Frederick ‘Fred’ Michael McDermott, 78 of Queen Valley, Arizona, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2015, of natural causes.
Being a native Montanan and spending most of his life there, a celebration of life will be held in Helena on June 27.
Fred was born in 1936 in Helena. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1954 and joined the Air Force serving four years. He was married to Linda Sue Carlson on June 22, 1957, and truly celebrated every single one of their almost 58 years of marriage.
After leaving the Air Force, Fred worked for Mountain Bell (Qwest) for 30 years, retiring in 1990. Fred thoroughly enjoyed camping with a young family and then moving on to four different cabins in the Seeley/Placid Lake area. He loved sports and was a Montana basketball official for 25 years and was inducted into the Montana Officials Association Hall of Fame in 1993. He also passed on his love of basketball by coaching his sons’ school basketball teams and then continuing to coach when his children were no longer in elementary and middle school. In the mid-70s he started golfing and a new passion entered his life. After retirement, he and Linda moved permanently to the Seeley area where he marshaled at the Double Arrow Golf Resort for 17 years.
He liked to tell the story about one of the most painful things he had to do while being a marshal was to ask a young lady to please put her clothes back on. After describing what she had on, because he had never seen such a thing, the pro’s wife told Fred he had just been introduced to a thong. During that time they became snowbirds traveling with their golf clubs to Queen Valley for the winter. Fred was also a terrific dancer, something he did not pass on to any of his children.
Fred is survived by his wife, Linda; sister Merrilyn (Phil) Ricker; daughter Jenny (Ernie) Satterthwait, sons Jeff McDermott, Jay (Michele) McDermott and Jim (Jennifer) McDermott; nine grandchildren and four great-granddaughters; and his former daughter-in-law, Julie McDermott.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Mary Ellen McDermott.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Queen Valley Fire Auxiliary, 1494 E. Queen Valley Drive, Queen Valley, AZ 85118. On behalf of Fred, his family would like to thank The Crossing: Hospice Care and the staff at Kopper Crest group home for making his final days comfortable and dignified.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
10:00 a.m.
Saturday June 27, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following the Celebration of his Life
Saturday June 27, 2015
Social Center of the Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Immediately following the reception
Saturday June 27, 2015
Forestvale Cemetery
Forestvale Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
10:00 a.m.
Saturday June 27, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following the Celebration of his Life
Saturday June 27, 2015
Social Center of the Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Immediately following the reception
Saturday June 27, 2015
Forestvale Cemetery
Forestvale Road
Helena, Montana 59602
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Michael P. McVeigh says
Very sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. He was a good friend of my father James P. McVeigh, as they worked together at Mountain Bell. He will be in our thoughts and prayers. God rest his soul.
Fred and Judy Bakke says
We are sorry to hear of Fred’s passing, we have great memories of good times at Ma Bell. God Bless.
Marlene Sangray Wallis says
Linda and Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. It is so hard to lose someone you love. I’m sure you will always have such wonderful memories as a family. Wish I could be there on Saturday, but I will be thinking of you. My love and prayers to all of you.
Marlene Sangray Wallis
Scott McHugh says
Very sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. I have many great memories of Fred. As kids, it was always fun for Mark and me to stay at your house. I’ll always remember Fred coaching the Broadwater basketball teams to the city championship. It was my pleasure to attend the MOA Banquet in which Fred was inducted into the Hall of Fame. It was very much deserved.
Our thoughts and prayers.
Sharon Thrailkill Sargeson says
Dear Linda and family,
I was saddened to learn of Fred’s
passing. I have a lot of good memories
from softball with you and Fred. You
are in my prayers.
Nancy Daly-Novack says
Linda–I am so sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. I was looking on the internet and came upon the information that Fred had passed. I am still shocked and feel bad that I was not able to express my regrets. I have changed my email address and have lost contact with you and your family. Let me know if you receive this. Thanks