Barry Lee Bartlette

Barry Lee Bartlette, 70, of Lolo, Montana passed away peacefully on December 8, 2020 at his winter home, in Mesa, Arizona, with his wife at his side. He had been diagnosed with glioblastoma mutliforme, a terminal brain cancer, in May 2019. A Celebration of Barry's Life will be held once it is safe to gather, at the Dance Center at Lolo MT. Barry Bartlette was born on June 25, 1950 in Miles City, MT to Wilbert (Bart) and Gay (Harrington) Bartlette. Barry grew up in Livingston, MT and graduated from Park Senior High School in 1968. After high school he enlisted in the Navy on November 27, 1968 and served for 4 years. He served in Alaska and during the Vietnam War, on the aircraft carrier USS Midway as a radio operator/technician. He was honorably discharged on November 28, 1972. Barry returned to Livingston where he trained in water systems while working at the community plant. He qualified for civil service employment and began his career with the US Army Corps of Engineers and US Bureau of Reclamation working at hydroelectric plants at the Fort Peck Dam in MT, Oahe Dam in SD, Mount Elbert Power Plant in CO, Buffalo Bill Dam in WY and Canyon Ferry in MT. Although Barry's parents were square and round dance leaders, Barry didn't dance until he took square dance lessons as an adult. He immediately knew he wanted to be a square dance caller. In 1981 he began calling and cueing for dancers. Barry met Bobbie at a square dance festival in 1996. They were married in 1997 in Lolo and were happily married for 23 years. In 1998 Bobbie's dad passed away and Barry was able to take an early out retirement from the USBOR to become a full time caller, cuer, dance instructor and manager at the Square Dance Center and Campground in Lolo. His love of dance, of the beauty of nature and of sharing with campers and dancers was obvious to all. He continued to dance as long as he could and to work as his health declined, training others until he felt assured camping and dancing would continue. He loved choreographing dance and received certificates from various dance groups for some of the dances he arranged. Barry was a member of Callerlab and Roundalab, organizations for square dance callers and round dance cuers. Aside from dance, he also enjoyed hunting, fishing, wood gathering, skiing and kayaking. Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Bart and Gay Bartlette and several aunts and uncles. Barry is survived by his wife Bobbie of Lolo, his son Justin (Bonnie) Bartlette of Missoula, MT, stepchildren Tina Brown (Alpheus Pope) of Henrico, VA and grandson Terry of Missoula, Morgen Hartford (Aleta Jokisch) of Tucson, AZ, and Dacia Hartford (Ryan McKinley) and grandson Jacoby of Lolo, his twin sister Betty (Chuck) Harris of Bigfork, MT, and brothers Joe (Margie) Bartlette of Big Timber, MT, Ray Bartlette of Wheat Ridge, CO and Greg Bartlette of Livingston, MT; one aunt, Vicky Harrington of Billings, MT, several nieces and nephews and hundreds of dancers and campers who have enjoyed his love of life over the years. Rather than memorial donations or flowers, Barry's wish was for everyone to keep safe and guard their health now, support family and friends with kindness through this time of distancing, then gather joyously for hugs, dance and remembrances once it is safe.