James David (Jim) Mockler was born March 9, 1939 in Lander, Wyoming, the fifth child of Esther Heyne Mockler and Frank Carpenter Mockler from Wisner and Omaha, Nebraska respectively. The Mocklers were cattle ranchers in the mountains of Dubois, Wyoming, 80 miles up the road. Jim died early Monday morning November 24, 2014 in Helena.
As a young boy Jim explored every inch of the beautiful Dubois area on his horse, dog in tow. He grew into a true ‘mountain man’, solitary, unpretentious, and hard working. Jim liked ranch work and life: irrigating, building fence and working with the cattle; hunting big game, and fishing in the Wind River which flowed through the ranch.
Jim was one of only five graduates of Dubois High School class of 1957, having spent two years at Schattuck Military School in Fairbeau, MN, and a year in Laramie High School, Laramie, Wyoming. As the 6’5″ Jim said, ‘three schools in four years pretty much screwed up my basketball years.’ In 1961, he earned a B.S. in Animal Production from the University of Wyoming, the same year single school teacher Colleen Ann Williams of Sheridan, Wyoming came to town and stole his heart. Jim and Colleen married in 1962, and along with Jim’s brother Franklin and wife Nancy bought the family-owned ranch. During those years son Richard and daughter Lana were born.
Jim and Franklin sold the ranch in 1966, and the young family moved to the Basin/Greybull area of Wyoming where they bought, then leased sugar beet farms, played a lot of Duplicate Bridge, and rode motorcycles and snowmobiles.
After getting his Broker’s license Jim owned and operated Mockler Land and Realty. During nine years in the Big Horn Basin, Jim earned his pilot’s license, was a member of the Antelope Butte Ski Patrol in the Bighorn Mountains, and a life member of the Greybull, WY, B.P.O.E., Elks. He was twice elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives. His lifelong interest in politics was instilled in him by his father Frank, who had been in Wyoming politics for over 20 years.
In 1976, the Mocklers moved to Helena where Jim held the position of Executive Director of the Montana Coal Council until his retirement in 2005. He also served in a number of volunteer civic positions, including the Montana Judicial Nomination Commission (1989-1993, appointed by Governor Stan Stevens); President, the Montana Society of Association Executives (President 88-90); national advocacy and advisory councils related to coal. In the community, he was a proud member of St. Mary Catholic Community and Kiwanis. Also, Jim was an annual volunteer for Kiwanis on behalf of the Salvation Army.
Jim and Colleen took up scuba diving in their later years, and loved their travels to many parts of the world. In 2004 a dream of Jim’s was fulfilled when he and Colleen built the ‘new’ Mockler’s Retreat on Canyon Ferry Lake, having leased the land and old cabin for over 25 years. Over the years, many wonderful times were spent there with family and friends.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Esther, his sister Helen Esther, brother, Franklin H. Mockler and sister-in-law, Nancy Fisher Mockler.
He is survived by his wife of over 52 years, Colleen; his son, Richard Williams Mockler of Kihei, Hawaii; and daughter, Lana Mockler Rowley, of Malin, Oregon; Richard’s wife Gini Galvin Lawson, son, Charles Ray Bratches Mockler; stepchildren, Hillary Cramer Ogg, and Sean and Connor Lawson; Lana’s husband, Martin F. Rowley and their children, James Mockler Rowley, and Kathryn Colleen Mockler Rowley; sister, Ann E. Stephens, of Tucson, Arizona; sister, Carolyn M. Budd and husband, William H. Budd of Big Piney, Wyoming; several nieces and nephews, cousins and one aunt.
A Vigil will be 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at Saint Mary Catholic Community, 1700 Missoula Avenue with Msgr. Joseph Harrington, presiding. Funeral Mass will be 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at Saint Mary with Father John Robertson and Father Edward J. Hislop, Con-Celebrating. A luncheon will follow in the social center of the church. Inurnment will be at a later date. Governor Matthew H. Mead has ordered the State of Wyoming flag be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at the Capitol in Cheyenne and in Big Horn County in honor of former Wyoming Legislator James D. Mockler. In lieu of flowers, the James D. Mockler Memorial Fund has been established at The First Security Bank of Helena, 1721 11th Avenue, Helena, MT 59601, or P. O. Box 218, Helena, MT 59624. This fund has been established for any young person willing to learn a trade. For more information please email Mocklerfund@gmail.com . To offer that family a condolence or to share a memory of Jim please visit below.
