James H. Hitson

KETCHUM, Idaho - Longtime Ketchum resident James Henry "Jim" Hitson, 91, a Navy veteran and former Great Falls resident, died of natural causes Monday, April 11, at Safe Haven in Belle-vue, Idaho.

Cremation has taken place un-der the direction of Wood River Chapel in Hailey, Idaho.

Jim was born in North Dakota on May 10, 1919, to Henry and Carrie Hitson, one of five chil-dren. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly after the onset of World War II and first glimpsed the Wood River Valley during the war when the Sun Valley Lodge was temporarily converted to a VA Hospital. His family moved to Great Falls, Mont., in 1943, and Jim joined them there after his discharge from the service.

Jim was always involved in skiing, first in North Dakota as a jumper. He continued to do this around the state of Montana. He was an early member of the Great Falls Ski Club when it was based in the warming hut at the top of Bovey Slope and forged the 4-foot hinges for the lodge of present-day Showdown Ski Resort. In the late 1940s, Jim moved to Big Mountain at Whitefish, Mont.,, where he began his long career as a ski instructor. In 1951 he moved to Ketchum and joined the Sun Valley Ski Patrol and later the Ski School. He enjoyed working for Sun Valley Company and its predecessors (UPRR and Janss Corp.) into his late 80's.

Jim was active with the American Legion and was a popular participant in Wagon Days dressed as a mountain man. Being knowledgeable about regional history and an excellent show-man, he also participated in Shoot-outs, Rendezvous, and earned a part in the movie Pale Rider. While winters were spent on the mountain (skiing), Jim spent many summers traveling America as a truck driver. He also worked hard to get valley alumi-num cans recycled, donating all the proceeds to charity. He was a friend to many.

Jim is survived by a brother, Morris, of Southern Pines, N.C.; and a sister, Mildred of Great Falls, Mont.

Condolences may be posted online at www.gftribune.com/obituaries.