James Michael Lester left us early the morning of August 10 ^th 2022 to sail the seas once again with his wife Nancy.

Jim was born on July 29 ^th 1936 in Butte, Montana to Helen Bersanti and William Lester.  He lived with his father, aunt Margaret and uncles until his father passed away when he was 5 years old.

He then moved to Whitehall with his mother, step-father and siblings.

Jim attended school in Twin Bridges and Whitehall completing the 8 ^th grade. In 1971 he acquired his GED so he could be employed at the Silver Bow County Sheriff's Department.

Jim started working on many farms and ranches in the Whitehall area at age twelve.  He acquired his love for horses and farming.

He joined the United States Army in 1953.  After attending basic training he was stationed in Germany receiving the National Defense services Medal, Army Occupation Medal, and Sharpshooter (Carbine Rifle M-1 and Sniper 308 Springfield).  His duties included the safety of our generals and their families.  In 1958 Jim returned to the states and was stationed at Fort Ord California.  In November 1958 he transferred to Fort Lawton, Washington and enlisted in the reserves.  He discharged with honors in September 1961.

Jim served as a police officer in Watsonville, California for a short time before moving back to Butte in 1958.

On January 11 ^th 1958 Jim met Leonella Kelly.  They married on April 23, 1960.  They had three wonderful children Leonella Johnson (Peter), James Lester (Nancy) and Troy Lester.  They divorced in 1979.

He married Nancy Prince on February 14, 1982.  He was blessed with a step daughter Rachael (Kermit) James, and two step sons, David Prince and Larry Prince.

Work was fun for Jim, he always could come up with a project or two.  He helped numerous friends remodel or build homes, fix cars or with anything they needed help with.  Jim was a jack of all trades and master of many.  He was a security guard at the airport; volunteer fireman Big Butte Fire Department; First Responder for 30 years; custodian for Hickman; bus driver for many companies (Lady of the Rockies, Butte School district, Tucker Transportation and Butte High/Butte Central); police officer for Butte Silver Bow for 30 years; Swat team leader; Camp commander and firearms instructor at the Police Academy post retirement; Tire man in the Berkley Pit; tin miner in Alaska with his dear brother in law Tom Pearson; garbage collection for Martz Disposal; City Taxi driver; driller for Okeefe Drilling; heavy equipment operator; Security at Walmart; and Security at Bridger Bowl for 16 years.  Most of the time Jim worked two or three jobs.  He was proud that he passed his passion for working hard on to his children.

Jim was adventurous and loved anything challenging.  Jumping from a plane 85 times at the Bert Mooney air field was just one of his hobbies.  He then took things a bit farther and started taking lessons to be a pilot.

Jim loved to fish and restored his first boat The Hand Basket.  He later acquired The Handbasket 2 and his love for boating continued throughout his life.  He owned many sail boats but his last boat, the Nansea, an ocean troller, was his favorite.  At the dock at Kim's Marina you often saw a line of kids waiting to take a jump off the boat.  He would get right up and jump with them.  In the early mornings at Kim's Marina when the water was still.  You could hear a boat in the bay and see Jim and his friend Greg barefoot water skiing.  He was 75!  Jim loved people and the more the merrier.  He and his wife Nancy

spent most every weekend at Canyon Ferry Lake for over 20 years.  He also worked at the marina rebuilding docks and whatever else needed to be done.   Jim and his wife Nancy spent many days on the coast of Washington, Alaska and Canada in the troller.  He loved the ocean, and talked about those trips being some of the best times of his life.

Jim was an avid skier, starting at the Beef Trail when he was a young man.  Some of Jim's fondest memories were skiing at Beef Trail for many years with his family and close friends; fixing the rope tows when they would break down and skiing the bowl on Main in the fresh powder.  He taught many of the children in the family how to ski.  He joined the National Ski Patrol Association and after 50 years became a life time member.  Jim worked as a police officer at Bridger Bowl Ski area and patrolled at Discovery Basin and Big Sky.  He skied every ski area in the state.

One of Jim's biggest passions was running.  He started running when he was forty and kept going until he was 83.  He ran with a group of good friends that called themselves the Piss and Moan Club.  They were a great group, participating in every run they could find from Butte to Anaconda and Helena.  Jim has a row of trophies and medals to show for his running.  He ran the governor's cup many times.  The Veterans Day run and run to the Lady of the Rockies on January 1 ^st every year were his favorite as he often ran with his son in law Pete.

Jim was very active in Special Olympics and other volunteer organizations.  He ran his first torch run, unassisted from Helena to Butte in 1971. He ran the torch for many years, participated in Special Olympic sports and received the Special Olympic volunteer of the year award in 1999.  He was a volunteer at area games and participated and developed fund raising events such as Tip A Cop.  Jim donated blood regularly, donating over 56 gallons in his life time.  He was a member of Big Brothers and Sisters program in Butte, not only did he include his Little Brother in his family, but also included the entire family of eight children.  He spent time with them doing all the things he loved to do and giving them experiences they will never forget.  Jim played Santa Claus for over fifteen years with his wife Nancy.  They went to parties and homes of family's to surprise the kids every year.  Jim ran the Silver Bow Police Fish Derby at Home Stake Lake for many years.  He loved seeing the kids fishing and winning prizes.

Jim liked to do anything to keep active.  He and his brother in law Bill built and flew hang gliders.  It often ended up in a trip to the Emergency room but it was always fun.   Jim built and raced hot rods.  His 55 Chevy was his pride and joy.  He often had his brother Ricky with him as his pit crew racing at the airport.  Jim raised and trained horses.  His Arabian, Count was his faithful companion.  He often road him in the Butte Parade for the Big Brothers and Sisters or Biggers Arabians.  His love for horses extended to his family and he made many friends in the horse world.   Jim spent many weekends camping at Georgetown Lake when his kids were younger.  He loved to be in his little (handbasket) boat with the music playing, a couple of kids, and a cup of coffee fishing in the dark.

Jim loved his Grand Children, he attended many baseball games, concerts and other activities the kids were involved in.

Jim is proceeded in death by his late wife Nancy, Mother Helen King and Father William Lester, brothers, Robert Story, David King, Lois Curnow Prior, Mary Dawn Pearson, and Liz Rogers.

Jim is survived by his Brother's, Daniel King, Larry King and Ricky King. Daughters Leonella (Peter) Johnson, Rachael (Kermit) James, son's James (Nancy) Lester, Troy Lester, Dave Prince, Larry Prince. Grand Children, Thomas Harmon, Gabrielle Harmon, Payton Lester, Waylon LaMere, Tony Cunneen, Christina Kelly, Kaley Macumber, Brian Rotolo, Brian Fournier, Jake Fournier, and 10 great grandchildren.  Numerous nephews and nieces.  His special niece and nephew John and Helen Reynolds.  His special friend and running partner, Jim Moyle and his beautiful Black Kitty.

Thanks to Beehive Homes, Enhabit Home Health and Hospice and Dugan Dolan Mortuary for taking great care of Jim.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Special Olympics, Butte Sheltered Work shop or of the donor's choice.

Cremation has taken place.  A mass will be held Thursday August 18 ^th 2022 at 11:00 a.m. With visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 329 W. Mercury Butte, MT. A private burial will be scheduled at a later date.

Jim always told his children, "No tears at my funeral.  I have lived a great life."