James Raymond Haslip, Jr. passed to the great cabin in heaven on August 8, 2010, after a brief illness.
Jim was born in Helena on November 2, 1933 to James and Ann (Gradishar) Haslip.
During his younger years, he spent a lot of time with his family camping, fishing and hunting. Along with his brothers Bill and Jerry, he was active in sports, especially baseball and track. At Helena High, Jim helped set four school records in the 440 relay, the 880 relay, the mile relay and the medley relay. He anchored the 880 relay team that set a state record in 1951. He played on the Legion all-state team, and he played center field for the East Helena Smelterites.
Jim attended the university in Missoula on a track scholarship from 1951 to 1955, where he continued to run sprints and relays, lettering all four years. After graduating, he was drafted into the army. He spent the next two years as a radio operator in the Communications Section for the 25th AAA Battalion in Kaiserlauten, Germany. Jim was the best Morse code operator in the battalion, and did high speed international transmissions. During this time he made great lifetime friends and had many adventures traveling in Europe.
Right after Jim returned from Germany, he married his college sweetheart Delores in Absarokee. He taught in St. Regis and Absarokee before accepting a teaching job at Helena Junior High and later Helena Senior High, where he taught science and math courses and coached many sports. After he stopped coaching, he continued to shoot the starting gun at races for many years.
During the summers, Jim was a fire spotter and air attack boss for the Forest Service, BLM and DNRC. He was known as the “eye in the sky”, and he was dedicated to keeping the firefighters safe. Had he flown as planned, this would have been his fiftieth year flying the skies of the Helena National Forest, which he knew like the back of his hand. Through his many experiences and observations, he developed very strong opinions about forest management. He was an outspoken advocate for keeping forest roads open and making public lands available for the use and enjoyment of everyone. He also advocated controlled burns, sensible wood harvesting, and generally managing our resources wisely. No one loved the forest more than Jim.
Jim was awarded three National Science Foundation Grants to study for a Master’s Degree. The family spent a year in Texas while Jim went to school at Texas A & M, which turned him into a huge Aggie fan. He was always a huge Grizzly fan as well, but he was a true Montanan and rooted for every Montana team.
Jim was a Ham Radio enthusiast, and he was the state director of RACES for several years. He also assisted in the Race to the Sky, Governor’s Cup, Search and Rescue and the Vigilante Parade.
Most importantly, Jim was a great guy. He had a very sweet relationship with Delores and was the best dad anyone could hope for. He constantly told his children how proud he was of every little project or accomplishment, spent a lot of time with them, and was always patient.
Jim held himself to the highest standards of honesty and ethics. He was a kind, quiet, humble person who made friends easily without regard to age, education, social status or anything else. A lot of people knew Jim but didn’t know his name, because he was the guy who stopped to help change their flat tire or pull their car back on the road. Jim always had a joke ready, and whenever there was a lot of noise and laughing among the grandkids, we usually found Jim right in the middle of it.
Jim is survived by his wife of almost 53 years, Delores (George) Haslip, his two younger brothers Bill and Jerry and their families, and Millie (Haslip) Miller Gregory, his aunt.
He is also survived by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren: his daughter Karen Chadwick, her husband Greg, and their sons Pat (and his wife Katheryn) and John Chadwick; his son Bill Haslip, Bill’s wife Shelley, and their daughters Stacy Murfitt (and her husband Tyrell and son Wyatt), and Christine (and her fiancee Matt); his daughter Kathy Griffin of Billings, her husband Bob, and their daughters Natalie, Lauren and Claire; and his daughter Heidi Martin of Missoula, her husband Nate, and their sons Jeremy (and his wife Ashley and daughter Jennifer), and Gordon. He is also survived by his great companion and friend Bruno, his faithful dog.
Family will be receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, August 12 at Retz Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 13, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church, 400 South Oakes in Helena. Burial with Military Honors will follow the service at the Montana State Veterans CemeteryIn lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Prion Disease (CJD) Pathology Surveillance Center, 2085 Adelbert Rd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106. Arrangements are under the care of Retz Funeral Home. To offer a condolence to Jim’s family or to share a memory of Jim, please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Ken and Brenda Price says
It was always fun teaching next to Jim at both HJH and HHS. He and I were both teaching Earth Science and we had some good times together. I will always treasure those days. We sent our love and thoughts to all of you in the Haslip family. Good memories will be with all of us forever.
Ken and Brenda
Shelia Stone says
Delores and all of Jim’s family:
My deepest sympathy to you all. Jim was the kindest, most caring man. I knew him all of my life and will treasure all of the time that we had with him. While living at our cabin, he always looked out for us during fire season and kept us well informed. Everytime we heard a plane fly over head, we would have to run out and see if it was Jim and wave. He was a joy to listen to on the radio as well and I know many “hams” will miss his voice and all that he did to make sure communications were maintained. My family will always remember his freindship, his smile and all the kind things he said. He will be greatly missed. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. With love,
Shelia Ferree Stone and Daniel Stone
Pat Chadwick says
I loved my Grandpa very much. He was a great man.
Jerry Clark says
I never met Jim. My mother Judy M Adams (Clark) and Grandmother Winn Adams filled me in. I am sorry for your loss. I have created a memorial on Find a Grave.com and now Jim will never be forgotten. From one Vet to another THANK YOU. I have also included Jim in my Family History of the Adams.
Jerry Clark
The Martin family says
Delores, Jim was a great and kind man. The example you and Jim have been has changed my life. God bless you both.
Ron Warren says
Jim (Mr. Haslip in Junior High) was more of an inspiration to me than he ever knew! His love of the forest came through in his lessons. He brought his Ham radio into our 8th grade classroom which triggered a desire to learn about radio. This helped develop a life-long carreer. My Thanks to Mr. Haslip and my condolences to his family.
Mary Ellen Griffin says
Thinking of you all, with much love, during this sad time.
Vonda Smith Franklin says
I am so sorry for your loss. May the memories help heal your hearts. I have many childhood memories of the family cabin, the ranch… He will be missed.
Hal Roys says
What a fine man he was, and example for teachers. As Helena teachers go, he was the best. I am grateful for his instruction early in my life, now back home in Montana again, I hoped to find a day to visit him. He is responsible for a radio hobby of mine, I will think of him each time I tune the short-wave. Blessings to the families and freinds ’til you are reunited.
Helena Unit Initial Attack says
On behalf of the DNRC Helena Unit Fire Crew we would like to offer our condolences to the friends and family of Jim Haslip. Over many fire seasons Jim’s was a constant and calming voice as he watched over us from above. Even though we will no longer hear his voice, we know that he will still be watching over us. Although Jim’s earthly life has ended, we hope you will find comfort knowing that Jim will live on as we remember countless smokes found and steadfast guidance from above.
George kc7od says
Sorry to hear of jims passing He’ll be really m9issed by many of the ham community take care, George kc7od
Rosanna Finley & Gina Marker says
We are both so sad to hear of such a great loss. We have such fun memories of Jim when we cross-country skied to the cabin in the winter. He always made the occasion special by welcoming us into the cabin with hot drinks, snacks, and fun conversation. Even our dog had a welcome place on the couch! And It was always a comfort when Jim was flying, as he did such a tremendous job being our “eyes in the sky”. He will be missed in many ways. We send our comfort and condolences to the family.
Gary and Rosa Haslip says
Sent separately.