James Anthony Kiley, 93

James “Jim” Kiley, 93, loving father, husband, friend and physician, died on Aug. 21, 2019, in Portland, Oregon, after a long illness. He was a family physician in Kalispell from 1972 until his retirement 15 years ago.

A private memorial ceremony will be held on Saturday, Sept.14, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery, followed by a joyous “Celebration of Life” for all at Buffalo Hill Golf Course Clubhouse starting at 5 p.m. Jim’s favorite beer (Dump Truck) will be available in abundance. In lieu of gifts, flowers or donations, please honor Jim with your presence and bring any stories or remembrances. He wanted a happy send-off with wonderful friends, a good laugh and a hearty toast.

Born in Buffalo, New York, Jim graduated from Canisius High School, and then enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17. After serving through the end on the war, he attended William and Mary College in Virginia, graduating with a degree in business. He worked for a few years in Charlotte, North Carolina, then obtained a Master in Business Administration (MBA) degree at the University of North Carolina. During this time he met his future wife, Anne English, and they were married on Sept. 6, 1952. He then enrolled in and obtained his M.D. degree from the University of North Carolina, graduating in 1958. He and Anne, with their three children, moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, for internship and then on to Manistee, Michigan, to begin his medical career in family practice. He served on the school board and Church Advisory Committee and was instrumental in opening a new Catholic junior and senior high school in Manistee. In 1967, he and Anne, with their seven children, moved to Petoskey, Michigan, where, in addition to practicing full time, he coached the high school ski team and worked diligently on Proposition C, to allow state funding for parochial schools.

In 1972, after hearing about the wonders of Montana from an old rancher in Winter Park, Colorado, Jim and Anne, with their eight children, left Michigan, including his busy medical practice, and moved west to Kalispell. They moved into a wonderful home on Woodland Avenue, where they both lived happily thereafter for nearly half a century.

After retiring, Jim and Anne spent many winters in La Paz, Mexico. There they made many new friends, played tennis and watched closely for the “green flash” as the sun set on the Gulf of California. For the last 10 years, as age started to take its toll, they began wintering in the Sacramento, California, area to be closer to their children. Jim remained active in tennis, and even took up pickleball. After his illnesses prevented him from playing, he’d often come out to watch friends and family play.

Jim, with Anne, were most proud of their children and extended family. They both loved hosting and entertaining the kids, their families and friends during the wonderful Montana summers and very much looked forward to and enjoyed their biennial family reunions. They lived near two of their children during the winters and visited the others often. After losing Anne, his wife of 65 years in April of 2018, and despite his failing health, he was able to spend the last few months of his life “home” in Kalispell.

Jim loved Montana! He was active in the Flathead Valley Medical Society and built a thriving practice in the Medical Arts Building next to Kalispell Regional Hospital. He served as a director on the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana governing board for many years and remained involved in hospital politics until shortly before his death. He was active in his church, St. Matthew’s, and read the gospel at services regularly. He was an avid tennis player and enthusiast, loved skiing and golf and, of course, rarely missed his daily beer. He had a wonderful group of friends and colleagues, and was comforted by their frequent visits during the last months of his life. He and Anne also held a special place in their heart for their friends, Dana “Sodie” and Keith Soderstrom, who were like “family,” and played a major part of their lives from almost the first day of Jim and Anne’s arrival in the Flathead.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.

Jim was preceded in death by Anne, his wife of 65 years, sister Margaret (88), and many good friends; and is survived by his eight children, Jim (Shari), Mike, Kathy Bobadilla, Dan, Mary Ann Moe (Steve), Tom (Lisa), Tim (Susan) and Kate Monahan; his 14 grandchildren, Brian (Christie), Kevin, Bradley, Shannon, Enrique Bobadilla, Nick Bobadilla, Monica Bobadilla, Zach, Josh, Nicole, Austin Moe, Jessica Galbraith, Jake Monahan and Kiley Monahan; and two great-grandchildren, Matthew and Joey.