| Notes |
- DOB: Montana Birth Record, Lippe pg 156 has 1914
DOM: Montana Marriage Certificate
DOD: Find a Grave
James Joseph Violette
ST. IGNATIUS - James Joseph Violette, 91, of St. Ignatius, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2005, of natural causes at Millpond Assisted Living in St. Ignatius.
Jim was born July 23, 1913, in Deer Lodge, the son of Edmond and Mabel (Barnden) Violette. He grew up and attended school in Deer Lodge. After he graduated from high school, the family moved to St. Ignatius and he worked on the family ranch.
He met Gladys English, who lived on a neighboring farm, and they were married in November 1937. For 68 years they never left each other's side and had a love affair that never dimmed.
Jim's first job was in the Flathead Mine outside of Niarada. There he built their first house from railroad ties, roofed with sod, and handcrafted their furniture. After the nine years, they returned to the ranch on Post Creek and moved into a former stage stop that they remodeled and lived in for the rest of their lives.
During World War II, Jim worked in Oregon at the shipyards as a welder. In 1962 he began work for the University of Montana as night watchman. He moved to mechanic in the motor pool and ran that until he retired in 1975. Jim's legacy set the bar to live a deliberate, simple, self-sufficient life. Jim and Gladys proudly maintained and shared the bounty of their renowned, perfect, weedless garden with family and friends. A 60-pound hubbard squash was not uncommon. Jim was a talented, celebrated mechanic who was seldom paid, but always appreciated for his generosity. When machine parts were unavailable, he would manufacture what was needed. Jim was on a competition sharpshooter team. Additionally, as an avid hunter, he fed his family from hunting trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness as well as his favorite hunting areas in the Little Thompson. He belonged to a flying club and enjoyed flying a Piper Cub into Schaefer Meadows to fish. Committed to his community, he helped organize a Civil Air Patrol and participated as a ham radio operator, taught hunter safety and was a rural volunteer firefighter. Finally, Jim and Gladys' kitchen was the centerpiece for their weekend pinochle gathering, where they warmly welcomed their dear friends. For all of these memories, Jim's smile and creativity will be missed.
Survivors include Jim's loving wife Gladys; brother Edmond Violette and wife Gloria of Boulder, Colo.; two sons, Bill and wife Jenny of Missoula, and Glenn and wife Patricia McLaughlin of Whitefish; daughter Betty of Bigfork; grandchildren, Mike and wife Cheryl and their children Max and Emily, Kris Violette of Missoula, Porter Dassenko and wife Anita of Belgrade and great-granddaughters Bridget and Natasha Dassenko; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Cremation has taken place.
Eratta: 291d) correct date of birth to 23-7-1913 Deer Lodge, Montana; correct date of marriage to 5-11-1937
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1913 - 2005 (91 years)
