James "Jim" Waddell

James "Jim" Edward Waddell, age 79, of Glendive, Montana passed away on Sunday, August 7, 2016 at his home in Glendive. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, August 12, 2016 at Zion Lutheran Church in Glendive with Pastor Will Johnson officiating. Interment will be held Friday afternoon at the family ranch near Miles City, Montana. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. Jim was born on August 16, 1936 in Indiahoma, Oklahoma, the oldest child of George and Ella Fay. In the spring of 1937 the family moved to Glendive, in 1938 a second son, Kelly was born there. Then in 1940, George bought a barber shop in Columbus, Montana, and they lived there for three years until George was drafted into the Navy. The next three years were spent in Idaho. After the war, the family moved to Miles City where George bought a ranch east of town. Jim graduated from Custer County High School in 1954. Jim worked for a seismograph crew during the summer between his sophomore and junior year in school to earn money to go to barber school the next summer, he went to barber college in Yakima, Washington. Then worked after school and on Saturdays during his senior year to serve his apprenticeship, and became the youngest Master Barber in Montana history at the age of 18. On July 2, 1956 Jim was married to Arlene Davidson at the First Lutheran Church in Miles City. Three children and fourteen years later she left for what she considered greener pastures. Jim was broken hearted for a while, but time heals all wounds. Six years later, Jim found the lady who would be his soul mate for life. He and Dianna (Hobill) McBride were married on May 22, 1976, also at the First Lutheran Church in Miles City. Jim considered it to be Heaven on earth, he not only got a wonderful woman but two more children. God and family are the most important things a person can have. Love is the most important word in the dictionary. Jim joined the National Guard in April of 1954 and put in twelve years. In 1966 he transferred to the Navy Reserve and put in another ten years, then retired in 1976 as a Chief Petty Officer. Jim was also elected Justice of the Peace, and served for eight years, from 1964 thru 1972. Jim cut hair for eighteen years, then in 1971 he switched careers and went to work in train service for the Milwaukee Railroad, but when the handwriting was on the wall, along with six more of his fellow trainman, on August 18, 1978 he went to Glendive and hired out on the Burlington Northern. Jim retired from the railroad after 25 years in 1996. It is well known that Jim was a sports fanatic. He started going to Major League Baseball games when he was fourteen years old, and chased them right up to the end. He was the first fan to see every team play every team both at home and on the road. A total of 1,243 Major League games, including five trips to the World Series, 1965, 1987, 1991, 2007 and 2008. Jim was also into most other professional sports, a season ticket holder for twenty-two years of the Denver Broncos, he saw 101 pro football games, that included three Super Bowls, 1986, 1991 and 1993, however the only sport Jim excelled at was bowling, and is a member of Miles City's Bowling Hall of Fame. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brother. He leaves his beloved wife Dianna of the family home in Glendive; five children, Scott of Seattle, Washington, Kimberly and her husband Eddie Castillo of Kenai, Alaska, Corey and his wife Kitty of Hubert, North Carolina, Ron McBride of Athens, Alabama and Terri and her husband Dennis Schock of Billings, Montana; seven grandchildren, Mandi Castillo, Christopher Castillo, Matthew Waddell, Shelby Waddell, Shantel Broadhead, Jonelle Schock and Kaitlyn McBride; also four great-grandchildren, MacCoy, Abbie, Jaycie and Riel; and three childhood buddies, Gary Marks of Lewistown, Montana, Duane Strohmayer of Miles City and Jay Hendry of Huntley, Montana. Jim always greeted people with "How's it going Kid?," no matter their age, thirty years younger or thirty years older. Some would reply with "Not bad, Dad," and for those who questioned his choice of greetings, Jim would reply, "We are all God's Children." I leave this earth gladly and willingly to be with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My body is of no consequence, it's my soul that counts. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested in Jim's name to the Sagebrush Alley Senior Center in Glendive or a Youth Baseball program in Glendive (ABC Baseball, Glendive Babe Ruth or Glendive American Legion). Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

James "Jim" Waddell

August 16, 1936 - August 7, 2016

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James "Jim" Waddell

August 16, 1936 - August 7, 2016

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support