James “Jim” Earl Elliott of Helena, Montana died October 6, 2019, at the age of 85. He died surrounded by his loved ones in Helena, Montana. Jim was born February 23, 1934 to Earl and Rosezella Elliott in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Jim grew up with his parents and younger sister, Marie, in Helena, Montana.
Jim graduated from Helena High School; attended Brigham Young University in Utah; and graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana with a Bachelor of Science degree. Jim served over 42 years in the Montana National Guard and reached the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4). He worked 34 years at the United States Geological Survey as a Hydrologic Tech.
Jim loved to hunt; fish; shoot his guns; and most of all, all of his pet animals which are too many to count. Jim’s favorite poem was “The Rainbow Bridge”. We’re sure Jim is surrounded by all of his pets right now at the end of that bridge. Jim was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all his life. He was also a boy scout leader for the church early in his life and remained good friends with his scouts to the end of his life.
He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his wife Bobbee, children (Mike, Bonnie, and John), 7 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lewis & Clark Humane Society.
Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. in Helena. A viewing will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2019 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1260 Otter Rd in Helena. A funeral service will follow the viewing at 1:00 p.m. at the church. A graveside service will follow the funeral service at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A reception will be held back in the church fellowship hall following the burial. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Jim.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday October 10, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Viewing
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Friday October 11, 2019
The Church of Latter-day Saints
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday October 11, 2019
The Church of Latter-day Saints
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana 59601
Graveside Service
Following the funeral service
Friday October 11, 2019
Sunset Memorial Gardens
Helena, Montana
Reception
Following the graveside service
Friday October 11, 2019
The Church of Latter-day Saints
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday October 10, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Viewing
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Friday October 11, 2019
The Church of Latter-day Saints
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday October 11, 2019
The Church of Latter-day Saints
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana 59601
Graveside Service
Following the funeral service
Friday October 11, 2019
Sunset Memorial Gardens
Helena, Montana
Reception
Following the graveside service
Friday October 11, 2019
The Church of Latter-day Saints
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana 59601
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MSG.RT. Henry Adams says
Jim was a great Warrant Officers in the National Guard, He took real good care of anybody that worked with him.
Jim spent a lot of extra time making sure everything was up to standard in his Armory.
I will miss seeing his smiling face and talks when we would see each other.
RIP Mr. Elliot
Patricia Ladd says
Jim was a wonderful friend, always willing to help with anything he could. He had a ready smile for everyone and loved his animals. He had many friends in the National Guard, Boy Scouts, and the USGS. I will miss him.
Millard Hiner says
Jim
Millard Hiner says
Jim was always there to help with all the equipment we used to monitor the water resources of Montana. He was the “expert” we all relied on when it came to the maintenance or the use the many different pieces of equipment we used. Jim was a very valued friend and will be missed .
kent dodge says
I met Jim in 1978 as a colleague at the US Geological Survey. To me Jim was the sage of common sense and taught me to differentiate the substance from the fluff. Jim also gave great guidance and instruction when we did some shoreline work for which I will always be grateful. Jim will be missed, but his spirit lives on in those he touched.
Joe Moreland says
Jim was the perfect example of someone dedicated to his job and his profession. He was always there to help people who needed assistance. He was the master we all went to when we needed help with equipment. I extend my sympathy to his family and friends. Jim was one of the best we had.
Brent Madsen says
My cousin Jim and I shared a lot of time on the phone and had a lot of interesting stories to tell. I would tell him some jokes that he really enjoy. He was really proud of his children and grand children. Jim tearfully told me that he was so thankful for Bibbee and the caring way she sook care of him
Cleo Schultz says
Bobbee and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Jims passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Butch and Chico Schultz
Lee Chambers says
Lee Chambers says
Jim was a good teacher and mentor.
