Jim F. Ault, 86

Jim F. Ault, 86, “was called home to his Lord and his beautiful daughter Christine,” on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015.

He was born on Nov. 20,1928, to Merle and Gladys (Spence) Ault in Riverside, California. His mother died when Jim was 18 months old and his dad was a professional baseball player. His great aunt and uncle in Eugene, Oregon, raised him. He went to Eugene High School and then went into the U.S. Army.

In 1949, Jim met Betty through a good friend and they were married on Jan. 14,1950, in Springfield, Oregon.

Preceding Jim in death was his daughter, Christine.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; son, J.W. and granddaughter Kim and husband Tony; great-grandson Wyatt; sister-in-law, Wanda Fleming; and several nieces and nephews.

Jim worked for Texaco for 30 years until he retired and moved to our home on Goat Trail in Happy Valley, Whitefish. He loved to fish and Montana was a great place for it!

He was a loving, caring, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend — always ready to help us. His teasing was his way of showing everyone he cared about them.

From three friends expressing their memories of Jim:

“We will always remember Jim’s warm and happy teasing. It was so much fun to be together. I love my memories.”

“I loved Jim so much, like a favorite uncle! He was always fun to be around and have many happy memories of spending time with the family as I was growing up. Those are some of the best memories I have.”

And, “Jim was a great guy and I have so many fun memories of the four of us in Eugene and Montana. The parties at your house, Password, strawberry shortcake, dances, and the home movies. They will be with me forever. As Dennis said, ‘He was a great guy.’”

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish.