for hours and knew them all.

He made friends everywhere he went and was fun and easy to be around.  Jesse could go anywhere and talk to anybody without knowing them.  He took life easy, always had a smile, and never had an angry word.  Words cannot express how we treasured him and how much he will be missed by his family and friends.  He was always quick to laugh, loved to tease, and had a generous, loving, light-hearted spirit.

He is survived by his son Greg (Sumer) of Missoula, daughter Michelle of Kalispell, sister Dorothy (Gene) Lescantz of Missoula, brother Jim (LouAnn) Pellett of Shelby, nieces Leah (Nels) Kludt of Idaho and Robin (Jim) Anderson of Missoula, grandsons Saul, Riley, and Devin, great nephews and nieces, and many cousins and close childhood friends.