Myrlin Schatz Family says
Bobbee & Family
I am sorry to hear of the passing of Jimmy. I have known your family for as long as I have lived. My sister and I remember his dad trying to pick us up walking from school one day. I remember the stories of him and my Dad learning to drive while sitting on Jima lap. Jim was as stated before a very good , proud and smart person. A valued friend to those who knew him. He will be missed. Bobbee Thank you for caring for him in the last days and stressful time.
ron shields says
I met Jim 50 years ago. Valued friend neighbor,co-worker and fellow US Army veteran. Rest in Peace my friend, i’ll miss you. I don’t know who is going to fix my Pygmy meter.
Gina says
From the moment he walked in to my office at USGS in 2009 and asked if I was related to the Nugent out at the Fort, we have been buddies. Not much time went by before one of us was checking in with the other. I loved his stories of his Scouts, meeting Bobbee, USGS, MT Guard, his kids (including all the Guardsmen), and of course his animals. I will miss our annual date to the MT Guard NCO breakfast, where he would introduce me as his date to all the people who already knew me. We would always make my husband pay for breakfast and even allowed him to sit with us. 😉 While I told him not to be in a rush, he was looking forward to being with all his animals. His faith in God is a testimony to all of us. I look forward to seeing him again!! Until then, I will hold the memories in my heart and be thankful for the joy he added to my life.
Kurt C Jenewein says
Jim was a nice and friendly man to work with at the USGS. It was a pleasure and privilege to know and work with him. Thanks for the smiles Jim.
Karen Elliott says
I met Jim through my work at the Animal Center Veterinary Hospital. His, and Bobbies dedication to homeless animals was remarkable. I will always remember his dedication to the pets he took under his wing. His dream was to be reunited with those pets that passed before him. I picture him joyfully reunited with them. Peace be with you Jim.
jay schmidt says
So sorry to hear about Jim’s passing it was a pleasure knowing him and we will miss him.
Pat Nugent says
I met Jim in the late 80’s when he and I served together in the Guard. Although Jim’s been retired for over 25 years, he’s been a great friend to myself and my wife Gina. We have great connections with Jim from both the Montana Guard and the USGS and he will be sorely missed from his laugh, his stories, his always being at retirements and Guard or USGS functions with retiree’s. It will be a more lonely world without him, he will be missed. Look forward to celebrating his life at his service, Gina and I will be there Friday to celebrate.
Val Jaffe says
I will always hold fond and thankful memories of time spent with Jim; working in the field, learning about tools and methods, and later visiting with him around Helena. Jim became a fast friend and colleague when we both worked in the same building, and I was a new hydrology technician for the US Forest Service. When I sought help from the USGS in learning my trade, Jim taught me how to effectively use and maintain a variety of stream measurement equipment. We shared many a treasured conversation about our pets, our jobs, tools, and learning how to do things well. Jim was always kind, friendly and practical; a generous and special mentor. I will miss his generous smiles.
Brent Perschon says
Jim is a man of absolute integrity, you knew the second you shook his hand and looked into his eyes. He loved the Lord and all Gods creations. Loves his wife Bobbee and his children. We will miss him dearly.
Norm Midtlyng says
I was lucky to have known Jim when he worked for the USGS. He was a thorough and thoughtful man. Jim would generously spend his time to ensure you knew how to operate or fix a certain piece of scientific equipment. He was also a great story teller. One of his favorites was about how Tom Reed saved his life. Back in the day Tom and Jim were preparing to make a winter flow discharge measurement on the Yellowstone River. This involved drilling 25+ evenly spaced holes, through several feet of ice, across the river channel so they could drop a device down each hole to obtain a depth and velocity. They had hauled all their equipment to the top of the bank when Tom said he needed a cigarette. While Tom smoked, a sudden surge of flow came down the channel and within minutes the river was free of ice. Jim always wondered what would have happened if Tom didn’t have a smoke. Thanks Jim for your warm smile, endearing laugh, and our friendship over the years. I’ll miss ya.
Marta Schmidt says
We are so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I looked forward to waving to him every morning on my way to work, as he walked out to grab the morning paper. Always a smile on his face. He fought a good fight and he will truly be missed. Rest in Peace Jim
Christine Caye Bugni says
So sorry to hear about Jim’s passing. Jim and Bobbi lived across the street from my family home. I babysat their kids. I spent a lot of time at the Elliott house riding horses and just hanging out. Jim used to call me his adopted daughter. I never saw Jim without a smile on his face. My heart goes out to Bobbi, Mike, Bonnie and John.
