James Joseph Scown was born February 16th, 1928 to Gertrude and Russell Scown. He was born at their home on Anaconda Road in Butte, Montana.

As a child the family moved to Dry Cottonwood where his father mined for silver. He attended the Dry Cottonwood School as a youngster.

The family then moved back to their Anaconda Road home in Butte where Jim attended the St. Mary's School and later Butte Central Catholic High School.

Jim put aside his schooling to enter the work force to help in supporting the family by taking a job with Montana Broom and Brush and later Wilson Motors. A job that would perpetuate a passion in automobiles.

Jim served his country in the Army Corp of Engineers where he earned an honorable discharge. He would return to Butte to continue providing for his family as a miner for the Anaconda Company for 42 years.

Jim had many passions in his life with his family being at the forefront. He was known by his family to be a great provider. During mining strikes through the years he would never let his family go without.

On April 3rd, 1972 Jim would marry the love of his life, Patricia Grace Meehan. They would enjoy 45 years living in faith together. Pat stayed loyally by his side until the very end.

Jim's most well known passion was in the realm of athletics. A strong, burly man he played for Butte's semi professional football team, the Butte Buzzies, in the early 1950s. In 2005, Jim would be inducted into the Butte Sports Hall of Fame with his fellow teammates.

Jim was well known for his work in youth athletics. His coaching career began at the Washington School in 1947. He would go on to coach many sports in the elemantary schools. He spent time as Coach Scown at the Greeley, St Ann's, Whittier, and Central schools. Over the years he served as an umpire, referee, coach, and moved the chains for the Montana Tech Orediggers football games.

His most well known works in youth sports began in 1954 when he started as an umpire with Northwest Little League. He would go on to coach thousands of Butte youth leaving a lasting impression on all of those youthful minds. He then took the helm of Northwest and served as the league president from 1969 through 1996. He spent countless hours striving to turn the Anselmo Mine dump into a place for kids to enjoy America's pastime. In December of 1987 the field would see green grass laid on its surface. On April 23, 1988 the once baron mine dump, turned premier field of the west and possibly the country, would be dedicated and renamed Jim Scown Field. The joys of his time spent on that field, with all of those Butte kids, stayed with him until his final days.

In 1974, Jim would bring another dream into reality. He would bring Little League Girls' Fastpitch Softball to the Western United States. It would also be one of the first programs in the world. An accomplishment he was very proud to have done. In the late 2000s he would see Butte send a girls' fastpitch softball team to the Little League World Series.

Jim also helped start up Little League programs in the areas surrounding Butte with his insight and resourcefulness.

When Jim wasn't at the ballfield he enjoyed swimming, rides in the country, driving his Ford Model A's, shopping the Goodwill, traveling, New York Yankees baseball, and Notre Dame football.

Jim will be remembered by his family as a husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, grandfather, great grandfather, and even a great-great grandfather.

He will be remembered by thousands as a pioneer, icon, champion, and legend in youth sports. He touched thousands of lives and loved his time as a mentor.

"Heroes get remembered... Legends never die."
-The Sandlot

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Gertrude and Russell Scown; brother, William R. Scown; sister, Rita Lasky; sister, Agnes Riley.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Pat; sister, LeeAnn Stafford(Jim); close cousin, Jean Clare Sheehan; children, Michele Turner, Burke Scown (Mamie), Joe Scown(Margie), James R. Scown, John Scown, and Cheryl Scown(Bill Hanson); grandchildren, Jolie Sinks(Justin), Jason Turner, Angel Allred(Carey), Young White Buffalo Ariwite, Lynn Smith(Lyle), Bill Scown, Joey Scown, Armando Soto(Katie), Brandon Scown(Keisha), Johnna Scown(Karey), Chris Scown, Elizabeth Scown, and Alison Hill; numerous great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Also, many dear friends made in his remarkable life.

Relatives and friends may call Thursday from 11:00Am to 12 Noon in St. Ann's Church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12 noon. Rite of Committal will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the following:

Northwest Little League
C/O Brandon Scown
918 Caledonia
Butte, MT 59701

Compassus Hospice
19 Discovery Drive
Butte, MT 59701

American Red Cross
10 S. Main St.
Butte, MT 59701

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