RED LODGE - James Michael Tomicich, age 34, died on June 23, 2007, at his Red Lodge Home.
He was the son of Michael and Debra (Normile) Tomicich, born on Jan. 1, 1973, in Red Lodge. He graduated from Red Lodge High School in 1992 and enlisted in the National Guard, attending boot camp while still a high school junior. He received an honorable discharge one and a half years later, just shy of active enlistment. He moved to Portland, Ore., where he graduated from the Western Culinary Institute. He moved back to Red Lodge in 2000, where he worked as a chef for Rock Creek Resort until 2002, when he moved to Vail, Colo., to work for a time. James was a member and Master Councilor of the Demolay, where he was given the distinguished honor of Chevalier. He was also a member of the Red Lodge Community Church.
His hobbies included cooking, fishing and golfing, hunting, skydiving, playing pool and darts with his family and friends, and watching all kinds of movies. He also devoted much of his time to caring for his two grandmothers, Elsie and Jean. James was a wonderful person with a big heart who will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his parents, Michael and Debra Tomicich of Red Lodge; sister Danielle Tomicich (companion Greg Sly) of Portland, Ore.; grandmothers Elsie Normile and Jean Tomicich; and aunts and uncles, Kathleen Normile, Susan and Steve Beard, Jamie and Tim Ortner, Wayne Tomicich and Kelly and Scott Vanness, along with six cousins. His two grandfathers, Jim Normile and Mike Tomacich, preceded him in death.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 28, at 11 a.m., at the Red Lodge Community Church. Inurnment will be at the Red Lodge Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to the Montana Diabetes Association, 3203 Third Ave. N., Suite #203, Billings, MT 59101. Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.
This obituary was originally published in the Billings Gazette.
Not living in the area for many years we often get news late. This is news we were sad to get. Though we did not have the chance to know James, he must have been a wonderful young man. Curt and I send our heartfelt condolences to the families.
Margaret (Gerhardt) Maxwell
March 28, 2008 | Whitewood, SD
Dan, Debbie and Mike,
We want you to know that our prayers and thoughts are with you in this difficult time. We will never forget all of the wonderful times we shared with James. We love you all!
Jeff and Olga Prather
June 29, 2007
Dear Debbie, Michael, and ALL of the Normile and Tomicich families,
Though I only met James once, I have to say I do remember his big smile and the twinkle in his eyes. You are such a special family and I pray that your fond memories and closeness will help you through this difficult time. Hope you see you during the 4th.
Love,
Raenell Hyvonen Johnson
June 29, 2007 | Browning, MT
We are so very sorry to hear of the passing of your son. We can only imagine the pain such a loss brings. Please accept our sincere condolences and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers
Norm Klein and the Staff of Local Government Services
June 29, 2007 | Helena, MT
Dear Tomicich family-
We were shocked by James' death! I'll always remember him with a smile on his face and a glint of mischief in his eyes. It sounds as if he lived his life to the fullest. We pray that God will comfort you in your loss.
Kevin & Colleen (Martin) Hudak
June 28, 2007 | Astoria, OR
I am so very sorry to hear about your son, grandson, nephew...he was a friend of my nephew Ty Cortner in
high school, and I know how dear he
must have been to ALL of your family. Only the good Lord is able
to lift our heads above such a deep
sorrow. "Cast all your cares upon Him"..I Peter 5:7 with love and prayer, ronda planichek simkins
ronda simkins
June 28, 2007 | Bozeman, MT
I was so very sorry to hear about James' passing. I know that he was confronted with threatening health issues at a very young age, but still his contributions and friendship will not be forgotten.
My condolences to family and friends of James. He will be greatly missed. -- Michael J. Kosorok
Michael & Birgit Kosorok
June 28, 2007 | Red Lodge, MT
Please accept my deepest sympathy. I will never forget my dear classmate and friend, James. I shall cherish always the memories I have of James from our Kindergarten years to present day. I will remember him when I think about how much impact a friendly smile has on others.
Tonya Kosorok
June 28, 2007 | Red Lodge
Debbie, Mike & family,
We are so sorry for your loss. We're always here with a shoulder for you to lean on. You're in our thoughts and prayers.
Tony and Ruby Krumheuer
June 28, 2007 | Billings
