James Richard “Jim” Almond passed away in the early morning hours of Good Friday, April 10, 2020, at his home in Helena after a long illness. He was born in Miles City on October 4, 1942, to Rebecca (Grierson) and Carl C. Almond.
Jim attended school in Hysham and graduated in 1960. After three years at Montana State University, he transferred to his beloved Rocky Mountain College and graduated in 1966. In the meantime, he and his high school sweetheart, Sandra “Sandy” Feeley, married in 1965.
Jim got his first banking job in Billings before moving to Minneapolis, Minn., where he began a long career with First Bank. Jim and Sandy saw the births of four children and moves to Fargo, N.D., Miller, S.D., and eventually back to Montana by way of Great Falls. While in Fargo, he received his Master’s in Agricultural Economics from NDSU, and later in Miller he earned his private pilot’s license.
In 1980, Jim was happy to get back to Eastern Montana when he accepted a position in Billings. And while he thoroughly enjoyed his years in the “banking game,” as he called it, his heart remained at the family ranch near Hysham. In 1990 he retired from banking and returned to manage J.B. Grierson Company with his cousin Bob “J.R.” Grierson. Following the sale of the ranch in 2003, he and Sandy’s retirement days included lots of travel and quality time with grandchildren.
Jim’s great joys were his kids and grandkids. He loved attending their many activities, especially sports and music events. Aside from family, Jim’s main hobby was going to meetings. He was active in the Billings Catholic Schools, Rocky Mountain College, the Montana Stockgrowers, and the Montana Beef Council, among many others.
Jim is survived by Sandy, his wife of nearly 55 years; children James (Renee) of Portland, Ore., Carl (Holly) of Corvallis, Ore., Beth (Cornel) Emter of Clancy, and Kate (Chad) Sigafoos of Montana City; and grandchildren Tyler and Payton; Victoria, Lily and Finley Almond; Rebecca and Michael Emter; and Amelia and Luke Sigafoos. He also leaves behind a cherished extended family of Griersons, Almonds and Feeleys, as well as many, many lifelong friends.
A special thank you to Dr. Jessica Bailey and all of the amazing caretakers associated with St. Pete’s, and the special church family at SS. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church. Services will take place at a later date.
Service Schedule
Rosary
11:40 a.m.
Monday July 27, 2020
S S Cyril & Methodius Catholic
120 W. Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Monday July 27, 2020
S S Cyril & Methodius Catholic
120 W. Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
Service Schedule
Rosary
11:40 a.m.
Monday July 27, 2020
S S Cyril & Methodius Catholic
120 W. Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Monday July 27, 2020
S S Cyril & Methodius Catholic
120 W. Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
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Suzi says
To the Almond Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love Corey and Suzi Emter.
Roy Brown says
Jim was a wonderful man. He will be deeply missed. Our prayers go out to Sandy and the entire Almond family. Roy and Kim Brown
Gary & Vicki Gilman says
Sandy and family,
We are saddened to read this news. We have such fond memories of the days across the street from you when the kids were growing up and beyond, attending a wedding or two and seeing you both randomly from time to time. We have you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Vicki and Gary Gilman.
Rick & Karen Mouat says
Sandy and family, You are all in our thoughts and prayers. God bless and surround you with his comfort and love during this time.
Rick & Karen Mouat
Jen Thompson says
Kate and Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. It was a privilege to have known such a class act. We celebrate fond memories, laughter, and of course a toast. Cheers to you Jim. You will be missed. Take care, Jen and Ed Thompson
Bill Dreikosen says
Sandy and family, our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in this difficult time. Jim touched my family’s hearts in so many ways. He has been a major supporter of our men’s basketball program for as long as I can remember. I will miss my yearly visits with you guys at games. You guys have been terrific faithful supporters of Rocky Mtn College and this place is better for all your family has given to it. My dad Gary always looked forward to the fishing trips with Jim too. They had so many good times in Canada and on Fort Peck.
May your heart find peace that can only come from our Lord Jesus Christ in the days ahead.
Thoughts and Prayers
Bill Dreikosen and family
Faith Shiffer says
Dear Sandy,
Our deepest condolences are with you and your whole family. I’ve always felt like our families grew up together, and Mom would often comment that your Christmas letter was often the first to begin that season of celebration! I will always remember our shared family days in Miller together!
