James (Jim) Donald Norton passed away peacefully in the presence of his three children: Kara Brown, Heather Hock, and Dustin Knievel on September 16, 2026. It would not be incorrect to say that heaven gained one of the best.

He was born on May 2, 1950 in Butte, Montana to Ruth and Dan Norton. Jim was an avid lover of sports and had lifelong loyalties to the Butte High Bulldogs, University of Montana Grizzlies, North Carolina Tar Heels, Louisiana State Tigers, Boston Red Sox, and Kansas City Chiefs. He fulfilled his dream of seeing all of those teams when they had the home field advantage. He was giddy when introducing his kids to the experience of attending a Southeastern Conference game - the tailgating and everything that Baton Rouge has to offer. Our father’s love of sports ran deep as he spent decades umpiring softball, playing softball in the city league, and refereeing high school football.

Jim loved his animals. Any dog that wound up in Jim’s care won the lottery - Hombre, Jesse, Callie, Riley, and Max. They always sat next to him in the front seat of his truck and leaned into him as they drove. Sometimes even being confused for a new girlfriend.

Jim’s kindness extended far beyond animals. He excelled at keeping in touch with those he cared about and remembering the details of their lives. He had many lifelong friendships that he treasured. He was part-owner in Butte Oxygen for years and he was known for delivering oxygen to patients with kindness and compassion. Jim was quick to help a friend or loved one in need.

He embraced life and was always up for an adventure. Whether a night on the town, dinner at Lydia’s, seeing the Rolling Stones in Vancouver, or a family trip to Ireland, a road trip, Jim was in. He did it all with his trademark sense of humor, a smile, and a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

He was a loving father who was fiercely proud of his children and their accomplishments. We knew nothing but his love and support for all the things we accomplished. We all talked to him regularly without fail. It will be hard to fill the chasm that is left behind in his absence. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Dan Norton, his brother Daniel Norton and sister Kathleen Keene; and life-long friends Tim Nadeau, Dan Brown, John Vukovich, and JR Rohan. He is survived by his sister, Shannon Reighard, son, Dustin Knievel, daughters Kara Brown and Heather Hock, and son-in-laws Leon Brown and Greg Webster, granddaughters Josie and Lyla Brown, nieces and nephews, Jackie Keene, Sarah Byars, Keith Keene, Tina Norton, Michelle Norton, Chris Norton, Shawn Reighard, Trisha Reighard, and Deena Reighard; and his former wives, Linda Picard and Jolene Rohan who was also a life-long best friend.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Carmie McGeever for being the primary caretaker the last few months of Jim’s life. We also express our thanks to Dr. David Chamberlain and the staff at Mercury Street Medical, Compasis Home Health, and Honeybee Hospice specifically Julie Tresidder who was nothing but compassionate after our father had passed. Services will be held on September 23, 2026 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 2100 Farragut Avenue, Butte, MT 59701. 10:00 am will be an open casket viewing. 11:00 am will be the closed casket farewell service/mass.

Reception will follow at the McQueen Club, 3250 Hecla, Butte, MT 59701

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to: Butte Humane Society, Butte Athletic Council, Montana Gaelic Cultural Society, or Grizzly Athletics