Otis Victor Henry, 83

Otis Victor Henry, 83, of Missoula passed away peacefully at St. Patrick's Hospital on Tuesday, July 29, 2008, after a courageous battle with COPD and a recent diagnosis of cancer.

He was born April 7, 1925, in Gould, Okla., to William and Mary Etta Henry. As a young boy growing up on a rural farm, he attended school but, because of family obligations, was only able to attend through the eighth grade.

He later joined and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After his obligation in the Navy, he worked at various jobs in Oklahoma that provided many skills that he used during his lifetime. He moved to Rapid City, S.D., in 1948 and worked at a local bakery.

He met and later married Lois Keough on May 30, 1953, in Rapid City. While living there he went to work for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company, where he trained and worked his way to the position of production manager.

While living in Rapid City they were blessed with four sons and a daughter, who died as an infant. The family moved to Winslow, Ariz., in 1965 where he assumed the production-manager position. It was here that his surviving daughter was born.

Then in 1967, he was offered and accepted the production-manager position in Kalispell.

During his children's school years he was very active in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Little League baseball, Sunriser Lions, was awarded a lifetime PTA membership to the Hedges Elementary School, and was an active member of the Epworth United Methodist Church.

He enjoyed woodworking, gardening and most outdoor activities.

He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather to his family and a friend to many others.

He was preceded in death by one infant daughter, Sherilyn Marie; mother, father; eight sisters; and one brother.

He is survived by wife, Lois, of Missoula; four sons, Randy and Melissa of Arlington, Wash., Scott and Jackie of Ledger, Rod and Darci of Stevensville, and Kevin and Tammy of Missoula; and Teresa Manlove of Missoula; one sister, Pearl Barnett, of Arkansas; and one brother, Marlon, and Karen of Oklahoma; 17 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory, 1705 W. Broadway, in Missoula.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to your local food bank.