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:30 p.m.
Tuesday December 2, 2014
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:10 p.m.
Wednesday December 3, 2014
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Luncheon
Immediately following Mass
Wednesday December 3, 2014
Social Center of Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Inurnment
At a Later Date
Columbarium Niche at Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:30 p.m.
Tuesday December 2, 2014
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:10 p.m.
Wednesday December 3, 2014
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Luncheon
Immediately following Mass
Wednesday December 3, 2014
Social Center of Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Inurnment
At a Later Date
Columbarium Niche at Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Share
Allison, Andy, Patrick & Cassandra says
Colleen, we were so saddened to hear about Jim’s passing. He was always a man who carried himself with such presence. I know how dearly you will miss your Mr. Mockler. God bless you and your family and you are in thoughts and prayers…continuing.
John--Carol Brenden says
Colleen and family, we are very saddened on the passing of our friend, Jim. A great person and compatriot. We were all in the same sides in the battles fought. He had a heart even bigger than he was! All the good times together, Jack Pine, lake, golf, conventions, coal council, politics, etc. he was a legend in his time and all the friends he had. God Bless you all and as Bob Hope would sing, “Thanks for the memories”. John and. Carol Brenden
Betsy and Bruce Baumgart says
Dear Colleen,
Please accept our heartfelt sympathies to you and your family. I remember Jim during my hotel days when I was working with MT Society of Association Executives. He was one of those “quiet giants.” He had such great presence and was well respected by all those who had the pleasure of working with him. God Bless You and your family. Bruce and Betsy Baumgart
Helena Kiwanis Club says
Dear Colleen and Family,
On behalf of all 90 members of the Helena Kiwanis Club where we shared lunch and fellowship with Jim every Monday, please accept our heartfelt sympathies on the passing of our fellow Kiwanian. The emptiness he leaves is evident, and we will all miss him. May God bless you and your family. Bill War, President on behalf of the Helena Kiwanis Club.
Gloria Geis says
Jim was such a funny man and I think every day of something funny he shared. He would say something was fine as a frog’s hair–pretty fine, right? Also when persons rode with him he would say “the bus is leaving” at a certain time. If persons were not ready to go they had to find othe rides, because “the bus is leaving.” And they got left too!
Also drove with car lights on for a holiday because he wanted the other car people to see him when he ran into them. It may not have always been what he said but how he said it that was funny. He will be so missed.
Darlene Wimmer says
RIP I have gotten to love your families history. i am on the Dubois Museum Assoisation board. WOW the Mockler family has left wonderful footprints in our part of the world. Wish i could have known all of you . The love of your friends and family will never go away.
God bless all……. From Dubois, Wy
Dennis Appelhans says
My grandpa Felix Appelhans and Jim’s dad were great friends. In the 1950s and 60s we were allowed to fish the Wind River on the ranch property and would visit with the family at times. We missed the Mocklers when the ranch was sold. My wife and I owned a business in Dubois in the 1990s but never fished that portion of the river again. Out prayers to all the family. Eternal Rest grant unto Jim O Lord and let Your Perpetual Light shine upon him.
John Dorr says
So sorry to hear of your loss. You’re in my prayers.
Gail (CVS) says
Colleen, I’m so sorry my friend. My thoughts and love are with you during this time of challenge and change. If there is ANYTHING I can do to help you, please don’t hesitate to ask. Hugs
Larry and Carolyn Anderson says
Jim’s Family. Jim was a good friend and a fine man. He will be missed.
Larry and Carolyn Anderson
John Connor and Randi Hood says
Jim was our wonderful neighbor for 27 years. We will miss his great sense of humor and always friendly manner. We are just a few feet away Colleen, so don’t hesitate to call on us for anything.
John and Randi
Harlan and Cathy Rudolf says
My dear friend, Colleen, we were so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Your Mr. Mockler was a very special man and definitely one of a kind. They don’t make ’em like that any more! I’m so glad your family is there with you. Please know that you are all in my prayers in Mesquite, NV.