James Howard Wilkins, a Helena native, decided on May 30th it was time to head back to the clubhouse and join his wife, Ruth, for toddy hour, dinner, and a little dancing. Jim was just a few months shy of his 90th birthday (August 3, 1933) and for almost 90 years, his life was filled with family, friends, faith, community connections and entrepreneurial endeavors. Born to Howard F. Wilkins and Lillian K. Weiser, Jim followed his fraternal twin brother, Tom, into the world, and they ruled the roost at 516 Harrison until their little brother, Howard III, joined them. Jim attended Cathedral High School and graduated from Gonzaga Prep in 1951. After his time at Gonzaga and a short stint at MSU, Jim enlisted in the Army in 1953 and served until 1955. He was stationed in Europe, and there he developed a love of seeing the world that he fully embraced and passed along to his children.
We have to thank his cousin, Jack Weiser, for being an unintentional matchmaker when Jim made the “Weiser choice” and went on a date with Jack’s former flame, Ruth Mary Sauber, at RB’s Drive-In here in Helena. On September 1, 1956, they married at the Cathedral of St. Helena and in 1957 they swapped the mountains of Montana for the plains of Illinois. They moved to the south side of Chicago where Jim attended the Illinois College of Optometry and Ruth performed secretarial work to help support their young family. Their son, Stephen James, was born in Chicago in 1959. After receiving his Doctor of Optometry degree in 1960, Jim and Ruth packed up and returned to Montana to begin his optometric career in Sidney. Three more children, Kathy (’61), Scott (’63) and Craig (’65) would be born during their time in Eastern Montana.
The Wilkins family moved from Sidney back to Helena in 1968 to start his private practice and in 1971, Jim joined forces with Mike Coffey and Tom Rasmussen to establish the Helena Optometric Group. Jim and his colleagues’ innovative approach to the development and management of HOG (as it was affectionately called) paved the way for Montana’s very first group optometric practice. Their business model developed into what is now known as Montana Eyecare – one of the state’s most successful optometry practices.
In 1972, their last child, Susan, was born, and when Jim wasn’t busy with his family of five and his burgeoning optometry practice, he was coaching baseball, helping with homework, slinging beers with the Kiwanis, skiing the slopes of Belmont or hitting the links. In the 80’s, Jim was president of Green Meadow Country Club for a period of time and GMCC was a regular destination on Wednesday afternoons where he enjoyed men’s league play. Jim had a very strong work ethic but always made sure there was time for family and fun. Road trips to see his parents in Walnut Creek, CA, Ruth’s family in Livingston and Billings were always an adventure. The famous (infamous?) camping trips to Holland Lake and Canyon Ferry boating on the Son of a Beach (his handmade pontoon boat-RIP) in the summers were particularly memorable. Both Jim and Ruth enjoyed entertaining friends. He was always the consummate host and mixologist for bridge nights, cribbage parties and pre-functioning before dinners out and dancing. Night Owl anyone?
Upon his retirement from Montana Eyecare in 1997, Jim continued to enjoy golfing, annual Wilkins family reunions and visiting their kids and grandkids near and far. Trips to the Hawaiian Islands, many cruises and traveling in their RV with friends and family gave him great joy. His love for furry friends Coco, KC and eventually Loco, cemented dad’s title as the “Dogfather”. Jim didn’t ever fully retire and maintained his business acumen taking on management of the Columbus Center in Great Falls along with business partners, Al Kautz and Jerry Nichols. He always kept busy “Jimmy rigging” projects around the rental property that he and Ruth purchased in 1993. This was to be their retirement project, but unfortunately Ruth’s story came to an abrupt end in 2006 after a two-year battle with cancer. Their son Scott left us all too soon in 2008. Jim stayed active walking his dogs, maintaining a busy social and spiritual calendar and keeping close family connections, particularly with his brother Tom’s children, Mary Elizabeth, Kathleen, and John, who were like kids to him. Cribbage games with his dear friend Bernie Grovom over drinks kept his brain and wit sharp, but his memory started slipping in recent years. Despite this decline, Dad was always good spirited and put the needs of others before those of his own. He truly was a generous spirit who gave freely of his time, tutelage, love, laughter, and, of course, a well-poured drink! Cheers to an extraordinary man who will be missed greatly.
