James Frederick DeWolf, age 64, a retired attorney died suddenly while in Kissimmee, FL on Saturday, February 20, 2016.
Jim was born May 20, 1951 in Helena, MT to Fred Aurthur DeWolf Jr. and Shirley Lou (Kelsey) DeWolf. Jim grew up in Helena, graduating from Helena High School. After graduation Jim moved to Bozeman, MT to attend Montana State University. While working in the college cafeteria in school he met his wife, Marlene Littleton DeWolf. They married in June 1972.
Jim earned his Bachelors in Business Marketing. After graduation Jim worked as a reporter for the Bozeman Chronicle and later the Billings Gazette in the Bozeman Bureau. From there, Jim transferred to the Lee Newspaper State Bureau in Helena where he covered state politics. He then decided to go to law school; attending Gonzaga Law School in Spokane, WA. He graduated Cum Laude and ran a successful law practice in Spokane until he retired in 2002. While in law school; he welcomed two children, a son Scott DeWolf and a daughter, Jordan DeWolf Benham.
Jim developed a lifelong love of gardening which began while working for his grandparents, Bug and Kelsey in their greenhouse on 6th Avenue. His job there was to shift the dirt to get it ready for planting. Jim loved to be outside and go hiking and backpacking with his family. Jim also worked for his Dad and Uncles Bill and George DeWolf as a deliver driver for the family business, the Union Market. He always claimed that he was one of the only drivers that didn’t crash the delivery truck.
Together with his family, Jim enjoyed annual camping trips to Glacier National Park and the Grand Tetons, as well as a lifetime love of all things Disney. His first trip to Disneyland was the year after they opened in 1955. That trip was followed by 100’s more through the years. Jim loved to travel and just realized a lifelong dream going to Paris and London with his wife and children in January. He was an avid reader. Jim also loved photography and documenting all the natural beauty he encountered in the wild. He would always get the most amazing pictures. He will be dearly missed.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Frederick Arthur DeWolf Jr. and Shirley Lou (Kelsey) DeWolf; his brother, Kenneth Ray DeWolf. He is survived by his wife, Marlene DeWolf of Helena, MT; daughter, Jordan Benham and her husband, Andrew Benham of New Orleans, LA; son, Scott DeWolf of Orlando, FL. He is also survived by his Uncle Bill DeWolf of Helena, aunts Joan Kain of Billings and Jeanette DeWolf of Helena and many cousins.
A graveside service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday May 20, 2016 at Sunset Memorial Garden Cemetery, 7100 N. Montana Ave., Helena. There will be a celebration of Jim’s life from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Bert and Ernie’s Restaurant, 361 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Jim.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
2:00 p.m.
Friday May 20, 2016
Sunset Memorial Garden Cemetery
7100 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Celebration of His Life
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday May 20, 2016
Bert and Ernie's Restaurant
361 N Last Chance Gulch
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
2:00 p.m.
Friday May 20, 2016
Sunset Memorial Garden Cemetery
7100 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Celebration of His Life
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday May 20, 2016
Bert and Ernie's Restaurant
361 N Last Chance Gulch
Helena, Montana 59601
Share
Gary Temple says
Marlene, I was so sorry to hear of Jim at a much later date. We kind of all went our different ways after college. I left a message on your phone and hope to hear from you.
Daryl Smail says
Finally got around to looking for some friends from the 60’s.
Remember watching the Apollo 11 moon landing with Jim at the lake cabin. Went different ways after high school but did get together once 2nd Christmas after graduation (1970). Glad to see he became a lawyer it was always something he talked about.