James Turcotte

A light in this world has gone home to God after gracing so many with his love and presence. James “Jim” Edward Turcotte passed away due to complications from COVID at St Vincent's Hospital in Billings, Montana on February 5, 2022, a few weeks before his 79th birthday. Jim spent nearly all of his life in Montana, enjoying a few years in Mesa, Arizona where he explored a bit of sunshine in his retirement before recently returning home to Big Sky country. Many of Jim's younger years were spent assisting his father at the family grocery store in Columbus, Montana, and then later in Billings. Having lost his mother during his teen years, Jim took on a more important role in the lives of his siblings. Along with encouraging adventures in the outdoors and on bicycles, Jim later passed along his mother's driving techniques to his younger brother, one of which was the lesson to “power into the curves” in the road. With his early experiences in driving being behind the wheel of a 1957 Ford Station Wagon built to Texas Ranger specifications that had been accidentally sold to his father with 2 4bbl Carbs on a 312 engine, Jim learned the skills to drive at an early age in a car so fast that nobody in Stillwater County could catch it, including the country sheriff who made Ed Turcotte register the car with the county. Jim was one to always look for new outdoor activities one of which was skiing with his kids and helping them learn to ski: he readily shared his love of the outdoors with others.

As a result of Jim's innate curiosity and intelligence, his career spanned a wide variety of sectors. After graduating from grade school in Columbus, he spent a few years in high school in Missoula, later graduating from Central High School in Billings where he took the state record for the mile run, which stood for several years. Jim attended both Carroll College and then-Eastern Montana College, graduating in Business and accounting. Using his innate people skills and ready smile, Jim worked several jobs in his life including being a bartender for the fun of it, later adding wings to his driving skills as he earned his commercial and instructor pilot licenses. Jim worked as a charter pilot and flight instructor for Morrison Flying Service in Helena, Montana. The next phase of his career was with the public retirement system as the assistant administrator, and from there to finance and money management where he became a stockbroker and financial adviser until his retirement 5 years ago. In his spare time, he loved to fly electric model planes (they were more reliable than gas, he used to say) and shared his love of Christmas with his neighbors by lighting luminarias in front of each home. A devout Catholic, Jim was a member of Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Helena and upon his recent move back to Billings, the Mary Queen of Peace Church, where he attended mass daily. His devotion began every morning in his private way of prayer, wishing for more peace and love in the world.

His favorite times were spent with his grandchildren, and when he wasn't with them, Jim continued to live his life fully in his retirement, traveling in his fifth wheel to visit family and to occasionally find warmer weather. Among his many hobbies and interests were boating at Canyon Ferry, fishing, water skiing, woodworking and sharing his love of the Catholic faith. It is impossible to count the number of beautiful wooden pens he made for family and friends, and even more pictures of the blessed Mother Mary he framed and shared with fellow parishioners and people who maybe just needed a little more love in their life. The laugh-lines around his eyes were an instant give away to the ready smile and laughter that inevitably followed his greetings -- a consistent overflow of happiness from his light-hearted and joyful soul that he readily shared with the word. Jim was a man with a good joke on hand for every occasion and would light up any group fortunate enough to enjoy a moment of his time. His humor, stories, and laughter will live on in the happy memory of the many who love him.

He rests in peace, having joined his beloved, beautiful wife of 40 years Carolyn Gordon Turcotte, his parents Edward and Alice (Hippe) Turcotte, stepmother Ruth Turcotte; sons Wayne and Raymond, daughters Mischele and Holly, and his uncle Dr. Raymond Turcotte, DVM. Jim is survived and missed greatly by his daughter Teresa Vulk and son Dave Gordon; 7 grandchildren Jesse, James, Jacob, Katie, Crystal, Sara, Kalie; 10 great-grandchildren Payton, Dannika, Avalyn, Aizley, Eirelynn, Matteo, Elliana, Lillee, Gene, and Marlee; his younger siblings John, Joan, and Judy; 7 nieces and nephews Elise, Stacy, Andrea, O'Ryan, Kellee, Stephanie and Angie; and 11 great-nieces and nephews Caroline, Carmella, William, Jane, Jack, Charlie, Millie, Sienna, Ainsley, Savannah, and Bodee.

The funeral and celebration of his life will be held by the family in Helena. He will be laid to rest in Helena, Montana next to his wife Carolyn. On February 23, 2022, a viewing will take place at 9:00 am with a rosary at 9:30 am, followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 am at Our Lady of the Valley, 1502 Shirley Road, Helena, MT 59602, with a reception to follow at the church.

Those who cannot attend in person are encouraged to join us in spirit for the rosary and the live stream WILL BEGIN APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE FUNERAL WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR 11:00 am. LIVE STREAM LOGIN IS OLVMT.ORG. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to Our Lady of the Valley church, Helena, Montana, Mary Queen of Peace Church Billings, Montana, or the charity of your choice. The family wishes to thank Father Jose as well as the staff at Saint Vincent Hospital in Billings for their dedication and care during Jim's illness.