James Soft

James C. Soft, (Jim) age 78 of Billings, Montana, went to be with His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the morning of October 29, 2024. Jim was born on July 24, 1946, in Williston, North Dakota, a son of Bernard and Clara (Graber) Soft. He was the youngest of three brothers and grew up in Richey, Montana.

Jim was incredibly athletic and excelled in basketball, football, and track and field in high school. In January of 2005, he was inducted into the 10th Annual Montana High School Association Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a rebounding machine, averaging 20 rebounds per game during high school. His basketball talent earned him one of the first full-ride basketball scholarships offered at Eastern Montana College. His collegiate career was a prestigious one, an All-American twice (1966 and 1967) and All-Frontier Conference three times and was named MVP of the league in 1968. While at EMC, he set season and career rebounding records and currently is the Yellowjackets third all-time leading scorer. In 1994 James was inducted into the Eastern Montana College Athletic Hall of Fame and Distinction and his #50 jersey was retired. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1968 from EMC. He holds a Certified Financial Planner Designation and a Master of Science degree. He also has a Master of Arts from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is a four-time published author. After college he went to play for Athletes in Action, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.

On August 23, 1968, Jim married the love of his life, Linda Jo Schneider at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Billings. They resided in Billings with their 2 children, Max and Brook.

Jim's life work was dedicated to the mission and the kids of Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch. Jim began working at the Foundation office in 1972 and worked there for over 50 years. He is well known for his work in the charitable sector and his expertise in financial and estate planning and often educates other professionals locally and nationally on planned giving principles. He was instrumental in getting the Montana Tax Credit through legislation. Jim served as a board member of the American Council on Gift Annuities and was also a former director of the Montana Nonprofit Association. In addition, he is the principal of James C. Soft and Associates Consulting.

In 1969, Jim surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. From that point forward, his faith was the driving factor in his life. He and Linda were original and active members of Faith Evangelical Church where he led the youth group and directed an 80-member church choir and taught an adult Sunday School class of over 100 people. In addition, he led several small group Bible studies in their home and facilitated several group trips to Israel. He was tenacious about sharing his faith and his life exemplified his love for the Lord. He was infamous for ending all conversations with his children and grandchildren by saying “I love you. Stay close to Jesus.”

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Clara Soft and his brother Roland “Hans” Soft.

Jim is survived by his wife of 56 years, Linda, their two children Max Soft of Billings, Montana, Brook (Larry) White of Richland, Missouri; his brother Loren (Janice) Soft of Billings, Montana; grandchildren Edmond James “EJ” Soft of Gainesville, Florida, Konnar (fiancé Hannah Hayes) of Billings, Montana and Aubree Soft of Billings, Montana.

Funeral services will be held at Faith Evangelical Church, 3145 Sweetwater Drive, Billings, on Monday, November 4th at 10am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jim's name can be made to the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation.