James Oblander

James Allan Oblander, 49, passed away Friday, December 6. Jimmy was born March 31, 1964, to Jim and Sharon Oblander in Billings, Montana. He attended Meadowlark, Will James, and graduated from Billings West High School in 1982. He was “that guy” in high school. The guy everyone loved to be around because of his large humor, easy laughter, and perpetual “ready for the next good time” attitude. So much so that his circle of friends from high school remained his circle of friends throughout the remainder of his life, only to be made richer over the years with the addition of their wives and children. He looked up to his only sister, Vickie Lynn, especially during their youth, and held her in the highest esteem. The ongoing joke between them is that she was known only as “Jimmy's sister.” Hands down, his favorite activity was golfing with his Dad in the annual Jamboree tournament in Laurel, where recently his scores placed him in the Derby. He always picked his mother up for family events and enjoyed ribbing her whenever he found a window. For Jimmy, there was no other cookin' like his mother's cookin'. Jimmy began working at Automatic Vending Services at the age of 18 and continued his employment there for 31 years. There, he formed an indelible bond with his boss Randy Tuhy and his Aunt Debbie Kroll and relied on them and their life guidance almost as much as he did his own parents. Over the years of his employment with AVS, he built friendships across Billings within every business he entered. Jimmy never walked into a room in this town without at least half the crowd knowing who he was. Jimmy began his life with Cass and her daughter Holly in 1993. He spent many summer days playing catch with Holly in the front yard and winter days playing video games (pretending it was only because she liked them). He took her in as his own and loved her with all his heart. In December of 1995, their son, James Patrick, joined the family and his birth was by far Jimmy's proudest moment. He was his son's biggest fan and took every play James made to heart, whether on the baseball or football field. Lately they enjoyed watching football together at CJs and Jimmy was looking forward to taking James to “throw in his first five” after his 18th birthday. Delaney Arlene came into this world in February of 2002 to complete Jim and Cass' family and she was the apple of her Daddy's eye. She pushed every button he had yet he was never able to hold back his laugh (although most often it came later), no matter what unpredictable antic happened next. She kept him wrapped around her finger and he was happy to stay there. In March of 2010, his union with Cass ended and within little time, a new friendship was born. They attended every one of their children's functions together and lived to sit side by side in the stands or audience, cheering on the family that filled their hearts with pride. Jimmy was an avid golfer and his game paced his passion. He played with the same golf team at Lake Hills for more than two decades. It is difficult to find another way to express it except to say Jimmy was remarkably human. What you saw was what you got. He had a quick, cynical wit that would split your sides, an even quicker temper, and a heart the size of Texas. He maintained a “good ol' boy” approach to life and within his family relationships. He was the first to crack an inappropriate joke or leave the room if feelings were being discussed, yet no one in his life ever second guessed his love. If Jimmy Oblander loved you, you knew it. Jimmy is survived by his mother, Sharon Oblander, his father and step-mother, Jim and Patty Oblander, his sister and her husband, Vickie and Terry Narum, and their children, Karli and Kegan, two step sisters and their husbands, Toni and Frank Kramer and Terri and Mike O'Brien, his ex-wife Cassandra Sullivan, bonus daughter Holly Wigen, son James, daughter Delaney, and his beloved dog, Bogey. He is also survived by his aunts and uncles Frank Pirtz, Bob and Collette Todd, Frank and Debbie Kroll, Jerry and Dolly Oblander, and Evelyn Oblander, his in-laws J. Patrick and Connie Sullivan, and many cousins who he considered siblings. Jimmy was preceded in death by his maternal Grandparents Frank and Arline DuVal, paternal grandparents Ed and Alvina Oblander, his Uncle Richard DuVal, Uncle Allan Oblander, Aunt Sandy Pirtz, cousin John DuVal, and baby cousin Parker Haskins . We are so grateful for your life and your love, Jimmy. Your smile will remain imprinted on our hearts for the rest of our lives. “Who can make the sun shine? The candy man can.” A Memorial Mass will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 12th, 2013 at St. Pius Catholic Church. There will be a reception at Smitty's following the service. A private family interment will take place at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com. Visitation: at Dahl Funeral Chapels Visitation: at Dahl Funeral Chapels Service: at St. Pius X