MARYSVILLE Monty Parratt is finally getting his name on his office.
The long-time Marysville physical education teacher will be honored later this week when the gymnasium at Totem Middle School is renamed in his honor during ceremonies Nov. 9.
Formerly known as Marysville Junior High School, the school and gym were Parratts domain during a 31-year teaching career in the Marysville School District.
The late football and cross-country coach was remembered fondly by co-workers as they recalled the outgoing, positive educator. He died several years ago in a tragic car accident near West Glacier, Mont., where he lived after retiring.
The school district will hold a dedication ceremony Friday, Nov. 9 at 1:45 p.m in the Totem gym, followed by reception for friends and family in the school library.
He was probably one of the finest men who ever walked the earth, said friend and co-worker of 28 years Al Fruetel.
As head of the P.E department Parratt was a living example of what he taught, looking half his age when he retired in his early fifties, and he was a positive man with an even keel at all times, according to those who knew him well. Dick Snow took over for Parratt after he retired and also knew him in his role as a coach. A soft spoken man, he was never pushy but still seemed to get his way, putting his arm around you and telling you about his latest plans.
He would look at you and you knew that you would give in instantly, Snow laughed.
Counselor Vince Cotroneo worked and socialized with Parratt for years, and called him a man of unquestioned integrity who always followed through on his promises, he added.
He would follow through on everything he said, Cotroneo recalled. He made everybodys day better. When you were around him you always felt better about yourself.
An avid hiker and nutritionist, he lived the example of healthy living and looked the part, too.
He was 50-some years old when he died and he looked like 30, Fruetel said. He was an incredibly competitive man but you would never know it because he was such a gentle man.
As both a teacher and a coach Parratt had a gift in being able to reach out to the kids he worked with.
Kids respected him; they liked him, they loved him but they respected him, Fruetel said.
An empathetic listener, his positive nature had its down side because on the rare times he would be angry or frustrated Parratt would still have a smile on his face. That could be confusing to both students and adults alike, and it became a point for some gentle ribbing over the years. He always tried to see the positive side of things, and when dealing with eighth- and ninth-graders thats not always an easy thing to do, according to Fruetel.
Kids used to tease him because he always had a smile on his face, Fruetel said.
A compulsive organizer, Parratt had a mania for storing things in their proper place and to boot, he saved everything, including a box of pencils given to him his first year as a teacher. That came in handy during the
Boeing bust in the early 70s when
levies failed repeatedly and supplies were scarce.
The Marysville School District will be renaming the Totem Middle School gymnasium after Monty Parratt during ceremonies Nov. 9, at 1:45 p.m., at the campus at 1605 Seventh Street, in
Marysville.