James Howard Wilkins

James Howard Wilkins

Aug. 3, 1933 - May 30, 2023

HELENA - James Howard Wilkins, a Helena native, decided on May 30, 2023, it was time to head back to the clubhouse and join his wife, Ruth, for toddy hour, dinner, and a little dancing. Jim was just a few months shy of his 90th birthday (August 3, 1933) and for almost 90 years, his life was filled with family, friends, faith, community connections and entrepreneurial endeavors. Born to Howard F. Wilkins and Lillian K. Weiser, Jim followed his fraternal twin brother, Tom, into the world, and they ruled the roost at 516 Harrison until their little brother, Howard III, joined them. Jim attended Cathedral High School and graduated from Gonzaga Prep in 1951. After his time at Gonzaga and a short stint at MSU, Jim enlisted in the Army in 1953 and served until 1955. He was stationed in Europe, and there he developed a love of seeing the world that he fully embraced and passed along to his children.

We have to thank his cousin, Jack Weiser, for being an unintentional matchmaker when Jim made the "Weiser choice" and went on a date with Jack's former flame, Ruth Mary Sauber, at RB's Drive-In here in Helena. On September 1, 1956, they married at the Cathedral of St. Helena and in 1957, they swapped the mountains of Montana for the plains of Illinois. They moved to the south side of Chicago where Jim attended the Illinois College of Optometry and Ruth performed secretarial work to help support their young family. Their son, Stephen James, was born in Chicago in 1959. After receiving his Doctor of Optometry degree in 1960, Jim and Ruth packed up and returned to Montana to begin his optometric career in Sidney. Three more children, Kathy ('61), Scott ('63) and Craig ('65) would be born during their time in Eastern Montana.

The Wilkins family moved from Sidney back to Helena in 1968, to start his private practice and in 1971, Jim joined forces with Mike Coffey and Tom Rasmussen to establish the Helena Optometric Group. Jim and his colleagues' innovative approach to the development and management of HOG (as it was affectionately called) paved the way for Montana's very first group optometric practice. Their business model developed into what is now known as Montana Eyecare - one of the state's most successful optometry practices.

In 1972, their last child, Susan, was born, and when Jim wasn't busy with his family of five and his burgeoning optometry practice, he was coaching baseball, helping with homework, slinging beers with the Kiwanis, skiing the slopes of Belmont or hitting the links. In the 80s, Jim was president of Green Meadow Country Club for a period of time and GMCC was a regular destination on Wednesday afternoons where he enjoyed men's league play. Jim had a very strong work ethic but always made sure there was time for family and fun. Road trips to see his parents in Walnut Creek, CA, Ruth's family in Livingston and Billings were always an adventure. The famous (infamous?) camping trips to Holland Lake and Canyon Ferry boating on the Son of a Beach (his handmade pontoon boat-RIP) in the summers were particularly memorable. Both Jim and Ruth enjoyed entertaining friends. He was always the consummate host and mixologist for bridge nights, cribbage parties and pre-functioning before dinners out and dancing. Night Owl anyone?

Upon his retirement from Montana Eyecare in 1997, Jim continued to enjoy golfing, annual Wilkins family reunions and visiting their kids and grandkids near and far. Trips to the Hawaiian Islands, many cruises and traveling in their RV with friends and family gave him great joy. His love for furry friends Coco, KC and eventually Loco, cemented dad's title as the "Dogfather." Jim didn't ever fully retire and maintained his business acumen taking on management of the Columbus Center in Great Falls along with business partners, Al Kautz and Jerry Nichols. He always kept busy "Jimmy rigging" projects around the rental property that he and Ruth purchased in 1993. This was to be their retirement project, but unfortunately Ruth's story came to an abrupt end in 2006 after a two-year battle with cancer. Their son Scott left us all too soon in 2008. Jim stayed active walking his dogs, maintaining a busy social and spiritual calendar and keeping close family connections, particularly with his brother, Tom's children, Mary Elizabeth, Kathleen, and John, who were like kids to him. Cribbage games with his dear friend Bernie Grovom over drinks kept his brain and wit sharp, but his memory started slipping in recent years. Despite this decline, Dad was always good spirited and put the needs of others before those of his own. He truly was a generous spirit who gave freely of his time, tutelage, love, laughter, and, of course, a well-poured drink! Cheers to an extraordinary man who will be missed greatly.

Old soldiers never die but their spirit lives on…

Those who have gone before Jim include his parents, Howard and Lillian; brothers: Tom and Howard, wife Ruth; son, Scott; his furry children: Coco, KC and Loco; and many other family members, friends and colleagues.

To all the family and friends who remain, we hope you all will raise a glass of bourbon to celebrate Jim's remarkable life. As Jim would say, "That was a helluva meal."

Our family wants to thank Jim's best (and only) son-in-law, Joe Mathews (Kathy); and daughters-in-law: Tina (Steve), Tammy (Craig) and Trina (Susan); and Jim's grandkids and nieces and nephews for your love and support of Pops. You all hold a special place in our hearts and Dad truly loved and was grateful for each and every one of you. And an extra big thank you to the staff of Renaissance (Misty, Dustin, Krista, Miranda, Jared, Alyssa) for your compassionate care and making dad part of your family. You will always be a part of ours.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Diocese of Helena, Lewis & Clark Humane Society, Smile Train or a favorite charity of your choosing.

A Funeral Mass is set for 12:00 p.m., Thursday, June 8, 2023, at the Cathedral of St. Helena with a reception to follow the Mass in the Brondel Center of the Cathedral. Burial with Military Honors will follow at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Harrison.

Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of James.