Frederick Arthur Pascoe Jr.

1929 - 2025

Frederick Arthur Pascoe, Jr.

September 24, 1929 - September 3, 2025

Frederick Arthur Pascoe, Jr. "Art," passed away in Butte on September 3rd. Art was born to Frederick Arthur Pascoe, Sr. and Alice (Wenger) Pascoe in Butte on September 24, 1929.

Art attended local public schools graduating from Butte High School in 1948. He attended VanderCook School of Music in Chicago and graduated from Montana State College (now Montana State University) in 1952.

Art met Jane Dougherty in high school where they performed with the Butte High Band and Majorettes in the 1948 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. Art and Jane married on June 19, 1951 and enjoyed 64 years together until Jane's death in 2015. They shared six children, eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Art and Jane returned to Butte after college and Art started Pascoe Music Service in his parents' garage in 1953. Early on, "the shop" moved to East Park Street and later to the Butte Industrial Park. Art and his coworkers Al Aniksdal, Mark Cragwick, Ceil Kambich, Larry Johnson (and others) repaired and refurbished musical instruments from Montana and surrounding states until Art's retirement in 1994.

Art was an accomplished musician playing the trumpet in high school and college and with many local groups. He had special memories of leading the Black Knights dance band, which included his dear friend Don Trescothick, in the 1950's and 60's and playing with the Butte Copper Brass and Highlands Brass in his later years. In his forties, he taught himself to play the violin (no small feat) and enjoyed many years playing in the Butte Symphony.

Art was a voracious reader. Over the years he read so many books from the Butte Public Library that he began to leave his mark on the inside covers to be sure he was not rereading them. He was a prolific photographer and painter with many of his photos and paintings hanging proudly in the homes of family members. Art also made ships and houses in bottles that are cherished family keepsakes. All of his pieces are truly "works of Art."

After retirement, Art and Jane travelled to visit their children and grandchildren and to enjoy new experiences. New York City was a favorite destination. At 77 years of age, Art made his Broadway debut when he found the Holy Grail under his seat at New York's Shubert Theatre and was called to the stage for a picture with the cast of Spamalot!

As they aged, Art became an excellent caregiver for Jane. After her passing, he lived on his own for three years, until his daughter Julie and son-in-law Jim moved back to Butte to care for him for more than six years.

Art was preceded in death by his parents, wife Jane, daughter Peggy and son Bob. He is survived by son Bill (Janet), daughters Julie (Jim Bartee), Becky (Bob) Cianca and Jennie (Scott) Macumber, daughter-in law Linda Long (Ann Laskaya), grandchildren Dann (Erika) Cianca, Christina (Wayne) Butori, Brad (Rita) Pascoe, Stacey Pascoe, Jordan Bartee, Chase Bartee (Aimee Savard), Brian (Meredith) Macumber, Kevin (Megan) Macumber, Ashley (Travis) Ryal, Ellie Pascoe-Long and Joie Pascoe-Long and great grandchildren Hazel and Tucker Butori, Henry and Hadley Pascoe, and Harrison and Rhea Cianca.

The family would like to thank Doug from Stillwater Hospice and the staff at The Springs for caring for Dad in his final months and days.

No services are planned. Interment with take place at a later date when family can gather. Memorials can be directed to the Butte Symphony Orchestra, the Butte Public Library or the Butte Rescue Mission.