James Henry Fulkerson, 84

James Henry Fulkerson, 84, passed away peacefully at home with his loving family at his side on April 3, 2013, after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

James was born on April 8, 1928, in Rexford to McHenry and Ada May Fulkerson. The family moved to Whitefish in 1937.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and married his high school sweetheart, Alice Absalonson, on Sept. 15, 1945. Together they built their home and raised four children, Marcia, Jolene, Mary Jo and Jim.

James enjoyed farming, raising horses and caring for all the animals on his small farm. He was a self-taught carpenter and built three homes from the ground up. Carpentry was one of his greatest pleasures.

He retired from the BNSF Railroad after 42 years of service. He always said his favorite job on the railroad was being a switchman. He and Alice then moved to Kalispell in 2003, where he lived until his death.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Alice; and his four children, Marcia Carper, Jolene and Steve Raybourn, Mary Jo and Dennis Gabriel, and Jim and Janet Fulkerson; as well as nine grandchildren, Alicia Shew, Trisha Eisinger, Michelle Kiehn, Julie Carper, Amanda Fisher, Brianne Gabriel-Glass, and Skyler, Rikke and Parker Fulkerson; 10 great-grandchildren. He also is survived by his brother, Art, and Wilma Fulkerson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. today, April 7, at Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 8, at Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish. Interment will follow at 2 p.m. at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Frontier Hospice, 29 Second Street East, Kalispell, MT 59901; or Christ Lutheran Church, 5150 River Lakes Parkway, Whitefish, MT 59937.

You are invited to go to www.austinfh.com to offer condolences, share memories and view James's tribute wall.

Arrangements are entrusted to Austin Funeral Home.