Gary L. Ott, 63

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

Gary was born Jan. 5, 1949, to parents, George and Ruth Ott.

In 1966, at the age of 17, Gary joined the United States Marine Corps. He proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. He earned the Vietnam Service Medal, the Presidential Citation, the Combat Action Ribbon, and three Purple Hearts while in Vietnam.

Following his military service, Gary worked for Arden Olsen driving trucks. Gary greatly admired Arden and thought of him as a good friend. Gary eventually owned and operated many different types of trucks.

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

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

Gary will be greatly missed by his wife, family and friends.

Funeral services followed by a reception will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 23, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Evergreen, 2200 Hwy. 2 East. Burial services with military honors will be at 2 p.m. at the Montana Veterans Cemetery in Columbia Falls. All friends and family are cordially invited to attend.