Old soldiers never die but their spirit lives on…
Those who have gone before Jim include his parents, Howard and Lillian, brothers Tom and Howard, wife Ruth, son Scott, his furry children Coco, KC and Loco and many other family members, friends and colleagues. To all the family and friends who remain, we hope you all will raise a glass of bourbon to celebrate Jim’s remarkable life. As Jim would say, “That was a helluva meal.” Our family wants to thank Jim’s best (and only) son-in-law, Joe Mathews (Kathy) and daughters-in-law Tina (Steve), Tammy (Craig) and Trina (Susan) and Jim’s grandkids and nieces and nephews for your love and support of Pops. You all hold a special place in our hearts and Dad truly loved and was grateful for each and every one of you. And an extra big thank you to the staff of Renaissance (Misty, Dustin, Krista, Miranda, Jared, Alyssa) for your compassionate care and making dad part of your family. You will always be a part of ours.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Diocese of Helena, Lewis & Clark Humane Society, Smile Train or a favorite charity of your choosing.
A Funeral Mass is set for 12:00 p.m., Thursday, June 8, 2023 at the Cathedral of St. Helena with a reception to follow the Mass in the Brondel Center of the Cathedral. Burial with Military Honors will follow at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Harrison.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Thursday June 8, 2023
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the service
Thursday June 8, 2023
Brondel Center of the Cathedral
530 N Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Thursday June 8, 2023
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
3550 Heroes Rd.
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Thursday June 8, 2023
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the service
Thursday June 8, 2023
Brondel Center of the Cathedral
530 N Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Thursday June 8, 2023
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
3550 Heroes Rd.
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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Melissa and Jeff Sherlock says
Sorry to hear this. Dr. Wilkins was my eye doctor for many years and I always enjoyed appointments with him.After he retired, I would see him around town and he was always a congenial guy. As I write this I can hear him saying, ” Which is clearer, number 1 or number 2?? Peace to his family
Gail Briese Zimmer says
Kathy and Joe
Thinking of you during this time of loss in your life. May all the wonderful memories you have help you through this time.
Mike glueckert says
Rest in peace Jim! You were a awful kind and great person too myself and family! Sincere condolences too all close family and friends! So sorry!
Julie (Stinchfield) DeMars & Jim DeMars says
We are so sorry to hear of “Wilkie’s” passing, but are sure that he is already at the 19th hole with old Bill and all of the others who were waiting for him! He was genuinely one of the best men, and he will be missed by so many here on earth. Sending lots of love to the Wilkins family.
Sue Weingartner says
What a great and memorable guy. Jim was the best of the best. A well lived life.
Tiffany Sturdevant says
Dr. Wilkins hired my dad, Bob Sturdevant, in the late 70’s and I will always cherish their friendship. Cribbage and bourbon were a topping but the meat of the friendship was much more. I will miss him very much and am so blessed he was a part of my life!
Mike and Debbie Leslie says
Our condolences go out to all the Wilkins family.
what a wonderful legacy of family Jim and Ruth have left
behind…..and what an amazing life! We can only imagine the golf courses he has yet to play in heaven with a wee shot of bourbon at the end of his round. Rest in peace, Jim. You have given great memories to so many.
Mike Kelly says
I to had Jim as my eye doctor along with my kids Erynn and Evan. I can say this Jim and Ruth raised a very awesome family. And it has been a honor to know them all these years. Jim will be truly missed and the memories will never go away.
Dan and Carolyn Rogers says
To all Jim’s family,
Jim was our wonderful neighbor for a couple of years out at Fox Ridge! Always welcoming and loved having people around. We came home from town one day and found that someone had clipped Loco up to our dog lead on the patio, thinking he was our dog, Bella! We walked him home to Jim’s to a full house of company that had been looking for “lost” Loco all day. Jim had cooked Jambalaya for everyone and boy, was Jim happy to see his Loco safe and home. We were welcomed in to wine and dine. The next day Jim left a thank you card and a bottle of wine on our doorstep.
We enjoyed many get togethers after that.
