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James Grace Obituary
February 28, 1937 - March 18, 2025
James Robert Grace, age 88, of Montana City, passed away March 18, 2025. He was born on February 28, 1937 in Dillon, MT.
Jim grew up in Dillon and Laurel, Montana, where his interest in Auto Mechanics led him to work during high school for Beam's Body Shop in Laurel. He also worked as a lifeguard in the summers, Stormont's Blacksmith and Welding, and part time for his father's trucking company.
Jim graduated from Laurel High School with the class of 1957 and then attended Montana State University.
Jim married Carol Jean Erickson of Bozeman, on June 1, 1958. They had three children, Mary Jo Grace Nelson (Rich), Shannon Kay Jean Grace Paddock (Todd), and Paul Robert James 'Bobby' Grace (Karen).
After the wedding, Jim went to work for Consolidated Freightways in Billings, MT. He later worked for Boeing Aircraft in Seattle, WA, then ended up with a drafting position at the State of Montana Bridge Department.
After Carol Jean and Jim parted ways, he married Donna Arlene Olson Zimmerman on December 27, 1974, to become the stepfather to her five children, Barbara, Ted, Dave, Jim, and Jeff.
Jim and Donna lived in Clancy, MT until building their dream house on Crazy Mountain outside Montana City, where they resided (with snowbird trips to Lake Havasu, AZ until their deaths.
Jim loved square dancing, fishing, camping in their fifth wheel and spending time outdoors.
Jim is preceded in death by his mother and father; wife, Donna; daughter, Mary Jo Nelson; stepson, Ted Zimmerman; and a granddaughter Roxane Forbes. He is survived by sisters, Betty Loos and Lillie Grace; children, Shannon (Todd) Paddock and Bob (Karen) Grace; stepchildren, Barb (Bill) Townsend, Ted's wife, Karen Zimmerman, Dave Zimmerman, Jim Zimmerman, and Jeff (Kera) Zimmerman; 12 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family.
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave, Helena, MT 59602
1-406-442-8520
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Apr
7
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11:00 a.m.
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home & Crematory - Helena3750 N Montana Ave, Helena, MT 59602
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Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home & Crematory - Helena3750 N Montana Ave, Helena, MT 59602
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