James A. Cranmer, 90

James A. Cranmer, 90, of Great Falls, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, at a local care facility.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home. A celebration of his life and burial of ashes will be held in the Flathead Valley in the spring. Details to be announced at a later date.

James, or “Jim” as he was known to friends and family, was born on Aug. 9, 1926 in Eureka to Porter R. and Jeannetta (Nelson) Cranmer, who later divorced. He was raised in the Whitefish area by his grandparents, Fred and Bertha Nelson, and was known as Jimmie Nelson in those days. He attended schools in Whitefish.

He met and married the love of his life, Violet V. Wilson, on May 18, 1950, in Kalispell. They had three daughters.

In his early years, Jim worked as a mechanic in his grandfather’s garage, and in sawmill operations. He later became an accountant after attending Business College in Missoula. The family moved to Great Falls in 1966, and remained there until the early 1970s when he relocated to Lincoln. After several years of living and post-cutting in the Lincoln area, they returned to the Flathead Valley in the mid-1980s.

Jim always loved music, and played several different instruments including the guitar, mandolin and harmonica – as well as the organ. In his retirement years, he spent many happy hours every day singing and playing. Sometimes it was for others, sometimes just for Violet. He often sang and played at family gatherings, as well as for the socials held at the senior living apartments in Kalispell where he and Violet resided for a number of years. He recorded many songs onto cassettes over the years – mostly gospel, ballads and cowboy songs.

He is survived by his wife, Violet Cranmer, of Great Falls; daughters, Dora (Steve) White of Great Falls, Grace (Charles) of LaGrange, Georgia, and Ruth Baker of Lincoln; sister, Sherry Caverly, of Bigfork; cousin, Fred Nelson, of Missoula; eight grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Iven “Butch” Cranmer, sisters Maxine Nelson, Rayola Lancaster, baby sister Gladys, adopted sister Betty Nathe, and granddaughter Amanda Baker.

Jim was also a man of faith, a kind and gentle soul. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.