Gary G. Fish

Gary G. Fish, 81, of Paradise Valley, passed away on Friday, August 12, 2022.

Gary was born before World War 2 at the Lott Hospital in Livingston, Montana. He attended the local schools graduating from Park County High School, where he was student body President his senior year, in 1958. After graduation he entered the U.S. Air Force Academy followed by the University of Montana where he graduated with a B.A. in History and Political Science in 1962. While at the U of M he was a Grizz cheerleader, a member of the University Model U.N. team, nominated as Snow King, and was a loyal member of the SAE fraternity.

After graduation he taught school, traveled to Europe and eventually settled as a history and Latin teacher at the American School in Japan in Tokyo in 1965 where he remained off and on for 30 years. In 1968 he entered the University of Arizona where he obtained an M.A. in Oriental Studies and where he met his lovely Brazilian wife, Alaete. Following graduation, he returned to Japan where he was married, had their first child, David, and after two years ventured to Brazil where his wife had an educational obligation to fulfill. While in Brazil their second son, Daniel, was born. After their Brazilian residence they returned to Japan for two more years, took a year off to live in Montana and finally settled in Japan for good in 1978 where Alaete also was employed teaching at The American School in Japan.

Gary taught a variety of subjects at ASIJ and early on coached track and cross country as well. Because of his involvement as an actor with the Tokyo International Players during his off hours, he was eventually asked to direct plays at the school and began theater classes for the students. In 1990 he was granted a sabbatical leave to study theater and Buddhism for a year at the University of Montana! He returned to ASIJ and continued teaching there until his retirement in 1995. Following his retirement, he went on six national tours as an actor with the Montana Repertory Theater eventually settling down in Livingston, his birth place, with his wife where he was heavily involved acting and entertaining in the local theaters, was on the Board of Directors for the Firehouse 5, The Shane Center and the Blue Slipper Theater and on the vestry of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church as well as acting for commercials and movies when cast.

He had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed being in comedies, making people laugh and entertaining! He, also, loved teaching and inspiring students to think creatively! He maintained contact with many of his students throughout his lifetime. Montana and its natural beauty were emblazoned on his heart as was the country of Japan! His curiosity of all things led to a lifelong joy of reading and discovery.

He is survived by his wife, Alaete; his sons, David (Andrea), and Daniel, his sisters, Darlene (Dan) And Karlin (Art); his granddaughters, Autumn (Jake), Emiko (Judge), and Jordan (Amora); his grandson, Dmitri (Stacy); and great-granddaughter, Emersyn; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A funeral service in honor of Gary will be held Saturday, August 27, 2022, at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic church in Livingston with a reception to follow in the school gymnasium. Burial will follow the reception at Mountain View Cemetery. Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.

Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.