Ronald E. LaMott, 69

Ronald E. LaMott, 69, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, at the Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation Center in Whitefish.

He was born Nov. 30, 1942, in Miami and was raised a Coast Guard brat living in Florida, Michigan, Guam, Washington state and eventually back to Florida, where he graduated from Northeast High School in St. Petersburg.

After graduation, he joined the Air Force and spent two years in Japan as a non-Morse radio operator. After his time in Japan, he completed his tour in the Air Force at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls in 1964.

There he met and married Donna Hermansen, the love of his life, and had the first of his two beloved girls, Kimberly, in 1965. He went to work for Retail Credit Company as an insurance investigator and was transferred to Kalispell in June 1965. In June 1967, his second daughter, Lisa, was born.

Ron was very involved in Jaycees and his church.

The Flathead Valley was always home to Ron. He would spend hours and days exploring and appreciating the wilderness areas. Whether it was a long hike or just a short walk by the river, there was always something new and wondrous to be found. There isn’t a back road, trail or logging road in Northwestern Montana that he didn’t know and find a way to explore with his family.

Ron was a devoted father to his girls and never missed a school play, choir concert, parent-teacher conference or birthday party. His purpose in life was to be the best “Daddy” in the world, and he accomplished his purpose beautifully. 

Everyone was Ron’s friend, and he would spend hours finding a way to help a friend in need, whether it was just a shoulder to lean on, financial assistance, shoveling a driveway or helping with a move. Whatever was needed, Ron was there to help.

In 1976, Ron went to work for Northwestern National Life Insurance where he won the National Rookie of the Year award and continued to be one of the top agents in the company throughout his career in insurance and investments. He was a member of the “Top Ring” for 10 years in a row, enabling Ron and Donna to travel the world together.  

Even though they divorced in 1992 and Ron moved to Idaho, Ron and Donna remained dear friends and devoted grandparents to their four grandchildren, Meghan, Logan, Keaton and Kristopher.

Due to his advancing Parkinson’s, in 2004 Ron moved back to his beloved Flathead Valley to be near his daughters. Ron spent his last years at Whitefish Care and Rehab, where he was loved by the staff for his sense of humor and tender heart.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Phyllis LaMott; his sister, Teddy LaMott; and his dearly loved in-laws, Mary and Gus Hermansen.

He is survived by and will be terribly missed by his daughters, Kimberly Hardwick and Lisa Dale; and grandchildren, Meghan and Logan Mansell and Keaton and Kristopher Hardwick, all residing in Kalispell.

Memorial services for Ron will be held at a later date.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Ron’s family.