In the afternoon of Tuesday, April 9, 2024, Jim passed away peacefully at Cooney Healthcare and Rehab Center in Helena, Montana.
Jim was born July 13,1936 to James H. Poore and Myrtle (Phillips) Poore. Jim was the oldest of two children. Jim lived in Helena most of his life. He had many aunts, uncles, and cousins in the area who were influential throughout his life. He would tell stories of fishing with his dad and uncles. For a time, he would buy a new fly rod each year, but then he would tell how his dad and son Mike would always catch more fish. Jim loved hunting as well. Many times, he would return from a hunting adventure, and we would ask what he got. His answer would be, “I got back.”
Jim attended Helena High School and graduated in 1954. After graduation, he attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington for a few years before returning to Montana to complete his mechanical engineering degree from Montana State College in Bozeman. During this time Jim was in the army and met Vicki Rue while she was attending PLU. Stories were told of Jim walking 17 miles from his military base to have coffee this good-looking girl. Jim and Vicki were married June 24, 1961, in Portland, OR.
They started their life together in Three Forks, MT where Jim worked at the talc plant. While Jim and Vicki lived in Three Forks, they had four children. Jim and Vicki moved to the Hamilton/ Corvallis area for a time and eventually moved back to Helena. In Helena, Jim worked for the Pella company and later Saint Peter’s Hospital. Jim was also a skilled draftsman designing homes and buildings in the area. When Jim retired from the hospital to start work as a realtor, he also started painting. Many friends and family members now have his paintings.
In retirement, Jim designed his own home to be built in the Canyon Ferry area where Jim and Vicki enjoyed the space and the wild life. When his health would no longer allow him to live at Canyon Ferry, Jim and Vicki moved to East Helena where they both lived until recently. Wherever Jim went, he liked to visit, and he would never turn down a piece of pie.
Jim’s legacy of love for his wife continued for 62 years, passing away just four days after his wife. Jim is survived by his son James C. Poore of Draper, Utah; son Michael (Lynn) Poore of Salt Lake City, Utah; daughter Michelle (Steve) Ringdahl of Oakes, North Dakota; and daughter Tamara Poore of Helena, Montana. Surviving grandchildren are Nicholas (Emily) Pericich of Belgrade, Montana; Cody (Sabrina) Pericich of Dallas, Pennsylvania; Shane Ringdahl (Matt Leidholm) of Mandan, North Dakota; and Tyler Ringdahl of Oakes, North Dakota. Surviving great grandchildren are Rocco and Lena (Cody and Sabrina) and Cami and Dean (Nick and Emily). He is also survived by one brother, Mark Poore, his sister-in-law Kathi (Dennis) Rolfe, and brother-in-law CJ (Gayle) Rue.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James H. and Myrtle M. Poore, his wife Vicki, his daughter-in-law Cami (Mike) Poore, and grandson Gary Pericich.
May God bless the memory of James Phillip Poore.
Condolences may be sent to The Poore Family, c/o Michelle (Poore) Ringdahl, 11658 88th St SE, Oakes, ND 58474
Flowers may be sent to Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Our Redeemers Lutheran Church, 3580 N Benton Ave, Helena, MT 59601
Four Georgians Elementary Library, 555 W Custer Ave, Helena, MT 59601
American Diabetes Association
Service Schedule
Prayer Service
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday April 16, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
12:30 p.m.
Wednesday April 17, 2024
Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church
3580 N Benton Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
1:30 p.m.
Wednesday April 17, 2024
Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church
3580 N Benton Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the service
Wednesday April 17, 2024
Forestvale Cemetery
690 Forestvale Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Prayer Service
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday April 16, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
12:30 p.m.
Wednesday April 17, 2024
Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church
3580 N Benton Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
1:30 p.m.
Wednesday April 17, 2024
Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church
3580 N Benton Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the service
Wednesday April 17, 2024
Forestvale Cemetery
690 Forestvale Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Chryl L Poore says
Jim…remember you from St Peters…you were such a character and a gentleman. Only Heaven knew that I would become related to you when I married your cousin David Poore, years later.
Rip big guy…always reminded me of Kenny Roger’s. Condolences to your family. How sweet that you were greeted by your wife at Heavens gates!
Sherry Jacobs says
Bob and I enjoyed our visit when we stopped on our way to Columbus,Mt. Great to visit such beautiful spirited family.
Daniel Mack says
40 years in the restaurant business and one of the kindest men–and couples I have ever met. Genuine and always reaching out, too rare some times these days. What a wonderful couple, and Jim always remembered a poem I shared with him many years ago. You were both so very kind I never forgot it. White light to you both and those loved ones left behind.
That is a loss of Spirit to Helena, doubly so.
Linda M Anderson says
To Jim’s family, Jack and I would like to express our sympathy to Jim’s family. We just found the obituary online and didn’t know he and his wife had both passed. Jack went all through school with Jim and he has many happy memories of their hunting trips together. So very sorry, Jack and Lynn Anderson