Lester Merle Paro Jr.
RONAN — Lester Merle Paro Jr. was born in Missoula on Aug. 3, 1931, and passed away peacefully Nov. 19, 2016, in Ronan.
He had a large family of four sisters, Glenna, Karen, Toni and Penny; and two brothers, Jim and Tom.
Lester grew up in Hot Springs. He was active in academics and was Valedictorian. He was also involved with sports; he especially loved basketball.
After graduating, he went into the Navy and was stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Lake Champlain and served during the Korean War and traveled around the world. After his honorable discharge he attended Western Montana College in Dillon and received his master’s degree in both mathematics and physical education.
After college he started teaching math and coaching boy’s basketball in St. Regis, then got a job and moved to Lewistown where he met and married Barbara. Shortly thereafter they moved back to Ronan and Les took a job as a basketball coach and math teacher. After a couple of years their daughter Leslie Jyl was born. They lived in Ronan for a few more years and then Les got a good job at Investors Diversified in Great Falls.
After a time Lester took a job with General Telephone Co. in Everett, Washington. He worked and lived there and that’s where his two sons, Jason and Jeff, were born. Two years later the family moved to Apple Valley California where Les got a job and went to work for Apple Valley Telephone Co. Several years later they moved back to Ronan where Les taught again and lived there until 1980 when he and Barbara divorced.
Lester stayed in Ronan for a while until he took a job in Spokane at Telco, where he lived for several years. He then retired and followed the horse racing circuit enjoying the sunshine from Phoenix to New Mexico as a jockey’s agent.
When his health started to decline, he returned home to Ronan to be with all his family where he remained until his death.
Lester is survived by sisters, Glenna, Toni, and Penny; both brothers, Jim and Tom; daughter, Leslie Jyl; sons, Jason and Jeff; and four grandchildren.
Memorial services for Lester will be announced at a later date. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www.shriderthompsonfuneralhome. com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Shrider – Thompson Funeral Home.
