James Carlin passed away peacefully at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle on January 17, 2021. James was born on November 1, 1950 in Duluth, Minnesota to parents Thomas and Beverly Carlin. The family later moved to Billings where James graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1969. James spent much of his early adulthood acquiring education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Biology from Purdue University in Indiana, graduating with honors in 1974. He earned a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology and a doctorate degree in Exercise Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin, graduating in 1984. He continued his studies as a post-doctoral fellow at Michigan State University. He also completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship at the world renown Karolinska Institute in Huddinge, Sweden in 1989. James moved back to Montana in 1990 where he earned yet another degree. He graduated from Montana Tech with a master’s degree in Industrial Hygiene in 1993. He was a career employee at the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, retiring in 2014. James liked the outdoors. He enjoyed boating and fishing and spending time with his friends over a beer. He loved his dog Joey. Surviving James are his brothers Dr. Thomas (Marilyn) Carlin, Clancy, and Patrick (Sylvia) Carlin, Mercedes, TX; niece Anna Alicia (Dan)Hollenback, Virginia Beach, VA, and nephew Dr. Nicholas (Ann) Carlin, San Francisco, CA; great niece Esperanza Hollenback, Virginia Beach, VA and great nephew Aiden Carlin, Torrington, WY. Preceding him in death are his parents Thomas and Beverly, nephew Christopher Carlin and great niece Deign Carlin.
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Annie says
Dear Uncle Jim,
Thank you for all the fun, loving, beautiful memories of Montana throughout the years. Thank you for teaching me to ice skate and to steer a boat; we will pass your teachings down to our little girl. We look forward to a crisp Tartanic Ale at Blackfoot River Brewing Co. in your honor.
-Forever, your Niece.
Alyssa T says
Dear Carlin family, I am so very sorry for your loss. I am a neighbor of Jim’s, for the last 16 years, and he would occasionally come by to say hello. The last time I saw him, Joey was brought over to play with the dogs for a few hours. Jim loved that dog, and the Joey before that too! He was a good neighbor, and will be missed.
Doug Dykstra says
Dear Carlin family,
We are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Doug & Dawn
Rebecca Ridenour says
Dear Carlin Family. I am sorry to hear about Jim’s passing. I worked with Jim at DEQ, but it was at the Blackfoot Brewery where I had real conversations with him. I particularly remember when he got his little beagle. We would often share stories, after that, about our dogs and experiences. You and Jim are in my thoughts and heart.
Ron Iverson says
Dr, Tom and family–Very sad to hear of the passing of your brother Jim. I only knew him as a client, but we had enjoyable conversations. He will be missed. I’m supposed to know what to say in times like this–but I never do. So, you and your family have my thoughts and prayers. Ron
David McKim says
My deepest condolences to the family. Jim and I became friends around 10 years ago when I moved to the neighborhood. He would stop by my house on his daily walks with his dog and we would talk about fishing mostly, but he always wanted to know how my high school students were doing. At one time he wanted to fund all the teachers in Helena getting protective shields after an unfortunate series of violent events at schools nationally. He often attended events when my country band played at local watering holes. I still look out my garage door and expect to see him walking up. I knew he was my friend because he told me so, which was rare for Jim. I will miss him tremendously.