With sad, sad hearts … .James (Pork) McDonald (67) died suddenly 5/24/17 ending a lifetime of service to Montana children in the fields of Special Education and Mental Health.

Jim was born 8/4/1949 and raised in Anaconda, Montana, to parents Leo and Josephine (Bechtold) McDonald. He joined older siblings, George and Mary Jo. He graduated from Anaconda Central High School in 1967, received a BA in history from Carroll College, Helena, in 1971; a MS degree in Special Education from Eastem Montana College in 197 6; Educational Administration certificates for Special Education and Superintendent from The University of Montana.

Jim's professional career in education and mental health spanned 40 years. His first teaching position was in Butte School District #1 at McKinley School (6th grade). After three years in Butte, Jim moved to Billings for graduate school, and then taught elementary special education there for two years. When Jim was delivering surplus text books to Warm Springs State Hospital for the new Children's Unit, his professional destiny was determined when he met the unit's developer, social worker John Richard "Dick" Rosenleaf, also an Anaconda native. "Twin brothers from different mothers" in terms of treatment philosophy and overall approach to life -- "the situation's hopeless but not serious"; their partnership and friendship lasted until Dick's passing in 2011. Jim worked on the Children's Unit as the Education Director with other dedicated team members for nine years. When the unit was relocated to Billings, Jim remained at WSSH (now MSH) as the Education Director for the adult programs. It was here that he learned about the value of "team" in the treatment of emotionally disturbed children, the fundamental concept he took to future programs he would develop and supervise. When the unit was relocated to Billings, Jim remained at WSSH as the Education Director for the adult programs.

In 1987, Jim was part of a team of professionals recruited by Shodair Children's Hospital in Helena to start a multi-disciplinary in-patient psychiatric program for seriously emotionally disturbed children. After three years at Shodair, Jim did some educational consulting with OPI. Then, in 1990 Jim was hired by AWARE Inc. of Anaconda to develop and supervise their iirst 4 group homes in Butte for SED children. The success of this program resulted in significant expansion of AWARE group homes throughout Montana. Jim supervised this program for 10 years. In 2000, the Great Divide Educational Services Coop, based in Deer Lodge, hired Jim to direct and supervise special education services in 22 rural settings. After 12 years in this position, Jim was able to retire and not drive 30,000 scenic miles each year.

Throughout his extensive 40 year career in the educational field, Jim was a well respected professional in the state of Montana and in 2012 received a Special Education Lifetime Achievement Award (Montana Council of Exceptional Children) and a Distinguished Service Award (Montana Coimcil of Administrators of Special Education).

Jim and Janet Lindh were married in 1986, "his first and last wife." He was on the Butte Archives Board (and weekly volunteer), and volunteered for the National/Montana Folk Festival each year. He was one of the Grand Marshalls in the 2007 St. Patrick's Day Parade (with other class action water suit plaintiffs). In 2001, Monte, the Grizzly Mascot, won mascot of the year award, presented at a UM basketball game. Following this event, Jim won the Grizzly fan of the Year Prize when Monte was able to sink a basket from the half-court line, blindfolded, with his back to the basket, on the seventh try of 101 He joined the hole-in-one club 7/21/09 on Fairmont #3. Jim was a life long New York Yankees and Oakland Raiders fan. He enjoyed Grizzly football, golf, travel, live music (especially the blues), and knew how to have fun!

Jim's survivors include his wife Janet of Butte; his brother George of Henderson, NV; his sister, Sister Mary Jo of Butte, sister-in-law Chantal Lindh of New York City; nieces and their families, Joni and Chris Ross Olarper Lee and Finley Kay) of Henderson, NV, Julie Gallagher of Henderson, NV, nephew and his family, Tolliverand Lita Hart (Javier) of Pasadena, CA. Jim also leaves behind many friends, co-workers, and children and young adults who were fortimate to have him in their lives. All appreciated what a special loving force he was and will miss his kindness, generosity, guidance, humor, wit, opinions, and loyalty.

Visitation will be Tuesday night, 5/30/17 from 5:00-7:00 PM at St Ann's Catholic Church. Wednesday, 5/31/17, visitation will be 9:00 - 1l:00 am. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ll:00 am in the Church. ln lieu of flowers, Jim's charities of choice include; Butte Public Archives, Butte Food Bank, and the Grizzly Scholarship Association.