James Paul “Jim” Gregory, age 65, of Helena passed away early Sunday morning, November 1, 2015 at his home in Helena. Jim was born in Helena, Montana October 3, 1950 to Louis P. “Hap” and Ida E. (Hartz) Gregory. He attended schools in Helena, graduating Helena High in 1969.
Jim entered and served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1974 where he received several awards and decorations including two Purple Hearts. He returned to Helena and started his 27 year career with the ASARCO Smelter in East Helena. Jim and Marcele (Langendorfer) Wollitz were married in 1986 and lived on the Missouri River below Canyon Ferry Dam. She preceded him in death in January of 2009.
Jim was a man of high integrity, he gave you his honest opinion whether you wanted it or not. Jim always wanted to spend as much time with his son as he could. He had a great sense of humor and a great big genuine smile and a laugh to go with it. He looked forward to days when he could get on his Harley and ride for hours. He loved his wife, his son as deeply as one could love.
Jim was the most generous person his son ever knew, he looked forward to playing pool and going to dinner with his son and daughter-in-law every week. His favorite yearly event was his 10 days in Sturgis every August. He attended twenty five consecutive bike rallies.
In addition to his wife Marcele, Jim was preceded in death by his father Hap and mother Ida. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Ben and Crystal Gregory of Helena; his first wife and mother of Ben, Mary Ann Gregory of Helena; grandson, Milo expected to be born February 2016; sister and brother-in-law Patricia L. and Daniel Maness of Helena; and step-son Jeremy Wollitz of Helena and extended family and many friends.
A Funeral Liturgy will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, November 6, 2015 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. Interment with military honors will be at Montana State Veterans Cemetery at FT. Harrison. A reception will follow at the Glass Slipper. Memorial in Jim’s name are suggested to the V.F.W. Post 10010 P.O. Box 97, East Helena, Montana 59635. To offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Jim please visit below.
Service Schedule
Funeral Liturgy
1:30 p.m.
Friday November 6, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Immediately following the Funeral Liturgy
Friday November 6, 2015
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Row
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Funeral Liturgy
1:30 p.m.
Friday November 6, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Immediately following the Funeral Liturgy
Friday November 6, 2015
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Row
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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Gary Glennon says
Jim and Marcele were mainstays at camp in Sturgis each year. From the early days at Southside Campground to our most recent times at Hog Heaven, Jim was one of the “regulars” and we all enjoyed his company. Stories will be shared for years to come, as we will continue to fondly remember him each time we meet in the Black Hills.
The “Geezers” will miss him sorely…
Gary Glennon, Wisconsin
deb stansberry says
So very sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I got to know him thru my cousin howie, at the annual pig parties. He will be missed………
Jack and Sherryl Vaughn says
Jack shot pool with Jim and Marcela for years! They both were great people! Rest in peace dear friend!
Barb Marcoux says
Jim was a big man with a big heart!
Rest in peace Jim.
John and Margaret Miller says
We have know Jim for a long time and considered him our friend we were in Sturgis this last year with him we all went out to dinner together and Jim bought dinner for our group. I have know Jim for a lot of years I Margaret went to grade school with Jim at the old St Mary’s school many years ago. Jim will be missed and it is hard to believe he is really gone.
Becky and Buck Buckmaster says
Jim always made sure to attend his HHS Class of ’69 reunions and made you feel he really missed talking with everyone. We were sure to always see him at brother, Lenny & Myrna Mason’s annual Christmas soiree – we will surely miss him.
Bill marshall says
Grew up together…great friends…great memories…will miss him….God Bless you jim
Mike & Mary Fetter Root says
Jim’s family and friends sorry to hear about your loss. Jim was my brother Junior’s best friend and partner in crime. He will be missed. Know that the Guardian Angels will watch over him until you meet again.
Tina and Rick Longmire says
Rick and I had many adventures (as well as many misadventures) with Jim and Marcele. We partied hearty many a time whether we were snowmobiling, traveling to the open wheel races, camping, or spending time at the Red Meadow. Jim introduced us to the Sturgis Bike Rally shortly after Marcele’s passing and it was a race to ‘the parking spot’ at Hog Heaven every year after that. Jim would argue with me about everything and he was always telling me ‘and don’t Google that!!’. Jim was a friend and he will be missed. Now he’s got good knees and probably the fastest wings in heaven. RIP Yimmy.
Mary Ann Gregory says
To our dear son. Benjamin. You know my heart you are a blessing to your father and I. A man who has many friends is also blessed. We couldn’t have had you without each other. Even though it was not meant to be – I am happy we were able to share our holidays with you and Crystal these past couple of years. I love you Benjamin. It was always nice to hear you say that to your father after each phone call you shared with him. You are your fathers son in so many ways for which I am grateful – his honesty integrity and so much more.
Bruce "Tex" Pearson says
Adios Amigo, we had a lot of good times with a lot of good friends. I blessed that I have had the opportunity to come to Helena several times and hang with the “nugget kickers” (You, Howie, Leny & Myrna, Brook & Maria, “Bones” & Margaret, Curt, Glenn & Donna, Frank & Ina, Owen & Shannon, Jim & Birdie, Rick & Tina, Bob, et al). You will certainly be missed, and you will be in my thoughts every time I listen to “The Vet” by Michael O’Neal.