Prayers and peace to you all during this most difficult time,
Faith (Dahl) & Steve Shiffer
Bill Gibson says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Sandy and your family. We have been friends for many years. As a brother in Kappa Sigma at MSU in the early 60’s my friendship with Jim was a lifetime commitment. We truly have been brothers in heart through life. I will miss our breakfast’s at the Dude Ranger and Jim’s perspective on education, agriculture, democracy and faith. His life was a legacy and his memory a benediction.
John and Sandy Leichner says
To Sandy and Family. I was so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. My sincere thoughts and prayers are with you and family.Jom was a great guy and I enjoyed knowing him.He will be missed by everyone who knew him
Don & Marianne Hanson says
Sandy & Family. Sorry to hear about Jim. We have very fond memories of him. Also enjoyed visiting with him. He was always very practical and positive. Also a lot of stories regarding Miles City, Forsyth, and Rocky Mt College and mutual friends. He left very big shoes to fill. We will miss him. Take care, Don and Marianne Hanson PS Appreciated your very nice note when we retired from our Practice
Ron Sovey says
Sandy,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. I was so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I enjoyed spending time with Jim at RMC Board Meetings and was at graduation when Jim was honored with his Doctorate. He will be truly missed.
Ron Sovey
Naples, FL
Virginia Smith says
Sandy, Beth, and Kate,
I was so sorry to read about Jim in today’s Gazette. Having just talked to Sharon Harris, I understand all of you were present for the final sacrament. What a blessing. My prayers are with you.
Lana & Gerry Bittner says
Sandy & Family:
So many great memories of Jim and the Almond Family!
Jim opened the Wells Fargo Ag Credit and worked with him for several years.
A people person with a great sense of humor and showed me much kindness.
Thoughts and prayers are with Sandy and family,
Doug Benge says
I am very sorry to read Jim’s of passing. He, and all of the Almond and Grierson families were long time and loyal clients of our accounting firm in Miles City. A great family for sure. I think I can speak for Bob Mountain (deceased) , Karl Rogge (deceased) and of course myself (retired) that you were considered among the finest business men and women and of the highest character. I am richer for knowing all of you. Best wishes to all family.
Matt Duray says
Sandy and family:
Jim was a great man with a kind ♡. He always had time to lend a hand or a nice word. He will be sorely missed and I hope you can find peace in his passing
Matt Duray
Dee Holley says
Dear Sandy and children,
You were wonderful neighbors…we could see your house from our back yard. Remember the hot-tub. Our most fun memory was when Jim decided to kill all the tree suckers in your front yard and successfully killed your beautiful shade tree as well. Those were the days. Jim was a wonderful man….gentle, smart, kind. Our hearts are with you as you learn to navigate life without him.
Dee and Paul Holley
Arlyss Nelson says
Dear Sandy and Family,
I have so many wonderful memories of times Jerry and I spent with you and Jim. Jim and Jerry were the best of friends from banking days on to such fun trips we took after they both retired. They could be so funny and delightful to be with – and could also be serious when needed. I’ll always remember the good times we had, and Sandy, I hope we can continue to be good friends evens without our best buddies.
May God Bless you – Arlyss
Verne and Karen Petermann says
We will always share the memories of our Billings Catholic School family, and our daughters’ friendship.
Sharon Soapes says
Dear Sandy and family
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. My heart is heavy with sadness to hear of the loss of my dear cousin. I have so many memories of us growing up so many years ago. I think my greatest memory is the family get together at the Hysham home and Jim took us all to see the Almond homestead back in the hills..Jim was a very special man and will forever be in my heart.. Sending love to you and your family.
Sharon and Richard Soapes and family
Tom Scott says
Sandy, Kate, Beth, Carl, and James:
Sadness cannot begin to describe what our family feels right now. So many memories! Lisa, playing with “the Almond kids”, travelling together, visits back and forth to Billings, Regina, Hysham, Great Falls, Calgary, the west-coast junket, sometimes with Becka and Carl – good times all!…..now seemingly, somehow, bitter-sweet – knowing that we’ll not do it again, but so glad that we did do it. Jim was so much more than a fraternity brother, but because of him, I knew which brotherhood I wanted to be part of. I will miss you greatly my brother. We will see see each other again in the House of Our Lord.
Tom
AEKDB
Dick Raths says
To Jim’s family
My family and I always looked forward to seeing Jim at the Montana Stockgrowers functions.