DeDe D Gonzalez says
Sorry to hear about Jim’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife & family. I just lost my Daddy on the 29th of October so I feel the sadness of your loss. Maybe they are visiting about their guns and hunting in Heaven right now. Blessings to all the family.
Sharon Thrailkill Sargeson says
I was saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a good friend that I met in the National Guard. He always knew where the pet
shops were when we were at Annual Training. He was also
a great CW4 in the 3669th Maintenance Company.
My prayers are with you Bobbee.
Jim inley says
Jim knew every place in Montana that had good pie. I found this out while out in the field with him. We would be driving down the road and he would say “That place has good pie”. It didn’t take me too long to get the hint.
He was a great guy, and I’m blessed with having known him.
Jim Finley says
Jim Finley, not Jim inley
Kathy Petty says
I worked for USGS in Denver when my new boss Millard Hiner moved from Helena to Denver. He said he wanted me to be the Equipment Specialist and he wanted Jim Elliott to train me. That was in 1989 and we have been best friends since. I would spend a lot of vacation days with Jim and Bobbee throughout the years. I will miss him greatly. My prayers go out the Bobbee, Mike, Bonnie, and John.
Martin Malesich says
Martin R Malesich (CSM-Ret) I had the pleasure and honor to work with Mr. Elliot at the MMA. A fine WO and gentleman. I am proud to recall his as my friend. RIP.
Dayle Williams says
I’m sorry to hear of your loss. May your thoughts and remembrance of Jim bring smiles to you.
Vicki Sanburg says
I loved listening to Jim talk about his growing up years and his friends and family back then. He taught both of my brothers in boy scouts, and loved to tell stories about them. His love of the youth continued long after his boy scout years. I remember my son coming home from church one Sunday so excited that Jim had told him what to use for bait, and when and where to go to have the best chance of landing a big trout at Canyon Ferry. I loved to hear him bear his testimony of the Savior. He was a humble and good man. I am so sorry for your loss. Vicki Lay Sanburg
Karen Crogan says
Just a couple weeks ago I mentioned to another neighbor that I’d seen Jim at St Pete’s and that he still had a great smile and hadn’t lost his sense of humor. I’ll miss seeing him in his truck. He was one of the good guys.
Lori Ryan says
I am sorry to hear of your loss. I met Jim at my mom Colleen Trinder’s funeral several years ago. I enjoyed his stories about my grandfather Claude R Trinder who brought Jim into the Montana National Guard and how they become good friends. We met for coffee several times and he often called to check in and visit about my grandfather, helping him farm and harvest. He always told me he wanted to make one more trip to the farm, I always enjoyed our visits. My thoughts and prayer are with all of you! Lori Ryan
Cathy says
I met Mr. Elliott when I joined the National Guard in 1974. I am grateful for the kindness that he and Dick Piersky showed me during the four years I served with them. They were respectful, tolerant, and patient with my youthful inexperience and took me under their wings to show me how to do my job. I extend my sympathy to a family who has lost a wonderful, caring, kind hearted man.
Mary Moore Harrington says
I just learned of Jimmy’s passing, I was out of state when it happened and I don’t get the paper. Jimmy was like a big brother to me. Our families did so many things together. Lots of fishing, hunting and picnics. We always had a great time. Last time I saw him he was buying dog food to donate to the human society. For a time we lived close across 10 acres and you could see him feed his dogs and a donkey followed him around the yard wanting attention. He always had his dogs and they loved him. I will miss him
Mike Elliott says
It has been nearly 4 yrs now since Dads passing. I miss you terribly,.. I know you exist and I believe you are happily busy serving the Lord.
So many things I wish I could say to you. I am so very grateful for you. You set an amazing example in areas I didn’t even recognize 5-10 yrs ago. Certainly there was bad, but there was so so much goodness there. I suppose that is the way of it. Always learning about ourselves and our parents our entire lives.
I look forward to seeing you again; Christ permitting.
Your son Mike