Jenn and Rob Furtney says
Maryanne, Ben, Crystal, Jeremy, Kim, Cole, Aaron, Shane, Wes and families
we are so sorry to hear about Jim’s passing. He was a very generous soul. We didn’t know him well, but knew how much he loved his entire family. The day that Marcele, Jeremy and Rob went skydiving is a day that we will always cherish for many reasons!
R.I.P. Jim
Rose Moore and Margie (Moore) Ahern says
Jim we be missed by all his family and friends. Our family all the Moore’s grew up with Jim and alway’s had so many great times and laughs . Although my mom and I do not live in Helena anymore whenever we returned for a visit and seen Jim we would have fun discussing all the good times from the past.
Rose Moore – Billings,MT
Margie Ahern – Laurel,MT
Kristina Blomquist says
Ben I am sorry for your loss. I had a lot of fun times with Jim and Marcele. Your dad as you had some pretty amazing stories that I am not likely to forget. I wish you peace and love at this time, God Bless
Laurie Lewis Chandler says
I knew Gregory for years. That is what we always called him when we were young. He taught me how to ride a motorcycle and tried to talk me out of marrying my first husband. Wish I had listened! lol Jim was always a lot of fun and a good friend and cared deeply about those he knew. He will be missed by many.
Kennon Baird says
I knew Jim at Helena Jr. High, where we were in art class together. He had a great sense of humor, and was a good guy.
Ben Gregory says
I would like to thank you all for your kind words, prayers and thoughtful memories of my father. He was my very best friend. I love him with all of my heart, and I’m glad to know that his aches and pains no longer limit him. These past few years have been some of my fondest times with him. I know that his last stop is heaven, and I’m glad he is with Marcele again. I miss him terribly. I love you Dad
Evelyn Knowles says
Jim will be missed by all by all of us. Jim grew up with the Gavaghan and Knowles family he lived across the street from us in the Stewart Homes. We shared alot memories that we talked about at times when we seen each other the Moore family and us along with Jim.He sometimes would ride up on his motorcycle to my sisters home or be in his truck with his little dogs to stop by to say hi.We’ll miss you, Our prayers are with the family. Kathy Gavaghan Temple,Evelyn Knowles, BettyAnn Brown (Knowles), Sheree Peters(Knowles) and friend Linda Weber
Jeremy Wollitz says
Thank you! We had some great times….and a few not so great times….usually because you were always right and so was I 😉 You’ve always had so much on your plate, yet managed to make time for everyone important in your life. Everything changed for me when I first saw you interact with Aaron and Cole. This rough and tough man became a big soft teddy bear……and it touched my heart. The love and kindness you gave to me, Kim, Shane, Wes, Aaron, Cole, extended family and friends never went unnoticed and will not be forgotten.. You touched all our lives in so many different ways and you will be very missed. A special thank you for being a loving husband and best friend to my Mom….it was a love like I’ve never seen before. Rest in peace….I love you.
Shauna Longmire says
Ben, Jeremy and family,
I am so sorry for the loss of Jim. I called him Uncle Jim, and Marcele, Auntie M, they were like family. We shared many arguments, laughs, beers, jokes and fun! I will miss the heated discussions that Jim and I had because even if I was right, Jim would argue with me to the bitter end! I am gonna miss ya Uncle Jim. Rest in Peace and God’s Speed!
Dan and Patricia Maness says
Jim is going to be missed. We have done so many things together. Thursday nights used to be an automatic Chinese food dinner at L& D’s or Yat Son,s with Jim, Mom, Dan, Iris and me.
One of the memorable times is when Jim and Ben and Mom came up to Yakutat Alaska and spent Christmas with us.
Jim is loved and he will be missed. Heaven just gained an angel.
kelly schroeder rhimer says
Ben and family,
I havent seen your Dad for awhile. He was a great ftiend to me. He ran around with my Uncle James Gavaghan back in the day. My uncle always said if I ever had a problem with anyone to let my uncle, Sid Morrow or Jim Gregory know. Well my uncle left this earth early and then we lost Sid and now your Dad. Its very sad thay you Dad has gone, but now he wont be in physical pain or mental. Your Dad had a heart as big as he was. I am glad you got to spend some quality time with him these last few years. I met you a couple of times when you were little. I believe the last time you were about 9. Hopefully we will meet again. Jim I hope your new journey is a happy and safe one. Love and prayets to your family.
Greg Sowle says
We are grateful for the time that Jim spent with us at the campground in Sturgis each year.
Thanks for all the good memories. He will be missed.
Tom Kilmer says
………..ah Jim Gregory. What a fun and decent fellow. I remember once when we were messing around in the “dirt mounds” near Stewart Homes. I accidentally whacked him in the forehead with a rock. I took off running and he chased me for the longest time before I got away. But no hard feelings. We were still friends. Later when we both had motorcycles in our high school years we would see each other and tear around. I remember him and I zooming up a hill over where the Helena High practice field is now. We would catch big air at the top and then go do it again. Too bad he is gone. He will be missed.
Todd and Rehanna Olson says
Maryanne and Ben,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Treasure the memories of your dad, Ben. They will carry you through the rough spots. Much love.