Neil Ray Ouellette, 50, left this world on Thursday, October 8, 2020. He was

born November 12, 1969, in Butte, Montana, the son of Eugene G. and A. Gail

(Smeltzer) Ouellette.

Neil attended Webster-Garfield, West Junior High, and graduated from Butte

High School, Class of 1987. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S.

Marines and was stationed at Twenty-Nine Palms until he deployed for Iraq in

Operation Desert Storm. He received several medals, badges, and

commendations. He also endured many losses in combat and struggled to

recover from friendly fire and PTSD. After being honorably discharged from

active duty, he continued with his military career by joining the Reserves.

He later moved to St Louis, where he owned a successful landscaping and

contracting business where he had the opportunity to tackle new problems all

the time, moving from one challenge to the next. Everything intrigued him. He

was what you might call a tinkerer growing up.

No matter where he lived, all his neighbors knew him as someone that would

lend a helping hand. He would help anyone that needed help, whether it be

clothes, food, money, or a broken sump pump in the middle of the night. His

smile showed his pride in doing for others. His willingness to help people and

acts of kindness were most apparent when he went to help the victims of

Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana. His generosity to help others in need was

ongoing.

Neil was an avid outdoorsman and had an immense love for Montana. He

enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, camping, or just taking rides through Fleecer,

Trusty, and over the Skalkaho Pass. Our brother's laugh, smile, and the glow he

had when he enjoyed what he was doing will be greatly missed.

Neil is survived by his beloved companions Baby girl and Missy, brother, Mark

(Debbie) Ouellette of Vancouver, WA; his sisters Lenore (Bill) Rowling, Sheila

Ouellette (Glen Van Matre) of St. Louis, MO, Debra Ouellette (Chip Freeman),

Cindy Ouellette, and Teresa (Eric) LaGrange of Tell City, IN. Nieces and

Nephews - Erica (Frank) Green, Stephanie Rowling (Ed Heard), Ethan

Rowling (Shelby Hart), Alicia (CJ) Hayden, Dylan LaGrange and Jolean

LaGrange. Great nieces and nephews - Brayden and Landon Green, Caleb and

Kaden Heard, Chloe and Mya Rowling, Connor LaGrange, Vash and Luna

Hayden. He will also be forever remembered by his uncles and aunts in

Montana and North Dakota, cousins, extended family, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather John Fish, Jr, .

The family wishes to thank Gary & Faith Cooper for their friendship with Neil.   He loved going fishing, snowmobiling, and sledding with you and your family.

Abiding by Neil's wishes, his remains have been cremated.   A graveside service and celebration of life will be held in the Spring of 2021.   Duggan Dolan Mortuary has been entrusted with Neil's services.