Obituary for James H. 'Jim' Fellows
James H Fellows, 86, of Big Timber passed away on January 23, 2017 after a 13 year battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He was born June 7, 1930 in Scottsbluff, NE to Mary (Weibert) and Walter Fellows. The family moved to Benteen, MT when Jim was in 3rd grade. He was active in football, basketball and track and soon after graduating from Lodge Grass high school he married his high school sweetheart, Roberta (Bobbie) Foltz.
They worked at the Dana Ranch Company out of Parkman, WY until they purchased land in 1950 at Ashland MT. They sold the ranch and moved to Big Timber in 1960 where he managed the Jamartom Ranch in the Glasston area. He was a master at fixing whatever was broken as well as building whatever might make the work easier. He “wore many hats” during this time as irrigator, machinist, veterinarian, to say nothing of his time as daddy to five little ones (4 girls and 1 boy). The family spent several Sunday afternoons watching him enjoy his passion for Trap Shooting which he was very good at, bringing home many a turkey or ham when he won a shoot.
The ranch was sold in 1975 and the family moved into Big Timber. Jim went to work for Stenberg Construction where he mastered the loader and scraper and built many dams, ponds, roads or whatever needed to be built. He had an eye for leveling and many times the customer would request Jim to do the work as they knew he would do a good job. He used to say he knew every rancher and farmer in Sweet Grass County and the surrounding counties. He had a special relationship with Stanley Stenberg and his family.
Jim officially retired in 1995 but worked off and on after that on projects when the Scraper was required to get the job done. In 1997 Jim and Bobbie purchased land out of White Sulphur Springs, and together with family they built a cabin where they spent many happy retirement days. Jim continued to fish and always looked forward to his annual hunting trip to West Yellowstone with his son and grandson, never missing a hunt for 32 years up until this last October due to health. He also enjoyed daily coffee time with his coffee buddies, a game of cribbage, and playing the harmonica and piano by ear. Gardening became a passion in his later years of retirement. His hobby of rock cutting produced many pieces of agate jewelry and belt buckles for members of his family. He served on the Big Timber City Council and the Senior Center Board of Directors and is a member of the Congregational Church. His greatest joy in life was his family.
Preceding him in death were his parents, sister Margaret Hanley, brother Tom Fellows and first born son, James Walter and two nieces. Survivors include his wife of almost 69 years, Bobbie, daughters Linda (Ron) Mosness of Helena, Sandy (Ron) Thomas of Big Timber, Susan (Bruce) Gottwig of Missoula, Sally (Neal) Indreland of Big Timber and son Jim (JoLynn) Fellows of Billings. Other survivors include his brother, Charlie (Heather) Fellows of Choteau, sister-in-law Marie Fellows, 14 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
They worked at the Dana Ranch Company out of Parkman, WY until they purchased land in 1950 at Ashland MT. They sold the ranch and moved to Big Timber in 1960 where he managed the Jamartom Ranch in the Glasston area. He was a master at fixing whatever was broken as well as building whatever might make the work easier. He “wore many hats” during this time as irrigator, machinist, veterinarian, to say nothing of his time as daddy to five little ones (4 girls and 1 boy). The family spent several Sunday afternoons watching him enjoy his passion for Trap Shooting which he was very good at, bringing home many a turkey or ham when he won a shoot.
The ranch was sold in 1975 and the family moved into Big Timber. Jim went to work for Stenberg Construction where he mastered the loader and scraper and built many dams, ponds, roads or whatever needed to be built. He had an eye for leveling and many times the customer would request Jim to do the work as they knew he would do a good job. He used to say he knew every rancher and farmer in Sweet Grass County and the surrounding counties. He had a special relationship with Stanley Stenberg and his family.
Jim officially retired in 1995 but worked off and on after that on projects when the Scraper was required to get the job done. In 1997 Jim and Bobbie purchased land out of White Sulphur Springs, and together with family they built a cabin where they spent many happy retirement days. Jim continued to fish and always looked forward to his annual hunting trip to West Yellowstone with his son and grandson, never missing a hunt for 32 years up until this last October due to health. He also enjoyed daily coffee time with his coffee buddies, a game of cribbage, and playing the harmonica and piano by ear. Gardening became a passion in his later years of retirement. His hobby of rock cutting produced many pieces of agate jewelry and belt buckles for members of his family. He served on the Big Timber City Council and the Senior Center Board of Directors and is a member of the Congregational Church. His greatest joy in life was his family.
Preceding him in death were his parents, sister Margaret Hanley, brother Tom Fellows and first born son, James Walter and two nieces. Survivors include his wife of almost 69 years, Bobbie, daughters Linda (Ron) Mosness of Helena, Sandy (Ron) Thomas of Big Timber, Susan (Bruce) Gottwig of Missoula, Sally (Neal) Indreland of Big Timber and son Jim (JoLynn) Fellows of Billings. Other survivors include his brother, Charlie (Heather) Fellows of Choteau, sister-in-law Marie Fellows, 14 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
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Celebration of Life
Friday
27
Jan
11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
First Congregational Church
402 Anderson Street
Big Timber, MT 59011
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