Jacob Paul Parmenter, 19

Jacob Paul Parmenter, March 2, 1993 - March 16, 2012.

On March 2, 1993, the cutest little boy with peaches and cream skin was welcomed into this world by his Mom and Dad, Kelly and Paul; and his two older brothers, James and Marc. Those brothers couldn't wait to get him home, and wanted him to sleep in between their twin beds. The boys promised their mommy they would wake her up when he cried. Strong willed as always, he only wanted his mommy. As a baby, his Grandma couldn't even hold him. Everyone called him a “Mama's Calf.”

 As he got older, he was the cutest, mischievous little 2-year-old. So much so, that he was known as the “Evil Parmenter” at daycare. His childhood was filled with many happy days. He loved to go fishing with his Gramps on Flathead and Echo Lakes, and wasn't afraid to “squish the fish.” He caught a small mouth bass that Gramps had mounted for him. He started skiing at 3 years old. The first time was straight down the hill without stopping. Gramps promptly went to the ski shop to buy him a helmet because he couldn't keep up.

 Later the family moved to Houston. There he taught himself to swim. He would pretend to snap dive tanks on his back in the hot tub. His mother would ask him what he was doing and he'd say, “I'm putting on my tanks, Mommy! I'm gonna be a Navy Seal!” After moving back to Missoula, he'd disappear for hours armed with a shovel and a paintball gun, he would return covered in dirt. When questioned of his whereabouts, he'd say he was building a bunker!

 His whole life's dream was to be in the military. He always wanted to be a Navy Seal but after he realized he'd have to be on a boat, he wanted to be a Marine. He worked out like crazy and was as physically fit as possible. So when the time finally came for him to go to Basic Training, he was immediately made squad leader of 24. There he made the mistake of saying “P.T. was easy,” and they decided to teach him a lesson; one that resulted in a medical discharge.

Unfortunately, his dreams in the military didn't work out as he planned and it broke his heart. Two weeks after his 19th birthday, alone in his dorm room, Jacob Paul Parmenter decided to take his own life. He left only a few messages. He let his mother and father know that he loved them and left his friends a couple short goodbyes. He knew there must be a better place. “He's with his grandmother now,” and whatever intense pain he felt, it's over.

Jacob was preceded in death by his grandmother, Donna Paulson of Bigfork.

He is survived by his mother, Kelly Jo Paulson of Missoula; brothers, James Parmenter and Marc Taylor of New York City; father, Paul Parmenter of Salt Lake City; grandfather, Jack Paulson and wife, Donna Bruce, of Bigfork; Jean and Bud Larsen of Puyallup, Wash.; Mike and Paulette Keller, and Dale Hofeldt of Lloyd, Mont.; Doris Hofeldt of Chinook; Karen and Clint Baertsch, and Kari Kimball of Missoula; Pamela Liggett of Sacramento, Calif.; numerous Parmenter relatives; and many friends.

A celebration of Jacob's life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 24 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 3201 Bancroft, in Missoula. A reception will be held following the ceremony at the 501 at the Iron Horse.

The family is requesting any memorials to be sent to the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, 91 Campus Drive, PMB 1407, Missoula, MT in care of house fund. Jacob was just accepted to this fraternity with great support and had recently applied to be president. Jacob will be missed by all whom he loved and all who loved him.