Col. James “Jim” Patrick Dwyer (ret.) on the morning of Sunday December 15, 2013, Jim passed away peacefully after a long battle with ALS in Lake Park, Minnesota. His wife Noreen was with him when he passed. He was 67 years old.
Jim Dwyer was born in Wolf Point, Montana on September 8, 1946. He was the second child and first son of Maxine Helen and James T Dwyer. Jim attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Elementary School in Wolf Point. He graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1964. Jim is a graduate of Carroll College in Helena, Montana. Jim lived most of his adult life in Montana; primarily in Helena, but also for a while in Missoula, Kalispell and Havre, Montana.
Jim loved sports and was an active athlete in many sports in high school. As an adult he had a long career as a high school and college basketball referee in Montana, a career his son, Tom, has followed him into. Jim worked for many years at Jorgenson’s Inn in Helena. Jim was full time in the National Guard for 20+ years and retired in February 2000 as a Colonel. Jim worked at Mergenthaler Transfer and Storage in Helena as well.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Maxine Helen Dwyer, James T Dwyer and his brother Thomas Max Dwyer. Jim is survived by his wife Noreen Bartlett of Lake Park, Minnesota, his ex-wife Connie Myhre and spouse Terry Myhre of Helena; his four children and five grandchildren; son Tom Dwyer and spouse Kim Dwyer their children Michael, Jaelyn, Nora and Quincy; Erin Root and spouse Josh Root, their child Emma Root; daughter Katie Dwyer and stepson Brad O’Neil. Jim is also survived by four siblings; his sisters, Ellen Jane Mayher and spouse Dave Mayher of Renton, Washington; Mary Ann Callahan and spouse Donald Callahan of Las Vegas, Nevada; Jeanne Grace Van Cleave and spouse Jess Van Cleave of Las Vegas, Nevada; brother Norm Dwyer and spouse Lisa Dwyer of Helena, Montana. Jim is also survived by numerous nieces, great-nieces, nephews and great-nephews.
Visitation will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the family will receive friends beginning at 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, December 22, 2013 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A memorial service celebrating Jim’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 23, 2013 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison immediately following the memorial service. A reception will be held in the social hall at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home following the Burial. Memorials in Jim’s name are suggested to DAV, 1900 Williams Street, Helena, MT 59602.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday December 22, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
Family and Friends Service
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday December 22, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday December 23, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
Burial
Following the memorial service
Monday December 23, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 59634
Reception
Following the Burial
Monday December 23, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday December 22, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
Family and Friends Service
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday December 22, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday December 23, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
Burial
Following the memorial service
Monday December 23, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 59634
Reception
Following the Burial
Monday December 23, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
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Charlie Mueller aka Go Cinn Reds! says
I have so much to say, but, not sure where to begin and end, so, with that, you will never be forgotten, a great friend, and rest in peace, God Bless you, you, will be missed. Love Ya Man!
Olivia Tooley says
Thank you for being an officer who treated everyone with respect, regardless of rank. Rest in peace sir.
Cindi Stenbak says
Erin and Family,
I was so sad to read this. I know Jim had been sick but last I had heard he was doing better. My heart is hurting for you and if you need anything please let me know. I will forever remember Jim as the person that brought acronyms fully into my life. He had one for everything! I will never forget our quality training trip to Washington and the Olive Garden waitress that was giving Jim a bad time about his ball team . Just about the time she thought she had won the argument about which team was better and she was telling him what she thought of his team she happened to mention she was a sergeant in the National Guard. Jim quietly slid his ID badge over so she could see it. Everyone that knows Jim will know the reaction she had and then she said “Well your ball team still stinks….. Sir.. :)” I laughed so hard!! and we all had a great evening giving her a hard time back. He was so much fun, so kind and so caring. I will fondly cherish the memories I have of him. Love and hugs to you all. Cindi
Sara " Madge" Margie Graveley says
. I will always remember Jims sharp wit, and teasing ways! Always embraced me as part of the family.
So sad he left too soon. Love you all.
Dwight McCarty says
He was a cool and collected guy. Always common sense, took care of his people, etc. He was 2/163 so I didn’t get to know him until I went to Helena in ’84. Never got excited, looked for solutions not further problems. I remember well when we converted to Brigade in late ’80s everyone was running around like a chicken with their heads cut off, but not Jim, he just sat down, took care of his people and got the job done. Some thought he lacked ambition, not true=he just didn’t get overly excited. An all around good guy!
Marc & Carolyn Quinn says
Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom, Brad, & Connie, as we remember the times of growth and disipline when you were all in Kalispell as good neighbors and friends. God Bless all of you.
Mary Ryckman says
Love the smile on the picture, brings back fun memories of a good friend and my boss. He was a great supporter for me. God speed my friend .
Mary Ryckman
Marsha Hall says
Noreen and family, What a wonderful picture of Jim, the smile is wonderful! Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see that much the last few months. He always remained kind and pleasant though and did try to smile a little grin. Noreen, what can I say about your care giving! WOW you were awesome, devoted and also very kind, when I know there were days this could have been a huge challenge. Both of you made all of us at home health feel welcome and right away, we felt like part of the family. You grabbed our hearts from the start. Take care my friend and God be with you in this very difficult time.
Carol Bryan says
I am trying to locate Jim’s cousin, Colleen Peterson, my childhood friend. If any family members could help me get in touch I would appreciate it.
I haven’t seen Jim in over 40 years, but I do remember a gentleman (as much as one could be in high school!) with a sense of humor. That seems to have been Jim!
John Etchart says
Tommy, Katie and Family:
Jim was a good friend for a long time going all the way back to HS Sports and Legion Baseball, then our Carroll years, time together after that in Missoula, on and on.
Jim had a good heart and a fair-mindedness that served him and those around him well. You could count on him to be of help when it was needed.
He did himself proud with his first class effort in the Military; its where he found his niche and “Colonel Dwyer” always had a nice ring to it!
I’m sorry for the loss of a good man gone too soon.
John
Jon Jackson says
I was very saddened to hear about Jim’s passing. I was not aware Jim had ALS. I worked for and with Jim for several years during our careers with the Montana National Guard. Jim was a man with a big heart and a good Officer. On many occasions he displayed that heart and his leadership when he was helping Soldiers. It was because of Jim that I became the United States Property and Fiscal Officer for Montana. Jim made me and enabled me to attend a senior level Logistics course, and that course qualified me to be the USPFO. I will always remember him as one of my true friends.
Mark Hartman says
I served with COL Dwyer at HQ STARC in the late ’90s; in fact, Jim pinned on my Captain’s bars when he talked me into returning to the MTNG. We also worked together at the Colonial Inn at the same time, which made for long–but always enjoyable–drill weekends, with me working for him during the day and him working for me at night. Though we lost touch over the years, I remember Jim as a consummate professional and a gentleman’s gentleman; a humble, hard-working man with a warm smile and sense of humor to match. Thank you for all that you did for me, Colonel. I will always remember you fondly and hope to live up to your example.
Stephanie Lang Clement says
I was shocked and saddened to see Jim’s obituary in the Helena IR yesterday. Jim was a wonderful man and I will always remember his mischievous grins. I had the pleasure of working with Jim a few years ago. He was a great friend to many. You will be missed, my friend. A bright light left this world on December 15th. God Bless all of you.