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Jeffrey “Jeff” Paul Box, 32, of Missoula, formerly of Helena and Casper, Wyoming, passed away Thursday, July 3, 2014, at his home surrounded by his family and friends after a long courageous battle with cancer.
He was born on March 27, 1982, in Casper, to Gordon and Sonja (Bartenhagen) Box. He spent his childhood in Casper and moved to Helena just before his junior year in high school. He graduated in 2000 from Capital High School in Helena. He attended and graduated from Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula in 2004.
He met the love of his life, Elena M. Ortiz, in 2010. It was love at first sight and from that moment on she was always by his side. They were married on October 12, 2012, in Las Vegas. Jeff had always wanted to be a dad and was blessed with four beautiful step-children that he loved with all his heart. He found great joy spending time with them and showering them with his never-ending love.
He enjoyed going to church, taking walks, camping, fishing, shopping, finding items to fix up into beautiful treasures and spending time with friends. He loved being outside and saw the beauty of all God's creations. He loved, and had a natural gift for, photography and woodworking. His greatest pleasure was spending time with his family and going on adventures with them.
Prior to his illness he worked at Rocky Mountain Hospice as a CNA, where he shared his love and compassion with those in his care. He was diagnosed with his second round of cancer in June 2012. He was a strong fighter and lived every day to its fullest. His greatest hope was to grow old beside his beautiful wife.
He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Millard Box; his grandmother, Lila Story; and his nephew, Austin Garnier.
He is survived by his wife, Elena, and their children Keegan Ortiz, Jena Hermes, Madison Hermes and Jaedin Hermes; parents Gordon and Pam Box, and Sonja Box; grandparents Bertha Box and Jack (Marie) Bartenhagen; brother Jacob Box; sisters Tammy (Steve) Garnier and Jackie (Josh) McKay; and his nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8, at River of Life Ministries, 4007 Highway 200 in East Missoula, with Pastor Jason Tonn officiating. Friends may visit with family one hour prior to services at the church.
Jeff's family would like to thank his River of Life family; his mother and father-in-law Gary and Bobbi Offill and Hospice of Missoula for all of their love, care, and support through this time.
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