James Putnam

James “Bruce” Putnam of Billings passed away October 10th at the age of 66 after a hard fought battle with cancer. He was surrounded by friends and family who supported him and loved him through it all. Bruce was born September 14, 1946 to James and Kathryn Putnam in Mitchell, South Dakota. He lived and attended school in Watertown and Aberdeen, South Dakota before moving to Lewistown in 1960. He loved living in Montana and enjoyed high school in Lewistown where he made many lifelong friends. Bruce attended Montana State University and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. In 1968 Bruce married his true love, Marsha Townsend. They relocated to Georgia while Bruce served in the Army Infantry in Korea and Vietnam. Upon his return to the states, Bruce and Marsha moved back to Bozeman, where Bruce completed his Master of Arts Degree in History at MSU. Bruce and Marsha had one daughter, Jodi, who is their pride and joy. The three of them moved to Billings in 1977 where Bruce accepted a position with Billings Logan International Airport as the Assistant Manager. He later became the Director of Aviation and Transit and enjoyed a long career in Billings. Bruce was proud of his many accomplishments during his tenure. His career allowed him to become a board member and National President of his professional organization, the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). Throughout his career he met many professional colleagues who became cherished personal friends. Bruce retired in 2006 and was able to do the things he loved, like spending time at their cabin in the Little Snowy Mountains, visiting his kids and grandkids, traveling to see friends and family, gardening, golfing, and fishing. So many people will remember Bruce as a “huggy bear” who loved deeply and cared so much about his friends and family. Bruce loved life. He had a delightfully playful sense of humor and he regularly tried it out on everyone. He had a great love of music and singing; anytime…anywhere. He also enjoyed playing with his grandkids, Logan and Ethan, and has taken great pride in watching them grow. Family always meant the world to Bruce and his loved ones are left with many memories of the wonderful times they spent together. Bruce is preceded in death by his mother, Kathryn Putnam, and his father-in-law, Wilbur Townsend. He is survived by his father, James Putnam, and his mother-in-law, Eleanor Townsend. He is also survived by his wife, Marsha; his daughter, Jodi Wall and her husband Steve and their sons Logan and Ethan of Battle Ground, Washington; his brothers, Tom (Carol), Steve (Brenda), Andy (Connie); and his brother-in-law Chuck Townsend (Jean); as well as several very special nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Bruce also leaves behind a multitude of friends that he loved very much as if they were family. The family of Bruce Putnam wishes to thank the numerous friends and family members who have been at their side throughout this fight, as well as the staff at Billings Clinic Cancer Center and Rocky Mountain Hospice. Your love, care, and concern have meant a great deal to all of us. A celebration of Bruce's life will be held in Billings at the Food Bank, 2112 4th Avenue N. on Saturday November 10, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, donations can be made to First Interstate Bank (3199 Grand Avenue, Billings 59102) toward a college fund for Bruce's two grandsons, or to AAAE's scholarship fund in Bruce's name.