Michael Thomas Fitzpatrick, 69

Michael Thomas Fitzpatrick was born on July 15, 1943, in Kenosha, Wis., to Norman and Doris (Newhouse) Fitzpatrick, and passed away unexpectedly June 7, 2013, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He lived in the Kenosha area until 1977, when he moved to Coram. 

While in Wisconsin, he worked in a number of different jobs, ending up working as a route salesman for Frito-Lay. He also served as a proud member of the Pleasant Prairie Township Fire Department, and the Wisconsin National Guard. When he moved to Montana, he continued his sales career, working briefly for Glacier Wholesale and Pepsi, then returning to Frito-Lay in 1980. He retired from Frito in March 2001. He was known around the valley as “Frito Mike” — and, in fact, had received mail addressed as such. 

After he retired from Frito, he went to work for the National Park Service at Glacier National Park, working as a seasonal campground maintenance work leader for 10 summers. He worked most of these summers in St. Mary, and greatly enjoyed the east front and all the people who worked for him. They were truly his “east-side family.” He quit working for the park in 2010, and since then had enjoyed full retirement.

In 1964 he married Nancy Overstreet, and they had three children, Megan, Heather and Timon. He and Nancy later divorced.

In March 1986, he married the love of his life and best friend, Mary Lou Dakin, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He and Mary Lou continued to live in Coram, and together enjoyed many joyous times and adventures. His passions (other than his family) were bird hunting (especially pheasants) with his many canine friends, big game hunting, fishing, golfing (the Friday Night Gentlemen's Golf at West Glacier especially), tennis, and reading everything he could get his hands on — often reading books from the back to front. He loved to travel, and greatly enjoyed snorkeling on the beaches of Maui. He was a fantastic self-taught cook and baker and loved to garden. He loved his children fiercely, and he adored his grandchildren.

Mike never met a stranger — he loved to talk to people and people loved to talk to him. He was a natural born salesman. His thirst for, and retention of, knowledge led to his being lovingly called an “idiot savant” by his friends; if you needed to know some tidbit of information, Mike was your guy.  

Mike was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, Max Williams. 

He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Lou, in Coram; and his children and grandchildren, Megan Fitzpatrick (Ashley and Nikkole) of Missoula, Heather Fitzpatrick (Larissa and Corey) of Kalispell, and Timon and Christa Fitzpatrick (Amelia and Molly) of Coon Rapids, Minn. He also leaves behind his most loyal doggie friend, Roly. 

Other survivors include his sisters and their wonderful families, Carol and Jerry Truskowski of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., and Jean and Dick Weber of Hot Springs Village, Ark.; his much loved aunt, Arlene Sinnen, of Kenosha, Wis., and terrific cousins Glenand Fifi Melville of Phillips, Wis. His extended family include Bill and Sarah Dakin (Maggie and Robbie) of Columbia Falls, Bob and Claudia Dakin of Custer, S.D., and Tom Dakin of Missoula.   

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Mike's life, with military honors, will be held at 2 p.m. on June 22, at the Dew Drop Inn in Coram. 

Memorial donations may be made to the NRA Eddie Eagle organization, Pheasants Forever, Wounded Warriors, or a charity of your choice.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.