Ethan Ray-James Winscot

Ethan went to be with Jesus unexpectedly on May 30, 2008. He was camping with close friends, as Ethan loved to do, when there was a go-kart accident by the river.

Ethan was born on June 21, 1997, to Karessa Palmer and Steve Winscot. Ethan had this way of getting into your heart from the first second he was born. His mom remembers that he was a "perfect baby," sleeping through the night (which is any mother's dream) and he was always happy. One thing about Ethan: He was a climber from the beginning, before he was walking, he was climbing on EVERYTHING.

Ethan participated in the 5K Governor's Cup at the age of two with his Aunt Cara and Uncle Chris. A stroller went along, but ended up being unused. Ethan completed the race, running through all the sprinklers on the way.

Everyone in the family had a better life because Ethan was in it. Everything was fun with Ethan. He really loved Jesus, his family, his friends, fishing, camping, floating, shooting, motorcycles and his dog. Ethan was a busy boy. His love for climbing stayed with him his whole life. The reason we can say that is one of Ethan's goals in life was to be a good cat hunter. He had a dog he wanted to train and he was everyone's hunting buddy. Here's the climber part of him: He was always the first one to the top of the hill hunting, no matter whom he was hunting with. Okay, maybe we will mention who he beat to the top of the hill every time: It was Josh, Grandpa Kevin, Uncle Caleb, Uncle Tim and Uncle Justin.

That was hunting, but Ethan was also a great fisherman. Ethan's grandpa, Ray Beeman, is already in heaven. Before he left the family, Grandpa Ray said he would be the one with the biggest boat in heaven. We all suspect that might be true, but Ethan will be the one catching the most fish, as he usually did.

Ethan started a new sport recently, folfing, with Aunt Lisa and Uncle Joe. They bought him his own disc and he did the best of the whole group on his first day. Needless to say, Ethan was planning to do it again!

Ethan liked school and enjoyed all of his friends. He loved gym and recess; climbing and running and jumping and doing what boys like to do. His friends were all very important to him. He was looking forward to going to middle school next year and getting involved in track and football.

Ethan is not lost, we all know right where he is ... with his Jesus. But those of us left behind do feel a little lost without him. He is survived by his mom and step-dad, Karessa and Josh Longmire; his dad and step-mom, Steve and Sheila Winscot; four sisters, Anda, Alayna, Nevada and Kamera; as well as numerous grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, not to mention all of his friends.

Viewing for Ethan is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4, at the Retz Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service celebrating Ethan's life is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, at the Neighborhood Assembly of God Church, 2475 Stuart, with a reception to be held at the church following the service. Cremation will take place after the service with burial set for 11 a.m. on Friday, June 6, at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorials in Ethan's name are suggested to the Neighborhood Assembly of God Church, 2475 Stuart, Helena, MT 59601. To offer a condolence to Ethan's family, or to share a memory of Ethan, please visit www.mem.com.

How do you end this? We don't know ... we just love him so much, will miss him terribly and no one will ever take his place in our hearts. We'll see you soon, Ethan.

Express condolences at www.legacy.com/HelenaIR.