The world has one less smile with the passing of James Pullen on June 23, 2018. He was born 12/2/1944 in San Francisco and raised in Southern California. He married his life partner, Mary, in 1966 and together they raised their two daughters, Pam and Dawn.
Jim served in the U.S. Naval Submarine Service during the Viet Nam era. Upon his return stateside, Jim became a master woodworker for 20 years in Portland, Oregon. The family moved to Helena, Montana in 1993 where Jim and Mary started the printing company TNO – The Neighborhood Office, together they ran it for 25 years.
Jim could brighten a room with his smile. Whether or not he just met you, he would make you feel you’ve been friends forever. Jim never knew a stranger and was always the first one to offer helping hand.
Jim is survived by his wife Mary of 53 years, daughters Pamela Schaber and Dawn (Chris) Purvis; his four grandchildren; Joshua, Crystal, Aundrea and Shelby, and six great-grandchildren, Aiden, Trinity, Jorden, Phoenix, Emberly and Dorian all of Helena. Also the families of his brother, Greg (Vicky) Pullen, sister, Kathie Pullen, and Mary’s six brothers and sisters.
Jim had a special place in his heart for children and was very involved with the children in the Helena community; as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader, a YMCA board member, a past Kiwanis Club President, and an annual participant in the Festival of Trees for Intermountain Children’s Home.
Because of his love and involvement of children, his family is requesting in lieu of flowers, please send a meaningful and lasting memorial gift to: Helena Kiwanis Foundation for Cherry Park, PO Box 4178, Helena, MT 59604 toward the new children’s park being constructed by the Kiwanis Club on Cherry Avenue in Helena, MT.
A celebration of Jim’s life with Military Honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 9th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue, with a reception following in the social hall of the funeral home. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Jim.
A special thank you to Dr. Weiner and staff at St. Peters Cancer Treatment Center, to Hospice of St. Peters, and to the family and friends that have supported us through this journey.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m.
Monday July 9, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Robert Rand RUSSELL ETC(SS) USNR, Ret. says
Jim and I made the first WESTPAC in USS Queenfish SSN-651. He and I shared the photography interest. Jim was also one of the boat’s divers. A good shipmate and friend of mine from 1967 and 1968. When I think of good honorable adventure I think of Jim Pullen.
Scott Frickel says
Mary and Family:
So very sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a true gentleman whose built-in smile and friendly manner always made him such a joy to be around. May many cherished memories of him help you through this difficult time. God bless.
Marita Martiniak says
Dear Mary and family,
I can only imagine the great loss you might be feeling at this time. Jim really did bring light into the room and the world. He made work fun and easy. I loved getting to know him during my time at TNO. Jim expressed love and acceptance so easily. I know he loved all of you deeply by the way he spoke about you all during our brief “catch-ups” at the Real Food store. He was a lovely man with a big soul and will be missed by so many. I have no doubt that his spirit is now bigger than ever. I’ll think of him often when I look into the blue sky, hear the wind in the trees or see children playing.
Melissa B. says
I”m so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He always made sure to stop in and say hello while he was getting his oil changed. It was a pleasure to have the little conversations with him regarding his family, his “man trips” on the boat, as well as his stories while he was in the service. He is healed now. May he rest in peace.
Shari & Tom Brownlee says
Jim brightened everyone’s day when he stopped downtown to say hi and visit with all the business owners when he and Mary owned TNO. He was genuinely concerned with how we were all doing, and he truly cared about helping us with printing and promotional needs. It was a pleasure working with him. We’ll all think of Jim and smile, because he always made us smile! Such a great guy, who raised an awesome family, and has left a beautiful legacy. With heartfelt sympathy,
Shari and Tom
Jenny bomar says
From the first time I met jim I felt right at ease. I feel very lucky to have worked for him and been friends with him. He was quite a guy. Jim and Mary have always been my cheerleaders through my adult life. So greatful. He will be greatly missed.
Charli Prowell says
Mary and Family
I really enjoyed getting to know Jim by way of his granddaughter Aundrea. He was so much fun to work next to up at camp. May your family know strength and healing, knowing that Jim is well and watching over you all. My heart to yours.
Sue Hart says
My heart goes out to Mary and family for their loss of Jim. He was a wonderful guy who had a great personality.
