Ben Parsons, an accomplished endurance athlete and Whitefish firefighter, was killed Jan. 5 in an avalanche while backcountry skiing on Stanton Mountain in Glacier National Park. He was 36.
Greg Lindstrom
The Two Bear Air helicopter circles the Flathead County Fairgrounds before the procession arrives at the memorial for Ben Parsons on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
A memorial for Ben Parsons on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
A memorial for Ben Parsons on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Hilary Shaw and Maggie Doherty speak at the memorial for Ben Parsons on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
A memorial for Ben Parsons on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Members of the South Kalispell Fire Department watch a video at the memorial for Ben Parsons on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Justin Woods, with the Whitefish Fire Department, speaks at the memorial for Ben Parsons on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Brandon French hugs Justin Woods, with the Whitefish Fire Department, before speaking with Joel Shehan, right, at the memorial for Ben Parsons on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Billy O'Donnell, left, and Burket Kniveton walk off the stage after speaking at the memorial for Ben Parsons on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Billy O’Donnell hugs Jen Parsons at the memorial for Ben Parsons on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Larry Parsons hugs his wife, Val, and daughter, Josie after speaking at the memorial for his son, Ben Parsons, on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Jen Parsons speaks at the memorial for her husband, Ben Parsons, on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
A memorial for Ben Parsons on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Pastor Dan Sandler dons a hat while speaking at the memorial for Ben Parsons on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
A memorial for Ben Parsons on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
A memorial for Ben Parsons on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Members of the Honor Guard present an American flag to Jen Parsons at the memorial for Ben Parsons on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Members of the Honor Guard present American flags to the Parsons family at the memorial for Ben Parsons on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Members of the Honor Guard salute the Parsons family after presenting them with American flags at the memorial for Ben Parsons on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
The Honor Guard rings a bell, signaling the end of watch, at the memorial for Ben Parsons on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
A memorial for Ben Parsons on Jan. 12, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
