Ira Everett Fender

Obituary for Ira Everett Fender M.D. Ira Everett Fender was born on September 25, 1952 in Banner Elk, NC to Harold and Audrey Fender. He was the first-born son and named after both Grandfathers. He didn't like either name and complained often. Harold's work took them to New Jersey for a couple of years. The father was then recruited by NASA and they relocated to Huntsville, AL with their four children. Everett was very close to his Dad. Harold was the influence behind his life-long values; hard work, never stop learning, be a good person. Harold was unexpectedly taken from the family when Everett was in High school. That event changed everything for the family. Harold had been the glue. After high school Everett joined the U.S. Army in the med-tech program, finishing in the top ten percent of the class. Ranked as an SP4 he received his orders. Instead of heading to Vietnam, he was quite surprised to be assigned to Butte, America (he had to look it up on a map). He arrived in Butte in January of 1970 in sub-zero weather on the last flight of the day with the airport closing down and without a ride. Life warmed up considerably from this point forward. He spent his Army career in Butte, moonlighting in the lab at St. James Hospital when off duty. During this time, he met his lifelong friend John Cavanaugh. Upon discharge he returned to Huntsville, AL and enrolled in University of Alabama, receiving his B.S. degree in biology. In 1975 while applying to medical school, a mutual friend introduced Everett to his future wife, Jackye Hand. In May of 1980 they were married and moved to Birmingham, AL to begin medical school at the University of Alabama. Their first daughter, Emily Kristen, was born within the throes of his studies. Upon completion of medical school in 1984 they returned to Huntsville, AL, where he began his residency in Family Practice at the University of Alabama School of Primary Medical Care. Allison Elise Fender was born during this time. In his third year of residency he arranged a preceptorship with Dr. Walker Ashcroft in Hamilton, MT, wanting to introduce his family to the Montana that he had come to love. They drove away knowing this was home in their hearts. In January of 1987 the decision was made to look for an opportunity to set up medical practice in Montana. They hung a map of the State on their wall along with a list of communities who at the time who were looking for family practice practitioners. Pins were placed on the map and phone calls were made. Community Hospital of Anaconda (CHA) responded and invited the young family to visit in March of that year. It was an instant love affair with the community. They loaded up the truck and moved to ‘God's Country'. Everett's Family Practice clinic opened in August of 1987, with Jackye at his side. From the time they hit town, Everett became known as ‘Doc' Fender. At the time, there were only four practicing physicians in town. For the next ten years being ‘on call' included the whole kit and caboodle; ER, in-patients on top of a full schedule in the office. In 1997, Doc Fender transitioned to the Emergency Room at the CHA and operated there for the following ten years. But primary care was always his first love. In 2007 He and Jackye returned to the office environment with the desire to practice ‘old school' medicine. They carried through with this until 2013. As like so many solo private practitioners nationwide needed to do to survive in recent times, Doc Everett rejoined the CHA family in his effort of best serving his clients. Retirement came in 2016. Work did absorb a large portion of Doc Fender's life, but truth be told, he found ample time to pursue his other life passions; fishing, golf, hiking, biking, camping and all things Montana with his family and friends. Golf clubs and fly-fishing equipment were always at hand in the back seat of his truck. If he was late, it was not uncommon to track him down somewhere on Warm Springs Creek with line in hand. If he was home, and one was driving by, he'd be viewed club in hand, chipping around his yard. Other passions he was known and loved for included poker with the boys, cribbage, music, single malt scotch, and Heineken. But above all, Everett loved his Alabama Crimson Tide team. His diagnosis of his cancer came last June. It was his fervent wish to live to see ‘Bama win the National Collegiate Football Championship which took place on January 8th, 2018. This wish came true - spurred on by so many of his friends and family far and wide. Everett was preceded in death by his father Harold Fender, mother Audrey (Hodges) Fender, sister Eugenia (Gigi Fender) Todd (Ken), brother Richard Fender and niece Jennifer Fender. Surviving family includes wife of 38 years, Jackye Hand Fender, daughters Emily Kristen Fender Shahan (Nate), Allison Elise Fender (Klint Atchley), brother Thomas Mark Fender (Lesa) and grandchildren Anthony Everett Gallagher, Nathan Robert Gallagher and Frances Bernadette Shahan. His oldest and dearest friends that he considered brothers include Clifford Daly (Kim) of Columbia, SC and John Cavanaugh (Monica) of Butte, MT. To Everett, all of his Anaconda friends were considered family. Everett truly loved his life, his family and his friends. Roll Tide Roll. Cremation has taken place. All are invited to join with the family Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home in Anaconda. Visitation will be at 6:15 pm. A celebration of his life will follow at 7:00 pm. After services, all are asked to follow the family to the Copper Crown, 221 East Park Avenue, for the telling of tales and toasts. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Anaconda Community Foundation, 118 E. 7th St., Third Floor, Anaconda, MT 59711, Anaconda Pintler Hospice, 118 E. 7th St., Ste. 1A, Anaconda, MT 59711 or Pintler Pets, PO Box 1204, Anaconda, MT 59711.

Visitation

JAN 17. 6:15 PM - 7:00 PM (MST)

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home 107 Oak St. Anaconda, MT 59711

Celebration of Life

JAN 17. 7:00 PM (MST)

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home 107 Oak St. Anaconda, MT 59711