Douglas Matthew 'Doug' Soteros, 57
Douglas Matthew "Doug" Soteros, 57, passed away Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, on Elk Ridge near Helena. Doug was born to Nick and Marie Soteros on Nov. 28, 1947, in Waterloo, Iowa. At age 11, he moved with his family to Sylmar, Calif.
He met and fell in love with Judie Gianettoni during his junior year at Sylmar High. They married April 6, 1966, and spent the next 38 years raising four children together.
In 1967, Doug enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving our country until 1970. He was especially proud to fight for freedom in Vietnam as a member of the 173rd Airborne Ranger Blackhawks. He was awarded the National Defense Medal, two 0/S Bars, the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device 1960, Expert M-14 and M-16, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, Good Conduct Medal, and the Air Medal.
Doug moved his family and his construction business to Kalispell in 1977. He continued his construction business until the time of his death.
He was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and helped many people in need. Whether a person needed a place to sleep, a job, or just an empathetic ear, Doug was always there, ready and willing to help.
He was also a member of Gold Prospectors of America and was passionate about outdoor adventures. He loved being in the great outdoors with friends and family, camping, gold panning, fishing and hunting. His last days were spent searching for a big bull elk deep in the woods, his sons at his side.
Survivors include his wife, Judie, of Kalispell; sons, Matt and Claudette of Tallahassee, Fla., and Christopher and Kimmy of Kalispell; daughters, Jonna and Scott Rossow of Redding, Calif., and Heather Soteros and Nate Schwegel of Kalispell; three grandchildren, Nick, Jordan and Andrew Rossow; seven brothers, Nick of Chehalis, Wash., Tony and Nancy of Toledo, Wash., Mark of Chehalis, Steve and Ann of Arlington, Texas, Greg of Sylmar, Calif., Ron and Kim of Reno, Calif., and David and Pam of Kalispell; three sisters, Cecelia and Ike Eckelberg of Shell Rock, Iowa, Rhodel and Bob Avritt of Prospect, Ore., and Christine and Debi Swarts of North Hollywood, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.
A celebration of Doug's life will take place at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, at the Kalispell Elks Club.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Samaritan House, P.O. Box 592, Kalispell, MT.
Johnson Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.