Lester Lamont “Monty” Atkins

Lester Lamont “Monty” Atkins passed away on May 26, 2016, at Providence Hospital in Anchorage Alaska, with his son Matthew at his side. Monty was born September 27, 1946, at Enloe Hospital in Chico, California, to Lester C. Atkins and Regena Forester. He grew up in Paradise, California and often recalled what an ideal place it was to spend his childhood. After he graduated from Paradise High School in 1965, he liked to say he took his “Senior Trip” on the USS Coral Sea for three tours of duty to Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1969. He returned to Paradise and married his high school sweetheart, Rhonda Balch in 1970. They moved to Alaska in 1981 and raised their children there. He was able to hunt, fish and run his riverboat to his heart’s content. He loved his kids, dogs and goats! He was a true Alaskan Outdoorsman! He was preceded in death by his father, Lester Atkins. Monty is survived by his wife Rhonda; his children, Elizabeth “Lissa” Atkins Douglas, Matthew Atkins (Brandy), Amy Gayman (Brandon); grandchildren, Cameron, Courtney, Danee and Casey Douglas, Henry and Avery Gayman, Claire and Owen Atkins; and great-granddaughters, Gabi, Maggie, Grace and Gwen Reece and Myla Jones; his mother, Regena; brother, Larry Atkins and two nieces. The world will never be the same without you Monty, you were one of a kind! A memorial service will be planned for a later date in Alaska. He will be laid to rest in the Paradise Cemetery.