He gave selflessly of his many talents and time and was a real asset to the industry he loved.
Jim could always provide calm and great thinking on any difficult issue. We will miss our time with him but will always remember him.
Dick and a Nancy Raths
Lorraine Walter says
Dear Sandi & Family:
I am so sorry for your loss at the difficult time when others can not be as close to you as they would like to be. Please know that you are in our hearts, thoughts & prayers.
I have such good memories of our childhood years in Hysham playing with Jim and all the neighbor kids and the freedom to be kids. Memories of Jim and all the neighbor kids are kept in my cherished “box”. Love to all of your family.
Love, Lorraine Schumm Walter
George Skerritt says
Jim will be greatly missed. Jim liked to have fun and to live life to the fullest.
He was a very generous man and a gracious host. I have many good memories
of Jim and family.
love to all, George
Gordon Gibb says
I have fond childhood memories of walking home from school and seeing Jim and Sandy in his old car that seemed to buck and snort its way down the street. Jim’s parents were always so kind to our family and to me; sweet memories indeed. It’s sad to see hometown folks pass on and I extend my sincere condolences to the Almond and Feeley families. Bless you Sandy, children, and grandchildren.
Russ Hall says
Remembering Jim as a classmate at RMC. I do remember Jim as a very conscientious student and easy to be around. All the above tributes that speak oh-so-highly of his life make me smile. Sadness is left behind in that after school, paths wander and so many of us haven’t shared life’s experiences together. RIP to a fine man I feel privileged to have known briefly. Prayers to his many friends and family.
Pat, Mary Kay, and Karen Byorth says
Dear Sandy, James, Carl, Beth, Kate, and family,
Our sincere condolences to you all. Jim will be missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Arne & Vikki Mysse says
Jimmy Dick always seemed to be thoroughly enthusiastic and positive about life. He had numerous challenges to deal with but he always moved forward. I moved to Hysham in the second grade(1950) and Jim was in the 3rd grade. He was always friendly and enjoyed sports and all school activities through college. We had numerous enjoyable and/or humorous events we participated in – like basketball at my home cement court, putting up street signs in Hysham with the Science Club and then apple pie at Becca’s, football at Broadus in 1959 when white chalk got into Jim’s pants for a red and painful rear end due to a successful tackle. Jim was always ready to get school dances started and broke the ice for many of us who were bashful. In college I stayed at Jim’s AGR fraternity house in Bozeman and he stayed at my SAE fraternity house in Missoula. I stayed overnight with Jim and Sandy in Minneapolis in 1966? Then we all rode together in a motor home to Griz/Cat football games in the 70’s & 80’s. Sandy and family we are sorry for your loss and offer our sympathy. If you ever have time call me at 656-2931 and I can expand on the above events with a lot of detail and maybe you have some info to add that I forgot about. Vikki and I consider ourselves blessed to have been your friends.
Phillip and Colleen Johnson says
We shared Banking, Ranching, Flying and very much in the employment of First Bank System. Our
Families helped settle Eastern and Southeastern Montana with livestock and grains. Our times together go back 50 years.
We shared the care of customers in Community Banking. We shared the absolute love of FLYING.
We shared the love of family , God, Jesus, Church and Community Service.
Jim, you have your eternal wings with God and are away from the pain of the last few years. You were strong
against the health elements. Rest in Peace and watch over us.
To Sandy and family, may God’s peace and blessings be with you in the days and years ahead.
NICK CLADIS says
Jim was one of the nicest men I have ever known. Through ever adversity he was strong and positive. I admired that gift he gave to the rest of us! Will miss him and his smile–no matter what!
Nick
Joe Brown says
I met Mr. Almond when I had the pleasure of befriending his son, James, at Billings Central Catholic High School in 1981. Since then, I have always referred to Jim as “Mr. Almond”; because even though he was like a second father to me, I still liked to give him and Sandy the respect they so much deserved. I could not have asked for a better family to be associated with then and now.
Mr. Almond was a generous man full of life with a down-to-earth character that touched everyone. I recall the times I worked with sons James and Carl at the Grierson Ranch a couple of summers in high school and how much he loved his work. He, James, and Sandy were at my wedding and were there for me when my grandmother Brown died.
All of my sympathies go out to Mr. Almond’s family. I love you all and I know that Jim is with our Heavenly Father.