James "Jim" Crosby Gilman

July 8, 1934 - November 6, 2021

James Crosby "Jim" Gilman passed away at his home on November 6, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born in Butte on July 8, 1934 and was one of five children born to Joshua Crosby Gilman and Agnes (Lahey) Gilman. He attended local grade schools and graduated from Butte High School in 1952. He grew up in Butte and attended Montana Tech for a year. During that time, he worked in the local mines before continuing his education in Dillon. Jim later signed up for the military draft and served in the National Guard.

In 1955, Jim and Joe Burns started a landscaping business. In 1956, Jim went into business on his own and formed "Jim Gilman Excavating, Inc." and started out doing landscaping and excavation work. Over the years, his business evolved into doing crane work, demolition, site development, crushing and paving. In 1970, he purchased a stationary hot plant for producing asphalt. Other acquisitions followed as Jim's business grew. In 1974, Jim bought a gravel crusher, allowing him to tackle state highway construction and paving jobs in the Butte, Dillon and Deer Lodge areas. A portable hot plant was added to the inventory in 1979. This enabled his business the opportunity to bid and work construction jobs within 150 mile radius. Jim was a hard-working, successful and humble businessman who worked right alongside his employees. Jim had an incredible work ethic and worked to the age of 82. For over 65 years, Jim grew his business from a one-man operation to a crew that paved interstates and highways throughout Montana.

Jim was an active member of the Butte Snowmobile Club in the 1960's and 1970's and at one point served as President. Jim was a life-long member of the Montana Contractors' Association and the Butte Elk's Club. In 1999 Jim received the "Constructor of the Year Award" from Montana State University and was honored for his contribution in the construction industry for the previous forty years. Jim loved his family, friends, employees and community. Jim created the "James and Chloe Gilman Charitable Foundation" in 2004 and took pride in making annual donations to help many charitable causes.

Jim married Chloe Bina Mehrens on February 7, 1959, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Jim and Chloe were married nearly 60 years. Chloe was an integral part of the family business. She worked in the office doing book keeping and on the job sites. Chloe was Jim's number one supporter and backbone of the family business. Chloe preceded Jim in death in 2019.

Jim and Chloe had two children, LaRae and Jim, Jr., and 5 beautiful grandchildren. In Jim's younger years he enjoyed riding motorbikes, boating, water skiing, and snowmobiling. He enjoyed spending time at the family summer home at Canyon Ferry Lake. Jim and Chloe loved to entertain and were well known for their large celebrations. They both loved music and dancing. Jim was an animal lover and his dog "Mugly" was his faithful working companion and traveled from job to job. As Jim's business grew, so did his dedication and family vacations were spent looking at new construction equipment and attending trade shows. In Jim's downtime, he loved to read about the construction industry and stay informed about current events. Jim was a natural storyteller and family and friends loved to hear him talk and tell stories. Jim lived an exciting life and he had many colorful stories that were unforgettable.

Jim is survived by his daughter, LaRae South and her husband, Rick, and their children Trevor South, Trace South and Shelby South; his son, Jim Gilman, Jr. and his wife Christen, and Jim Jr.'s children Sarah Gilman and Jenna Gilman; in-laws, Keith Brown, Dan Mehrens and Ginette, Marie "Sis" (Walsh) Mehrens; nieces and nephews, Sam Al-Nouri, John Angus MacPhee and Catherine (MacPhee) Edmisten, Bill Forhan, Gayle (Forhan) Schendzielos, Diane (Forhan) DuBose, Ed Forhan, Joe Michaud, Chuck Michaud, Jr., Mary Jo (Michaud) Giacomino, Doreen (Michaud) Harding, Jim Michaud, Dan Michaud, Renee (Michaud) Overbeck, Lynda Mehrens, Sheila Mehrens, Bill Mehrens, Jr., Patsy Mehrens, Mike Patch, Pamela Kay (PK) Alden, Russell Mehrens, Tanya (Mehrens) Salmon, Ruby Austin, and Marie (Austin) Regan. Jim also leaves behind lifelong friends, Wes and Tami Oswald, and many other family, friends and employees that meant so much to him.

Jim was preceded in death by his father and mother, Joshua Crosby Gilman and Agnes (Lahey) Gilman; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, William "Dooley" and Bina (Hanley) Mehrens; his siblings Alfred Lee Gilman, Jane (Gilman) Basar, Lorraine (Gilman) MacPhee and Elaine (Gilman) Brown, as well as his in-laws Joe Basar, John MacPhee, Rudi and Alice (Mehrens) Forhan, Chuck and Mary Jo (Mehrens) Michaud, Bill Mehrens, Tony and Betty (Mehrens) Patch, Donna Mehrens, Ed and Cleda (Mehrens) Austin; his nieces, nephews and their spouses, Shirley (Basar) Brookins, Joseph Al-Nouri, Joe Basar, Jr., Glen Austin, Brenda Patch, Rhetta (Michaud) Galetti Caldwell, Colleen (Patch) Myers, Dave Harding, Frank Austin, and Carol (Michaud) Griner as well as special lifelong friend Edie Oswald and his faithful dog Mugly.

We would like to thank "Team Jim"- caregivers consisting of family and special friends who provided exceptional care to Jim and made it possible for him to be involved with his business, see family and friends, go on regular outings and enjoy many activities while living in his home over the past several years. We would also like to thank Dr. Siddoway, Encompass Health Hospice and 406 Quality Healthcare.

Friends may call after 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at St. Ann's Catholic Church. Parish Vigil will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 19, 2021 at St. Ann's Catholic Church. Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Albert's Angel Fund, 699 Centennial Ave, Butte, MT 59701, or the charity of donor's choice.