Gregg Pullen says
Jim, you were my precious brother for 70 years. You were the best brother anyone could ever have. You were my hero, my protector, my advisor, my role model, and my helper, all of my life. I shall miss you more than you could ever know and will keep you in my thoughts and heart during the remainder of my days. Thank you so much for sharing yourself, your beautiful wife and family, and Montana, with Vicky and I during these past 4 years when we visited you. They were the best of times and I shall never forget them.
I love you Big Brother.
Your little brother, Gregg
Michelle says
Mary and family, You and Jim were such genuine people to work with at TNO, I’ll never forget Jim’s big smile when he would stop at the bowl to see what I needed, always helpful and kind. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Michelle Anderson
Nancy Horn says
Jim shared my birthday for many years. He’d stop by the office and we’d chat about anything and wish each other a great birthday. I sure miss Jim. He always had a smile and a kind word and I loved that about him. Goodbye Jim.
Rick Elhart says
We became friends with Jim and Mary through Kiwanis. When he retired, he and Mary “adopted” our 6 ft tall 600 lb wooden bear Elmer and moved him to their home! Jim was a remarkable and positive person to whom we held in high regard! We missed him at Kiwanis when he retired but knew he had started a new chapter! God has another angel! Mary and family you are in our prayers! We are so sorry! Rick and Susan Elhart
Tina and Tony Tillo says
Mary and family, We are so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a very kind man and always enjoyed our visits with him while you owned TNO. Our prayers go out to your family..
Mary Brydich says
Mary and Family – I am so sorry for your loss. I have such wonderful Kiwanis memories of Jim especially the year he served as President. He did have that bubbly personality and infectious smile. I always enjoyed working with you folks at TNO. He will be missed.
Darby Garden (Revious) says
I’m so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Working at The Neighborhood Office was a great time in my life. I remember it and all of your family with great fondness. Mary, Dawn, Pam and family…you are in my thoughts and prayers
Jane Heath says
Dear Mary, Pam and Dawn,
Jim was such a kind and special man. He was so fortunate to have an equally wonderful wife and daughters. In deepest sympathy and with much love,
Jane Heath
Joanie Werner Mathis says
Dear Mary,
We are sorry that you have lost your precious husband, but I am glad the suffering is over for Jim and for you. It is a hard thing to watch your husband being so ill. Let others help you thru this transition of life. Friend and family will be your greatest resource. I am sorry that Wayne and I did not see you more often and that I did not get to know Jim better. Sounds like he was such a wonderful man. Many blessings to you Mary
Kathie Pullen says
Dear Jim, I will miss you so much. You were a wonderful big brother. You protected me and made me laugh and made the world a better place. You were always telling raunchy jokes, taking great pictures, and had that twinkle in your eyes and a silly grin on your face when you were up to something! You worked so hard all your life and loved your family so much. Montana was a perfect place for you these last years. You have so many people that you blessed who will miss you so much. We will all be together one day. Meanwhile, keep on dancing, smiling, loving until we get there.
Hugs and Love,
little sister, Kathie
Aaron Bartosik says
We loved getting to know Jim over the years and sharing our love of photography together. It was fun talking about camera gear, what lens to get next and sharing photos!
With love, our condolences from all of us at Helena Photographic Society (photo club).
Aaron Bartosik
Mickey Kunnary says
Mary and family –
I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. We spent many years working together and I always enjoyed our visits. God bless you all, and keep you in his comfort. The world is a little less shiny without Jim in it.
-Mickey Kunnary
Royal Rice says
Mary, I am so sorry to learn of Jim’s passing. He was a wonderful person and a soul to emulate. I remember when I first met him and you at TNO. I had a large project for the National Guard that needed to be done immediately. I was at the end of my rope, but Jim said “Don’t worry, we have a Firey 500 printer that will get this task done.” Needless to say, the project got done and Montana won an award for it. That was the beginning of a great friendship for me. Lots of Scout camp outs and raft trips. Unfortunately, my Army career took me away from Montana and we did not stay in touch. For that I am sincerely sorry. My life would have been much richer if we had continued to communicate. He was a bright beacon for me and the world will miss his endless smile. Please accept my sincere condolences for his passing.