James Leroy Wilcox

1948 - 2025

James Leroy Wilcox

February 23, 1948 - May 9, 2025

James Leroy Wilcox died peacefully at his home May 9th, 2025 at the age of 77. He was born on February 23, 1948 to Frank and Abbey (Sylvain) Wilcox.

Growing up in Butte, MT in the 50's and 60's was a grand experience in a city that Jim loved. Big fun was going up to the Columbia Gardens and surviving the cowboy swings, endless activities on Elm St. or dissolving soda cans in the colorful waters of Silver Bow creek. Jimmy the kid had a blast with his friends. After graduating High School in 1966, he enrolled in MSU to study architecture. His freehand chapel project drawing is most impressive in its detail.

Two days after his 20th birthday in 1968, Jim enlisted in the US Navy. He completed 33 months foreign service as a signalman on the USS Holmes County LST Ship. With his new Super 8mm movie camera, he captured much of his grand adventure experiencing the Philippines, Guam, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Japan. How much coconut crab can one man eat?

Upon Honorable discharge in 1971, Jim returned home to Butte and kept filming the moments, but now it was all family time. From camping to holidays, he captured a large collection of wonderful Wilcox memories.

He began selling real estate with his mother at her business Abby Realty and later opened JD Realty. In 1984 Jim became a certified appraiser. When he moved to Missoula in the late 80's, he would take these skills to his new career at the Montana Dept. of Revenue. Starting as a field auditor, he was soon a residential appraiser and then a commercial appraiser for most of his 23 year career. Jim was very fond of his great co-workers at DOR. A strong union supporter, he served for many years as the secretary for the state MEA-MFT.

On a fateful July 5th, 1997 day, Leroy met Earl (Craig). A fast love saw them spending most weekends together until Christmas 1997 when Jim, Craig and Ramone (Husky dog) started their life together at their home in Missoula. Over the next 27 years, Jim and Craig shared a close and wonderful relationship doing it on their own terms. With Jim's retirement at the end of 2013, they would now be together 24/7. A few years later they would upgrade to a new RV trailer to continue the touring MT adventures.

When Jim's health challenges started a few years ago, the good times and camping continued and the depth of his strength, humility and capacity to love was on full display. Always a dapper guy, Jim was a self taught piano player, flavorful cook and creative and skilled at home improvement projects. His many Missoula friends and family will miss his fun, playful, sweet and sour spirit. CHEERS TO OUR JIMMY!

Jim was proceeded in death by his parents and infant sister Alice, sister Nancy and brother Bob. Jim is survived by Craig Earl Holtorf (husband), cousin Dan Wilcox (Diane) and family, nephew Bob Wilcox (Dawn) and family, niece Kari Spolar and family , niece Becky Weis (Dennis) and family, niece Cindy Bernier (Paul) and family, niece Lori Maxson and family, sister-in-law Alice Sherman and family and brother-in-law Jim (Ronda) Holtorf and family.

Internment will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, July 17th at Mountain View Cemetery. A celebration of life will follow in the Copper Bowl Ballroom in the Finlen Hotel at 3 p.m.