Podcast No. 274: George Parrett

When I was in grade school in Butte, there were basically two kinds of kids: Those who had Mr. George Parrett as their principal and those who wished they did.

I fell into the latter. I was never lucky enough to have Mr. Parrett as a principal, but I heard so much about him from the kids who did. They loved Mr. Parrett. They all spoke about him like he was their favorite uncle. The only other principal I ever heard spoken of in that way by other kids was Mr. Oakie O’Connor.

I was not lucky enough to have Mr. O’Connor as principal, either. I just missed him at the Kennedy.

Mr. Parrett, who turned 92 this past Saturday, spent decades as the principal, with the last 20 years or so coming at the Whittier Elementary in Butte. When he retired in 1998, Mr. Parrett spent another couple of decades plus serving as a volunteer at Whittier. He helped kids learn how to read or write.

He also became an avid runner during his retirement years, and he was a driving force in establishing the Spirit of Columbia Gardens Carousel. So, his legacy will live on for decades to come, and in more ways than one.

In recognition of his long career, Mr. Parrett was selected to serve as the Grand Marshal of this year’s Fourth of July Parade in Butte. It will be his second stint as Grand Marshal. He shared the honors for his work with the Carousel in the past.

Listen in to hear Mr. Parrett talk about growing up in the Great Depression in Butte. He was one of seven children who lost their father at a young age.

Listen as he talks about getting into teach and how he knew right away that he was going to marry Mrs. Parrett.

Listen as he talks about some of his former students and some of the teachers and principals he worked with.

Listen in to hear why he was a great selection for Grand Marshal and why those kids were right to think they were lucky.

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