MARYSVILLE Family and friends gathered at Totem Middle School as the school district honored Monty Parratt by naming the schools gymnasium for the former teacher.
Parratt coached and taught physical education at Totem when it was still Marysville Junior High. Parratt had the respect of colleagues and friends, several of whom spoke on behalf of the teacher who passed away in a car accident several years ago.
Who was he you might ask, said former junior high vice principal Clyde Nordgren, who worked alongside Parratt. Simply put, he was one of the finest citizens I have ever known.
In addition to winning the regard of his students, Parratt coached football, cross country and track at the junior high. Parratt was also remembered as fond of hiking, having spent several years in his youth as a park ranger at Glacier National Park in Montana.
As friends stood up and shared memories, a photo of the teacher in mid-hike smiled down on the students and attendees seated in the gymnasium.
Speaking of the former high school and college football standout, Nordgren described Parratts commitment to Marysville Junior High.
He could have been the head football coach at M-PHS, but he turned it down. His work was here.