James Michael 'Mike' Ghrames, 80

James Michael Ghrames “Mike,” aka “Little Moose,” was born Feb. 20, 1941, in Port Angeles, Washington, to Bertha Rae and William Joseph Ghrames.

He passed peacefully as he slept the night of Aug. 12/morning of Aug. 13, 2021, knowing that his daughter Michelle and her husband Garry were on their way home to Montana to live and care for him. He was content with the fact that upon their arrival, all of his kids would live nearby once again. After graduating in 1959 from Mount Si High School in North Bend, Washington, he worked for his father’s construction company for a short time before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. Mike’s career in the military brought him to Kalispell, where he met Beverley Jean Meyer during her time working at Norms News in 1961. They soon married at Bethlehem Lutheran in Kalispell the fall of 1962.

They moved around a few times while Mike completed basic training in Mississippi, after which they settled for a time in Neah Bay, Washington. Mike and Bev welcomed their first of two daughters (Kelley Marie) in 1967, along with their second daughter Michelle Annette, joining the family in 1972.

His career in the Air Force led him to various destinations, including three tours in Asia during the Vietnam War. Afterwards, they traveled as a family to Wiesbaden, Germany, where they spent just over two years and had some wonderful adventures. Traveling through Austria, camping in Italy, Volksmarching in Germany, earning a vast array of medals, and time spent in Munich, where he learned the true meaning of Oktoberfest. (Prost!)

Mike and Bev spent 29 beautiful years together settling in Lakeside and later in Kalispell where they bought the house the girls would grow up in. Mike retired from the USAF after 21 years, as a master sergeant in the fall of 1980, shortly after moving into their home in Kalispell. He was a member/officer at the Kalispell Moose Lodge 1922 for several years where they enjoyed different lodge events with the community and “toddy” time with great friends.

His second career, lasting nearly 30 years, before his retirement the end of 2007 was with the U.S. Postal Service. He made many lasting connections throughout his time there. After the passing of Bev, he connected with and later married Holly Pennington July 2, 1993, merging their children together as a family. He was a very giving, thoughtful and generous man who was blessed to have two great love stories with two incredible women. Mike’s humorous side kept us all on our toes; convincing each of us, at some point, to walk out to get his “mail” from the box ... on a holiday. We all fell for it and he always got a good chuckle watching. Mike and Holly had many adventures after the kids were grown; trips to Mexico for fun in the sun, and many of what we would call “glamping” trips to Glacier Park, after graduating from their pop-up tent trailer to a “roomy” fifth wheel trailer. They also enjoyed digging for sapphires at a couple locations (mines) in Montana; even riding motorcycles together for a brief period of time.

He was preceded in death by his mother (Bertha Rae) in 1979, his father (William Joseph) in 1980, grandson Nathaniel Jay in 1987, his wife Bev in 1992, his brother, Big Pat “Moose” Ghrames in 2006, and his wife Holly in 2010.

He is survived by his Yorkie Bear (15), his first “little” dog with a “big attitude”; daughter Kelley Ghrames (Rob Fox) of Libby; daughter Michelle Jefferson (Garry) of Kalispell; stepson Tom Jurgens “TJ” of Belgrade; stepdaughter Chelsea Rowe (Jeff Kikendall) of Kalispell; granddaughter Ashlynn Mongan (Wyatt) and great-grandson Taylor of Libby; granddaughter Kristin Eby (Joe) and great-grandsons Jace, Wesley and Wiley, all of Libby; nephews and nieces in Michigan; sister in-law and brother in-law Jaye and Dick Vollmer of Selah, Washington; sister in-law Pati Pennington of Kalispell; nieces Kaci Yachechak-Gibbs (Matt) of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Ginjer Yachechak of Whitefish; numerous military buddies, friends, and acquaintances from all over the world.

A celebration of Mike’s Life will be held at the Kalispell Moose Lodge 1922 on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Veterans Pantry in Kalispell or bring your best and most memorable experiences with Mike to his celebration to share with his family and all who knew him.

Sleep peacefully Dad, and continue to give your guidance to us all. Life is the journey not just the destination.