Michael "Mike" James

Michael "Mike" James, age 65, of Glasgow, Montana passed away surrounded by his family on Oct. 20, 2021.  

Mike was born July 8, 1956, in Denver, Colorado to Thomas and Mildred (Wilson) James. He joined one brother at home, Bill.

He graduated from Eureka High School in 1975.

Mike joined the United States Army, and was honorably discharged in 1979.

After the Army he worked as a crane operator for his family's business.

He met the love of his life, Terri, in 1985. They welcomed their first child together, Nathan, into the world in 1987.

Shortly after they moved to Helena, Montana and Mike started school at the Vo-Tech.

He graduated with an Electronics Degree.

Mike started working for the U.S. Geological Survey as a student and shortly after was hired into a full-time position of a Hydrological Technician. Shortly after this, Mike and Terri welcomed their daughter, Jenni, in 1989.

In 1995, Mike's job transferred them to Glasgow, Montana.

He wound up retiring from the Geological Survey in 2000 and started his very reputable company, Royal Image Construction, which kept him busy year-round.

He built his company based off of his meticulous skills and worked hard to make sure his customers were happy with every job. 

Every year, he made time for hunting and fishing, and even after moving to Glasgow, the hunting traditions with friends from Helena continued.

His most recent adventure was checking a tuna fishing trip off of his bucket list.

Mike enjoyed taking trips and adventures with his wife and his grandkids.

He had a love for a good drive with some even better company, showing Terri and the grandkids some new country along the way.

He was an avid Fox News watcher and couldn't wait to bend your ear about events going on in the world.  

Mike loved his grandchildren and spent most of his spare time teaching them new skills, doing projects, and sugaring them up.

He always had a shoulder to lean on while he sipped a hot cup of coffee and listened to a story.

Mike had so much love to give that together with Terri over the last 15 years they took in numerous foster children and even accepted guardianship of two girls, Berta and Ava.

Mike was so proud of his family and the life he had built together with his beautiful wife over the last 36 years. 

He is survived by his wife, Terri; brother, Bill; sons, Tom (Elizabeth), Nathan, and Michael (Carrisa); daughters, Cheryl, Michelle (Darrel), Jenni (Josh), Roberta, and Ava and grandchildren Karsyn, Grace, Oakley, and CJ. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Mildred.

A memorial service with military honors will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5 at Bell Mortuary.

Pastor Doris Tollefson will officiate.

Condolences may be left at bellmortuarymontana.com.