Claude James Flynn was born on August 31, 1937 in Townsend Montana and from that day forward was known as Jim. His parents George and Loilla, and his older sister Ruth, soon welcomed Shirley and Bob into the family. Ruth passed away at the age of four and the remainder of the family lived in Toston and later in Townsend where Jim graduated from high school in 1955. During his senior year in high school he met Lorna Horne and their love story lasted until her passing in 2015.

Jim grew up in the outdoors of Montana and it shaped who he was throughout his life. His off time was spent hunting, fishing, and exploring the backroads of the state with his family. And family was at the center of the life that Jim and Lorna built. They never missed a ball game, concert or activity and supported their kids and grandkids in every endeavor. Jim was fond of saying they had raised three good kids out of four, always with a twinkle in his eye and refused to say who the "bad" one was.

In 1963, Jim went to work at the Department of Highways (later Montana Department of Transportation). Despite having little more than a high school education, Jim moved steadily up the ranks, retiring as the Construction Engineer of the Butte District.  Though he retired in 1995, Jim's legacy at MDT includes managing the construction of the last segment of the Interstate system in Montana and hiring and training many of the senior leaders in the agency, many of whom are still there today.  The family remembers many a weekend drive through his construction projects (cleverly disguised as a "drive through the hills.")

In his retirement years, he and his partner in crime Lorna lived life to the fullest in adventures big and small from weekend camping trips to their great Alaskan trek to following their love of country music to Branson, Missouri.  No doubt they have already made plans for the next great adventure.

Jim passed away at Copper Ridge Health and Rehab on January 18, 2023. He was active until near the end of this life, including one last hunting trip with his son Larry and beloved cousin Kevin in November. He is survived by his brother Bob (Karen) from Wichita, KS; sister Shirley of Garland TX; children Loren (Barbara) of Missoula; Chris (Brad) of Laramie, WY; Nina (David) of Tekoa WA; and Larry (Cathy) of Helena; grandkids Hope, Erik, Sarah, Abbey, Mara and Ian; and great grandkids Oliver, Emily, Louis and Isley. The family also acknowledges the care our dad received from the staff at Copper Ridge, Dr. John Pullman and his team for many decades, and the extraordinary love and kindness of his cousin Kevin Flynn and his neighbors Dave and Marilyn Starcevich.

With sadness, we also know that he and Lorna will be dancing again for eternity.

Please join us for a celebration of life at Duggan Dolan Mortuary in Butte at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 23 followed by a no host reception at the McQueen Athletic Club from 2:30 until 4 p.m.