James White 1942-2016

SEELEY LAKE - James White, 73, of Seeley Lake passed away Tuesday, Feb. 16.

He was born to Henry James White, Sr. and Opal (Jetton) in 1942. His father was stationed at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked and his mother Opal was sent to the mainland in San Francisco, Calif. where Jim was born. He graduated high school from Concord High, Concord, Calif. in 1960.

A year later he was granted a football scholarship to Northern Montana College where he played the position of Guard for the Northern Lights. There he met Caroll Ann Manuel and they were married in 1963 in Browning, Mont. Their daughter Christine was born in 1966.

Jim worked for Caroll's father at the Browning Telephone Company, starting as a Lineman. This began his 30-year career in the telephone industry. In 1993 he retired from GTE as Construction Manager for the Northwest Region and they returned to Montana.

Jim was a dedicated volunteer fire fighter for most of his adult life, starting in Browning and retiring in 2007 in Seeley Lake. With the Seeley Lake Rural Fire Department he held the positions of firefighter, training officer, assistant chief, chief, battalion chief, and longstanding board member. He was never happier than when he was fighting fire or working a fire command center. One of his proudest accomplishments was the 2,500-gallon water tender he built for the Seeley Lake department from a military surplus vehicle.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Caroll; his daughter Christine White Deeble (Ben); his sister Sue White of Antioch, Calif.; and his loving shadow Smokey, their Elkhound.

His family wishes to express their gratitude and sincere thanks to the first responders of the Seeley Lake Rural Fire Department and Missoula Emergency Services who came to Jim's aid countless times, to his dedicated health care professionals including George Bandow, Michael Hutchins, Glenn Jarrett, Matthew Maxwell, Doug Turner, Kim Grover and all the nurses and doctors across Missoula County who have cared for Jim over the years whose names are too many to mention but to whom we are grateful for their care.

Jim might not have born here in Montana but he got here as soon as he could. If ever someone's soul was rooted to a place, Jim's was here in Montana.

At Jim's request, no services will be held.