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1010 4th Ave. West

Columbia Falls, Montana

James Dougherty Obituary

James "Jim" Dougherty, 70

Jim passed away December 26th 2025 in Kalispell, Montana.

He was born on June 5th in Wolf Point, Montana to Michael E. and Arvilla J. Dougherty.

Jim grew up on a small farm in Wadena Minnesota. He graduated from Wadena Sr. High School in 1973. After school, he worked at the Phillips 66 in Wadena before getting a job for Merlin Martin's Moving and Storage. In 1976, ready for a change, he moved to Columbia Falls Montana where he worked for the Aluminum Plant. He worked there until an illness left him disabled. He spent the remainder of his life living at the Lake View Care Center in Bigfork Montana.

Jim loved the outdoors and spent most of his days off hunting and fishing. He even took up photography for awhile. He enjoyed muscle cars and riding motorcycles. Jim also loved watching football, good science fiction shows or movies, and a good laugh.

Jim was preceeded in death by his parents, Michael E. Dougherty and Arvilla Dougherty, his older brother Michael V. Dougherty, paternal grandparents Guy and Gertrude Dougherty, and maternal grandparents Ben and Nancy Chase.

He is survived by his brothers: Doug (Conni) Dougherty, Columbia Falls, MT, Gregg(Davina) Dougherty, St. Ignatius, MT. His sisters: Vicky(Gene) Finck, Verndale, MN, Patti Beach, Kalispell, MT, Denise(Gary) Ohs, Whitefish, MT, Pam(Larry) Roesner, Columbia Falls, MT, Becky(Winfield) West, Columbia Falls, MT, Tracy Dougherty, Columbia Falls, MT, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls on Wednesday December 31at 11:00am. Followed by arrangements and burial in Bluegrass, Minnesota. Columbia Mortuary is caring for the family.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Hungry Horse News on Jan. 7, 2026.

Memorial Events
for James Dougherty

Jan

7

Visitation

9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Schuller Family Funeral Homes

22008 Co Rd 23 (10 miles N. of Verndale on Co Rd 23), Blue Grass, MN 56477

Jan

7

Service

11:00 a.m.

Schuller Family Funeral Homes

22008 Co Rd 23 (10 miles N. of Verndale on Co Rd 23), Blue Grass, MN 56477

Jan

7

Burial

12:00 p.m.

Schuller Family Funeral Homes

17343 220th Street, Sebeka, MN 56477

Funeral services provided by:

Columbia Mortuary - Columbia Falls

1010 4th Ave. West, Columbia Falls, MT 59912

Memories and Condolences
for James Dougherty

Sponsored by Columbia Mortuary - Columbia Falls.

Not sure what to say?





3 Entries

Chad Uselman

December 30, 2025

Thoughts, prayers and condolences. Go to all of the Dougherty family. still remember Jim´s roadrunner.

Trudy Kreklau

December 30, 2025

Sending prayers for all his family. Through the mercy of God may he rest in peace.

Barb Runck

December 30, 2025

Condolences to all of you in Jim's family. May he rest in peace.

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