Jim Umphlett

James (Jim) Umphlett went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 20, 2024, after a brief stay at Canyon Creek Memory Care facility in Billings, MT.
Jim was born in Hertford, North Carolina, on March 25, 1932. Jim spent his childhood tending his parents' farm with his brother William (Billy) and his sister Gladys, where they raised soybeans, corn, cotton and peanuts. Jim graduated a year early from Perquimans County High School in 1950. While in high school, he was a secretary for the Future Farmers of America. He participated in choir and was also a member of a men's quartet. After graduation, Jim went to college in East Carolina.
After one semester, Jim joined the Air Force instead of being drafted for the Korean War. Jim's Air Force roommate told him about Janie while he was hospitalized in Texas, and Jim and Janie became pen pals. Due to a medical issue, Jim was honorably discharged from the service. Shortly after his discharge, Jim met Janie in person in November of 1951. After a brief courtship of less than two months, they were married. At the time of Janie's passing, they had been married for 72 years. After spending a short time in North Carolina and Virginia, Jim and Janie returned to Janie's hometown of Cody to start their family and raise their six boys.
Jim started his work in Wyoming in 1953 at Shoshone River Power as a bookkeeper. He then became General Manager until Pacific Power purchased Shoshone River Power in 1986. He continued to work with Pacific Power until 1990 when he retired.
Jim loved fishing, hunting, playing his guitar, traveling and sports. He would often take his boys out fishing in his boat. He passed on his love of fishing to his grandkids, and they enjoyed spending time on the boat with their grandpa. He also enjoyed taking other people fishing and supplied several people with fish to eat. In the fall, he would take the boys out hunting for deer and elk to fill their freezer. He loved playing his guitar for anyone who would listen and would recruit other people to play with him at church and anywhere else that would let him play. Jim built a baseball field and basketball court for his boys in their backyard to keep them out of their mother's hair. He supported his boys and was always at their sporting events. He even coached several of the boys in Little League and Babe Ruth baseball.
Jim's faith in Jesus was the core of who he was as a husband and father. He made sure his children and grandchildren knew the importance of living for Jesus. Jim knew no strangers and often would invite new people out to lunch after meeting them. He shared Jesus with anyone and everyone who would listen. He served in many ministries at his churches: deacon, treasurer, choir member, and Sunday School teacher. His most important church work in later years, however, was to hand out Smarties to all the children and some adults.
Jim is preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife Janie of 72 years this past January, his parents William Freeman and Eula Umphlett and his brother William (Billy) Umphlett. Jim is survived by his six boys: Jimmy (Patti) of Powell, WY, Joel (Bonnie) of Columbus, MT, Jon (Stephanie) of Casper, WY, Jeff (Susie) of Cody, WY, Jay (Wendy) of Ft. Scott, KS, and Jerry (Jody) of Newcastle, WY; 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; his sister Gladys (Curtis) Jennings of North Carolina.
Funeral services will be held at Cody Bible Church on Monday, September 30, 2024 at 10am with Pastor Levi Robinson as officiant.
Memories and condolences can be shared on Jim's memorial page at www.BallardFH.com