James Alexander Anschutz

1944 - 2025

James Alexander Anschutz

January 3, 1944 - April 3, 2025

James Alexander Anschutz passed away on April 3, 2025, at the age of 81 in Loveland, Colorado. He was born on January 3, 1944, in Rapid City, South Dakota, to Alex and Mildred (Norlin) Anschutz. He grew up in a large and loving family, the youngest of seven children.

Jim's love of music shaped his entire life, starting with playing guitar for an audience of one-his beloved mother. He often spoke of how he would create a stage of milk crates and a curtain of sheets on the clothesline to perform for her, much to her delight. At the age of 13, he won a talent show on a Rapid City radio station and then went on to perform in nightclubs. For over 50 years, he played lead guitar professionally across South Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado. He was well known for his rendition of the song "Malaguena" and would bring the house down when he'd lie on the ground and play the guitar behind his back. His skill and passion for music earned him recognition with induction into both the South Dakota Rock & Rollers Hall of Fame and the Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame.

Jim graduated from Rapid City Central High School and went on to earn a degree from Casper College.

In February 1965, he married the love of his life, Gladys, after meeting her at the Beacon Club in Casper, where Jim was playing in the band. They spent 51 beautiful years together. Their union was filled with unwavering love, coffee and cigarettes, laughter, incessant bickering, and, of course, music.

In addition to his career in music, Jim spent many years working in the medical profession as a flight-for-life dispatcher at St. Anthony Hospital in Denver and as a financial counselor at Lutheran Medical Center before his retirement. In 1980, Jim and Gladys moved from Colorado to Wyoming and purchased the Eagle Bar in LaBarge, Wyoming. Jim's bad jokes, love of Budweiser, and infectious sense of humor quickly earned him the friendship of many in the small town.

Jim's memory lives on through his children, Michelle (Christopher) Jabs of Windsor, Colorado; Jim (Amy) Anschutz of Big Piney, Wyoming; Allen (Annie) Sterner of Arvada, Colorado; and Dale (Sharon) Sterner of Casper, Wyoming. He is also survived by many grandchildren, nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law, and friends.

Jim is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gladys; his parents, Alex and Mildred Anschutz; and his siblings, Robert, Lloyd, Bill, Joyce, Berdena, and Rose.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held at the American Legion in Windsor, Colorado, on April 19th at 4:00 p.m.