James "Jim" C. Windorski, 66
James "Jim" C. Windorski, 66, died from liver disease Oct. 18, 2008, at Heritage Place in Kalispell. Jim was born Dec. 5, 1941, in Deerwood, Minn., to Loren and Lucille Morgan.
Jim was 3 years old when his father lost his life in World War II. Three years later his mother married Ken Windorski, who adopted Jim and his older brother Dick, and the family of four quickly added four more boys and became a family of eight.
Jim grew up in Deerwood-Crosby, Minn., but moved during his senior year to Climax, Colo., where he graduated from Max Schott High School in 1960. Jim was a gifted athlete and was the school's basketball star.
Jim enlisted in the Navy after high school to see the world, but his basketball prowess precluded that as his commander felt his skills were better used on the court. After his honorable discharge, Jim worked as a barber, an international investment representative (fulfilling his travel dreams), a car salesman, an underground copper miner and a smelter manager.
Jim graduated from the University of Arizona with bachelor's and master's degrees in science. After graduating, he held many different positions as a civil servant until eventually becoming the manager of ARCO's Anaconda Mining Company in Butte. He reluctantly oversaw the dismantling of the smelter in Anaconda, but was always proud that he helped save "the Stack."
He fell in love with Montana, especially the Flathead Valley. He resigned his position with ARCO to avoid moving from Montana. He then founded a mining reclamation business, brokered heavy equipment, owned the Seven Gables Resort on Georgetown Lake, owned the Coppertown Bar and Hotel in Anaconda, purchased various rental properties, and co-owned an office products store in Colorado.
Jim purchased Cattlemen's Casino in the early '90s and was the sole owner until retiring two years ago. He was able to sell the business to his longtime manager, his oldest son, Jeff.
Jim loved the scenery around Flathead Lake. He loved the people and their respect for the "Montana" way of life and frequently referred to this part of the country as "God's Country."
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Ken and Lucille; and two brothers, Ron and Jerry.
He is survived by his wife of 11 years, Sheree "Red"; four children, Jeff and wife, Sandra, of Lakeside, Shelbe and husband, Adam, of Kansas City, Rob and fiancee, Emily, of Lakeside, and Cheryl and husband, Kyle, of Kalispell; and three brothers, Dick and wife, Jean, and Joel and wife, Marcie, of Tucson, and Tom of Leadville, Colo. Jim also had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom will miss "Grandpa Jimmy."
His memory will forever live in those he left behind, and we can only hope that we continue to make him proud to be our father, our grandfather, and our great-grandfather.
As per his wish, there will be no services. However, he did request to have his ashes spread in "a tributary of the Pacific."