James P. Knutson, 75
James P. Knutson, 75, of Polson died Feb. 20, 2006, of brain cancer at Life Care Center of Yuma, Ariz. He was born to John A. and Pauline (Rau) Knutson on Aug. 11, 1930, at Shelby. The family moved to Polson to a farm out in Valley View, where they were living at the time of his mother's death in January 1934. Jim, the oldest of three children, was raised by his grandparents, Pete and Mary Rau, in Lost Prairie.
After high school, Jim returned to Polson and lived with his father and sister, Mary. He worked with his father as an apprentice carpenter around Polson and Missoula. Polson was where he had known his beloved wife, Lois, since they were small children.
Jim joined the Navy on Aug. 8, 1950, and was later sent to the Great Lakes Training Center to go to machinist school. This was in Waukegan, Ill., so Lois went out there and a justice of the peace married them. Jim served aboard the USS Point Cruz and went to Korea where he took part in Operation Platform. They brought back a baby who had been found by a sailor on shore pass. A movie, '1,000 Men and a Baby,' was made about this. Jim was discharged June 7, 1954.
They returned to Valley View to farm, starting with 500 head of old ewes. They lived there until their home burned on June 22, 1961. Jim's lifelong dream had always been to go to Alaska. So after their home burned, they felt this was a good time to go as they didn't have to decide what to take with them. All they had left were five children and a toy cocker spaniel. They sold their farm and away they went, with Jim's brother, Bill, going with them.
Jim loved to fish, hunt and dig razor clams in Alaska. He worked as a carpenter all across the state. He also worked on Amchitka Island, where atomic bomb testing was done. He figured this could be what caused his cancer.
In 1974, they sold their place in Alaska and moved back to Polson. In 1977, they bought Lois' parent's ranch, which they called the Bailey Ranch. They still have it, though Jim was unable to help for several years. His son Jeff runs the ranch and has worked there for about 29 years.
They did a lot of traveling over the years and ended up in Yuma in 1985, and spent every winter there but one. Jim loved going to Yuma and the warm weather. The cold never bothered him until after he had chemo in 1999, for his first brain cancer. He had a long haul with the after effects of cancer but went to be with 'our Loving Father' on Feb. 20 (Jim's father's birthday), at Life Care Center of Yuma.
Jim was preceded in death by his three sons, L. Harlan, Rodney, and Larry H.; his grandson, Dusty Ely; his parents, John and Pauline Knutson; in-laws, Art and Blanche Bailey; sister-in-law, Doris Jennison; and three brothers-in-law, Art 'Sonny' Bailey, Johny Cook, and Chuck Jennison.
Jim and Lois had six children of whom only three still are living, Patricia Ely and Jeff and Kathy Knutson of Polson, and Suzie and Earl Owens of Shoreline, Wash. Other survivors are grandchildren, Dustin and Zimmie Knutson, Amber Knutson and Bucky Cheff, David Ely of Kalispell, Krista Hickey of Shoreline, and Misty and Donald Smith of Phoenix; five great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters; sister, Mary and Red Carr; brother Bill and Mary Knutson of Wasilla, Alaska; aunt, Ida Knutson, of Whitefish; sisters-in-law, JoAnne and Bert Finch, of Polson and Yuma, Sally Cook of Ronan, and Sheila Bailey of Sedro Woolley, Wash.; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. 'We'll all miss his smiling face. Rest in peace, my love.'
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 24, at the Polson Community Church, with the Rev. Richard Widerholdt officiating.