Paul Anton Pilati

1927 - 2025

Paul Anton Pilati, native son of Red Lodge, passed away on August 5, 2025. Paul was born on December 1, 1927, the third of four sons, to Leo and Mary Pilati who were early area homesteaders. From an early age, Paul developed an entrepreneurial spirit and started a diary business with a few cows selling milk and cream to local families. Paul's desire was to be a lawyer but he was not able to complete pre-law at Missoula due to lack of funds. Paul was elected Clerk of Carbon County District Court in late 1949 about to fill his position but was drafted to serve in the Korean War. During his service in 1950 and 1951, Paul was in operations and planning in combat zones. While serving, Paul created a school to help soldiers reach an eighth grade level of education and received eight battle stars at the end of his service. Years later, in 2010, Paul was presented the Korean Cultural Foundation Medal for participating in protecting the freedom of South Korea. After returning from the Korean war, Paul graduated with a Master's Degree in Agriculture Economics writing his thesis on water law covering water appropriation in the western U.S. which is still used in Congress as a guide in water distribution in the west.

While continuing cattle ranching and teaching history and economics, Paul became interested in real estate, fulfilling his dream of developing Grizzly Peak Mountain Homes. Paul obtained his broker's license, opened Grizzly Peak Realty and eventually developed Mountainbrook.

In 1977 Paul married Claudette Audier combining their families: Paul's son Jon from his marriage to Leona Lampi; his daughters Lisa and Stacey from his marriage to Evalee Bomar and Claudette's three children; Michel, Catherine and Francois Desplanches.

Paul will be remembered for his stories of "the old Red Lodge" and his friendly nature. Paul was always willing to lend a hand to a neighbor by plowing out a snowy road, helping a stranger out of a ditch or giving food to a needy family. As a professional realtor his knowledge was endless.

Paul was preceded in death by his brothers Paul, Richard, his son Jon and his earlier wives Leona and Evalee. Paul is survived by his wife Claudette, his brother Julius, his daughter Lisa Spencer (grandsons Ethan and Jacob Spencer), his daughter Stacey and his stepchildren, Fr Michel Desplanches, Catherine Blair (spouse, Peter and daughters Stephanie and Nathalie) and Francois Desplanches (spouse, Lynne and sons Alain and Julien) as well as many cousins, nephews and nieces.

Funeral services will be held at St. Agnes Church in Red Lodge on August 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM. Interment at the Red Lodge Cemetery will follow the Mass and refreshments will be served at the church after interment. Donations in Paul's memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate). Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Paul.