Watt, Gary L.
Friday night, Gary Lee Watt told his family he was going to Heaven, and Sunday morning the Lord agreed that his days with cancer should be over and opened the gates. Gary was born April 10, 1935 to John Clarence and Anne Sarah (Noble) Watt in Gillette, Wyo. He fumbled his way through school as a generally sickly kid, eventually graduating from Montana State College with a degree in dairy management.
In 1957, Gary met Rosalie Cunneen. Immediately recognizing a good thing, he asked her to become his wife after dating two weeks. They married on July 18, 1959 in Butte, and over the next eight years they brought five children into the world.
Gary was a man of many talents. He earned his living as a dairy man, working at creameries in San Francisco, Butte, Oakland, Calf. and Twin Falls, Idaho. He was the first county sanitarian for the tri-counties of Deer Lodge, Powell and Ravalli. He earned his Masters Degree from MSU in Environmental Health, and then moved his family – one last time – to make a home in Helena for the last 39 years.
Gary worked as a state sanitarian for the Department of Health then later moved to the Office of Public Instruction. There he worked as a school food service specialist and won the hearts of school cooks around the state. Later he earned the distinction of Director of School Food for OPI, retiring in 1996.
While following a conventional path to support his family, he explored a number of alternate endeavors. He honed his skills as a dowser; witching water wells across the state, as well as, witching for sapphires, lost planes and people or anything that should be located. He was a great palm reader, rock hound, game hunter, gold miner, healer, Reiki master, and so much more.
While his career and awards over the course of his life are admirable, including Master Gardener at the Lewis and Clark County Fair, what brought him the most pride was his family.
He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Rosalie and his children; Sheila (Mike) Koepke (Cut Bank), Steve (Darleen) Watt (Hobson), Pat (Amy) Watt (Great Falls), Sharon (Doug) Stevenson (Joliet) and Charity Watt (Helena). He also leaves behind grandchildren: the Koepkes – Tyson (Pullman, Wash.), Drew (Missoula) and Ashley (Great Falls); the Watts – Schuyler (Missoula), Keenan, Riley, and Erin (Great Falls); the Hauffs – Codie and Kali (Billings); and the Stevensons – Brittany (Missoula), Leisa and Nicole (Joliet). Also surviving are: mother-in-law Ella Mae Cunneen (Butte); brothers Richard (Victorville, Calf.) and David (Missoula); sisters Margaret (Mondovi, Wisc.) and Carolyn (Seattle) plus countless in-laws, out-laws, nieces, nephews and dear friends.
In heaven Gary joins his grandson, William Gary Levis; parents; father-in-law, John D. Cunneen; brothers Dan, John and James.
Gary will be terribly missed, but the lessons taught and wonderful memories he provided will go far in filling the holes left in our hearts.
Visitation will be from noon to 4:00 p.m. Thursday, July 19th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. The family will begin receiving friends at 5:00 p.m. with a Vigil service to be held at 6:00 p.m. at Saint Mary Catholic Community on Thursday, July 19th. Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 20, 2012 at Saint Mary Catholic Community. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials can be sent to the William Levis Playground, care of Jefferson Elementary School; 1023 Broadway, Helena, MT, 59601.
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Barbara Boyd Roberts says
Rosalie and all the Watt children and grandchildren.
My deepest condolences at the loss of Gary, he was an extremely wonderful man (as I’m sure you all know). I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Debbie Irby says
Condolances
Donna Paul says
Rosalie and family,
The ready smile, caring personality, pretty roses are things that I will remember about Gary. When he entered Dr. Jordan’s I knew we were blessed with getting to know him.
Ed and Betty Argenbright says
Having shared many interests with Gary, I’ve valued our friendship and comraderie over the years. He was outstanding in his job at OPI. Shortly after being elected to be State Superintendent of Public Instruction I was asked by Federal authorities to release him from his duties so he could assist them in finding a kidnapped official in Italy. We released him and the missing official was found. I then paid special attention to Gary and I’m glad to have known him He did an excellent job. I do recall one time when we decided to take our sons on a sapphire dig and Gary used his whirling technique to find the promising sites to dig. What a job! We did find saphires but our college age sons thought mining was definitely a physically demanding activity. I’ve also consulted Gary on other matters over the years, be it a lost belt buckle (we found it) or a way to prevent burglars. Since our consultation we’ve had no more break-ins. Gary had special qualities and insights. We will miss him. God Bless
Elly Levis says
My thoughts and love are with Rosalie, Charity and Family. Gary I will miss you.
XOX Love always your friend in Australia Elly XOX
Fifes says
Rosalie and Family- We will miss our friendly neighbor with all of his wisdom and gardening tips. May he now be doing what he loves and has not been able to do here on earth the past couple of years. As Hayley said the other day, “I bet him and Will are doing fun stuff together again” Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Jackie Windon says
There’s a song verse that speaks my heart this day. “”Friends are friends forever, if the Lord is the Lord of them. And a friend will not say ‘never’, for the welcome will not end. Though it’s hard to let you go in the Father’s hands, we know, that a lifetime’s not too long to live as friends. No a lifetime’s not too long…to live as friends.””
We will miss you Gary, till the day you greet us on the other side of the veil. Thanks for the memories. Hugs to all your loved ones.
Jackie
jill hansen says
Rosalie we are so sorry for your loss.. Our thoughts and prayer’s go out to you and your family and loved ones.with love from texas,jamie&jill hansen
Julie DeMars says
Charity and Family, I am so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I’m sending hugs and prayers for peace. I know he is in a better place; he & Will will take good care of each other.
Love you!
Julie
Mary Schroeder says
Rosali and family,
I was my privilege to bring communion to Gary while he was in the hospital. He is an inspiration to everyone who knew him and the family.
May God hold you close and comfort you at this difficult time.
Pamela LaFountaine says
Rosalie and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. I know it is a terrible loss to you.
He was a sweet, kind and loving man.
I had the great pleasure of knowing and working with him at OPI for 10 years and missed him greatly when I left.
It was always great seeing him and his family about town and catching up with our lives.
I will miss him.
God Bless.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Pamela LaFountaine
T. Kelly says
Please accept my heartfelt sympathies. My heart goes out to the family. Death is something we will never get use to. In fact, God’s Word refers to death as an enemy. (1 Corinthians 15:26) Very soon our loving Heavenly Father, Jehovah God, will remove death once and for all and give us the opportunity to see our loved ones again here on the earth.