James M. Madison “Jim”, of Jefferson City, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 83.
Jim was born into Arthur W. and Edith (Williams) Madison on January 10, 1933. From his early childhood throughout his adult life, Jim was a hard worker with the need to always have something to do. Jim attended a one room school house in Jefferson City from the 1st grade through 8th grade. Jim graduated from Jefferson High School in Boulder in 1951. Jim then went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Business and Finance from the University of Montana in Missoula.
In 1955 Jim started his career with the state of Montana, Board of Equalization. When Jim retired in 1990 he was the administrator of the Miscellaneous Tax Division with the Department of Revenue. After retirement, Jim could not sit still, so he went on to work for the Deferred Compensation Division from 1991 to 2000. 1992 was the year Jim threw his hat into the political arena. He ran as a Democrat for the House of Representatives for HD 75 in a strong Republican district, and Won!! Unfortunately, Jim lost the next election by 50 votes.
That didn’t slow down Jim as he was a leader in the community and a lifelong member of many organizations such as the Democratic Party, the Montana Club with its rich history. Jim belonged to the Elks where he was elected twice as their “Exalted Leader”. Jim was a chaplain with the Mason Lodge along with being “layman” for the church. As well as a retired Colonel with the Army Reserve. Jim also was involved with the Retired Army Officers Association and attended many conferences across the U.S. every year. He thrived in helping plan events with his church family. Always the civic minded man and willing to lend support to many community causes.
Jim enjoyed his retirement and looked forward to do some traveling and a few bucket list places got checked off Jim’s list. He went on a cruise to the Panama Canal with was a bucket list place and enjoyed it very much. Jim was a huge fan of the performing arts. He loved dinner out followed by a good opera or play. Even if that meant going to Spokane or Salt Lake City. Jim was a member of “Live at the Civic” in both Helena and Butte. He also looked forward to the monthly dinners and entertainment as he was a member of the “Metropolitan Dinner Club”. Jim also looked forward to the regular visits with his lifelong friends, Vern Miller and Harvey Steen.
Jim is survived by his nephew, William “Lee” Madison and Lisa of Jefferson City as well as Lee’s children, Chelsea (Anthony) Andrews and children, Cassie (Mike) James and children, Zion (Christi Wheatly) and Zane (Lucinda Runkle) and children, and many other nieces and nephews, great grand nieces and nephews. His presence will be missed by his family and many friends and loved ones.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 2nd at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A funeral service celebrating Jim’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 3rd at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. A reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home. Burial will follow the reception in Jefferson City. Donations in Jim’s memory can be made to the Jefferson City Community Center (the one room school house), PO Box 1, Jefferson City, MT 59638 or to the charity of your choice. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Jim.
Service Schedule
Viewing
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday December 2, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday December 3, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Saturday December 3, 2016
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Viewing
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday December 2, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday December 3, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Saturday December 3, 2016
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Diane Gunderson says
Lee, sorry to hear about Uncle Jim’s passing. Thoughts and prayers to you all. Diane
Patrice says
I am so sorry for your great loss. May the God who “binds up the brokenhearted” and “comforts all who mourn” sustain your family during this challenging time. (Isaiah 61:1, 2 NWT)
With heartfelt sympathy,
Patrice
George Lane, Sec. #41 says
Lee and family,
All of the Brothers of Boulder-Basin Masonic Lodge #41 send their deepest sympathies at the passing of our Chaplain. Brother Jim was a good Mason and his presence in Lodge will be missed.
Sherri Staats says
It was with sadness and a tear in my eye that I read of this sweet gentlemen’s passing. I truly enjoyed him coming to my office the Board of Dentistry meetings. He always had a kind word for me and a smile (even when he was feeling bad he never complained) I was amazed when I read how much for the state. There will be a void at our next Dentistry meeting. Rest in Peace Mr. Madison. You will be missed. Lee and Family. You were a blessing to Mr. Madison, thank you. I am sorry for your loss.
Shirley Cole says
Lee and family, My deepest sympathy to you for the loss of Uncle Jim. He was quite a fellow, smart, knowledgeable on most any subject. A Christian man that truly loved God. God bless you and yours and may He grant you peace.
Diane Richter Pedersen says
To the Madison family.
My condolences go out to your family. Jim was a good friend of my parents Dick and Helen Richter. May god bless you at this difficult time.
Bob Mowa says
Lee and family, My condolences to you for the loss of Jim.
I knew Jim from being a member of our AARP chapter. Jim was a past president and very active in the group. O will also miss jim at the Met club dinners and his invocations.
Bob moes says
My above condolences should be from Bob Moes not Mowa
Patty Dean says
I so enjoyed the visits “Mr. Madison” (as we Montana Club members & staff called him) made to the Club. He was such a committed oenophile & it was always a delight to hear his thoughtfully expressed perspectives on this topic. Mr. Madison was a true gentleman.
Sally Nyland says
Lee and family, My condolences to all the family and know you are in my thoughts. Jim was my first supervisor when I went to work for the Department of Revenue. That was back in 1969 (just a few years ago). Jim was one of those people that you could talk about anything and he would truly listen. Jim was a true gentlemen.
Susan Chamberlin says
Our dear Mom, Marge’s cousin, Jim, scared us to death with ghost stories in the trailer he lived in behind his Mom & Dads house in Jeff City, with flashlight under his chin!, when he was a teen & we were little! He dressed as Santa w/cowbells ringing….& brought gifts for all the kids gathered at “Aunt Eda’s” house for Christmas many years.
He brought Mom a bottle & shared a drink with she & their only other surviving cousin, Fred Bell, in Jeff. City, about 2012……last time those 3 cousins were together. I have pics I treasure. My last view of him was when he & Mom visited through a fence between their properties in Jeff.City, touching hands, & Jim vowing to get to WA to visit Mom, his cousin, Marge, in 2013. She passed Oct 26, 2014….. I’m sorry to know our 2d cousin Jim is gone… He was a loving, gentle soul…Please give our only remaining 2nd cousin, Fred Bell, your condolences, too. RIP, dear 2d cousin, Jim. Our love to all our relatives, Susan Chamberlin & Siblings , Dick, Chuck & Linda..
Susan Chamberlin says
Site is telling me to type comments . I just did!
Jean Schmitz says
Sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I was out of state or I would have attended his funeral. My condolences to the family.
Ann Marie Gilliam Chaffin says
“Uncle Jim” has been a great friend to me since I was very young. He was truly a wonderful person with a kind heart.