James H. Dunkin

James H. Dunkin

August 10, 1939 - Februrary 18, 2024

HAMILTON - Jim was born in Virginia City, Montana to Reese and Edna Dunkin. After many years of unsuccessful treatments for cancer, the cancer won the battle. In 2015 his Doctors told him to get his final wishes made as he'd have a maximum of six months to live at the most. In typical Cowboy fashion, Jim decided to "turn his toes out" and give it his best. He put up one hell of ride as it took until 2024 for the ride to end.

Growing up on cattle ranches, Jim was a true cowboy on the range or in the rodeo arena. He entered his first competition at age 13, then continued through high school rodeos and amateur rodeos, first a permit with the RCA soon to becoming a full member of the RCA. Many years later he joined the Old Timer's Rodeo Assoc. At the time of his death he was in the Rodeo Alumni.

Jim had the belief that if it couldn't be done on horseback it wasn't worth doing. In order to eat, pay entrance fees, travel expenses and medical bills, Jim was employed in many fields which included range and ranch cowboy, dude wrangling, breaking and training horses and a few construction projects. He also was involved in movies and some TV series during filming serving as an extra, stunt riding, as a stand-in actor, and worked for a movie livestock producer which led him to many locations in several states. Among the many films that he was in are Missouri River Breaks, Little Big Man, Far and Away and A River Runs Through It.

Jim is survived by his brother, Dan of Lakeside, MT; sister, Judy of Coeur D' Alene, ID and Bob (Tana) of Belgrade, MT plus several nieces, nephews and cousins and including the many friends he made during his time on earth.

As per Jim's request, there will be no services!