It was a sad morning for us the morning Jim moved. I walked out on the patio, looked towards his house and saw his suitcase ready to go on the table. We have fond memories of him. Our prayers and condolences to you!
Dan and Carolyn Rogers
Kevin Bartsch says
Wilkins family: Well, very sorry to hear of another one of the gang of parents my folks were so close with growing up has “graduated.” Jim and Ruth were such dear friends as well as our eye doctor all the way back to the days down by Buttrey’s. I know there were many fantastic memories of holiday parties, Bengal Booster events and even a VW deal when Scott was going to build a kit car as I recall. What a treasure Jim was to the community as a whole. He was a special friend to our Mom after my Dad died and I know she enjoyed chatting and keeping connected. It was a pleasure to see him more recently when he was residing at Touchmark. I had a nice chat at the lunch table. I’ll take that memory with me! He was another one of the good ones. Peace and comfort to the entire WIlkins family.
Tom Rasmussen says
This is to offer my condolences to the family. Your dad was a very important part of my life, we being partners for 25 years in Helena Optometric Group which later then became Montana EyeCare. Jim was an incredible partner, being a great visionary along with having great business sense and such a hard worker. I have continually been very thankful to have been able to have spent most of my working years along side Jim and then Mike Coffey and Bill Simons. We all had a great relationship and your mother was an important part of that, what a great lady she was. Then I remember watching the Wilkins boys play basketball and always rooting for the Bengals EXCEPT when
they played the Bruins. So I pray blessings on you, the family, as you now move forward with the great memories of your father.
Wayne and Judy ordahl says
Wayne and I were fortunate enough to have Jim as a neighbor when we were living out at Fox Ridge he was a wonderful friend and neighbor who loved to visit and share great food and a cocktail . We stopped for one of our last visits with him and lost contact after he moved but so glad we had a chance to know him and know you will always have wonderful memories. Our prayers and condolences ..Wayne and Judy Ordahl
Shari Gray says
The times with the Wilkins family brought me much happiness through the years.
Jim, Ruth, Norm and I had such great times golfing, boating, trips etc.
Losing Norm, Ruth and now Jim leaves a big hole in my heart. Jim was
Kind, considerate and thoughtful of all who knew him.
A GREAT FRIEND.
Ron Iverson says
To all the Wilkins family: Well, kids, we’ve lost a great one. A great man, father and friend. Jim was always a friend and it was indeed a pleasure to office next to him and Tom and Mike for so many years. They were always agreeable to anything I or Bruce wanted to do regarding the building and our insurance agency. And…of course…I was able to watch so many Wilkins’ playing sports. Craig and my son Brett were pals, and it was a great relationship for living so close to each other. Your Mother, Ruth, was always as jovial as your Dad Jim. So, now we grieve for the loss of Jim. I am sorry to hear of his death, but God knows what Jim meant to the entire community. Jim will rest in peace, knowing he raised such a great family. Ron
Darien G Scott says
My thoughts and prayers to the family. Roger and I enjoyed visiting with Jim on his walks around Fox Ridge neighborhood. He and Roger would share their stories about their surgeries. We had also been neighbors with him, when he lived on Winnie and we lived on Jerome Pl. First met him when I worked for Anderson Ellerding Travel and they rented part of Montana Eyecare for their offices.
Mike Frantz says
Sending thoughts and prayers today! A life well lived for sure.
John White M White says
Dr. Wilkins was a great man and growing up with Steve in school, basketball and just a good friend I spent alot of time at their house, playing, eating dinner and just enjoying the whole family. I was in town a few years back for a family get together and I had an eye emergency and Jim opened up the practice on a Sunday morning to take care of my eye. I could take about both Jim and Ruth for hours as they helped me to grow up and always made My Mom Mary Ellen a part of all the things going on with us in High School. The whole family was special and I will miss Jim and his good nature and loving way he was. I never had a dad but Jim made me feel like that I did. Love all the Wilkins. John white
JoAnn Swenson says
To the Wilkins family: I just learned of your fathers death. I am so sorry to learn this. My husband and I had many good times with your parents when we all lived in Sidney. I will never forget your Dad’s laugh! Love to all the Wilkins family.