Paul George Fries

Mr. Paul George Fries, age 72, went peacefully to be with the Lord, early Monday morning, November 13, 2023 at his home in Butte surrounded by his loving family. Paul was born in Butte Montana on Monday, July 16, 1951 to Clyde C. and Ellen M. (Cundy) Fries. Paul was a 1970 graduate of Butte High School and started working at a very young age to help support his family following the untimely death of his father when he was 12. Paul did yard work all over uptown Butte yet still found time to participate in the Boy Scouts, DeMolay and served his community with the Butte Jaycees. Paul worked at Miller’s Boots and Shoes before starting his long career with Montana Power and Northwestern Energy. He started with Montana Power in 1973 and retired from Northwestern Energy in 2013. He married his soul mate, a Helena native, Denisee Longmire on September 29, 1979 and together they had two children. Paul enjoyed camping and Square Dancing and was a longtime member of the Butte Plane Nutz. He started the Heart-to-Heart Support Group in January 1990 to help others who have had various cardiovascular health problems. He also enjoyed model railroading and wood working. He was an active member of the Butte Community Bible Church. He was a very kind and loving man and loved spending time with his grandchildren. Paul is survived by his wife Denisee Fries, daughter, Lisa Fries of Butte, son and daughter-in-law, Travis and Taylor Fries of Dillon, grandchildren, Nicholas Shallcross and Molly Denisee Fries. Also surviving are his sister-in-law Lee Ann Fries of Kirkland, WA, sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Richard Johnson of Ogden, UT, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Joe Doyle and Jonan Longmire of Helena, Glenna McClure of Helena and Linda and Randy Chambers of Helena as well as numerous nieces and nephews including Matthew Johnson, Stephanie Johnson and Shane Smith, and great-niece, Rayellen Johnson. He is preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Ellen Fries, his brother, Dave Fries and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joe and Glenelle Longmire. Cremation has taken place. Graveside interment services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2:30 in Sunset Memorial Park. A celebration of Paul’s life will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 1 o’clock in the Butte Community Bible Church with Pastor Vic Cline officiating. Memorials in Paul’s memory may be made to the Belmont Senior Citizen’s Center or the Butte Community Bible Church.

Tributes

Paul George Fries

July 16, 1951 - November 13, 2023