James David "Dave" Jorgensen, 87

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of James David “Dave” Jorgensen, 87, on Nov. 16, 2023.

He was born on Oct. 9, 1936, in Kalispell, as the third child and only son of James and Barbara “Hartman” Jorgensen. He was raised in Lower Valley on a farm by his parents and grandparents. He grew up with his two older sisters, Eileen and Marilyn.

When Dave was young the family of five moved to Hobbs, New Mexico, so his dad could find work as a heavy equipment operator on a military base. In 1945, when the military tested the first nuclear bomb, Dave remembered that it blew the windows out of their house miles away. In 1950, the family moved back to the Flathead Valley. Both of Dave’s parents found employment in Glacier National Park. There Dave at a young age would be dropped off at the top of Going To The Sun road with a fishing pole and a bicycle and was told to catch dinner on his way back to camp.

Over the years Dave wore many hats, as “bear patrol,” in the park, where it was his job to keep bears away from camp where his mother was a cook. To staff sergeant in the military, boy scout leader, road surveyor, heavy equipment operator, crane operator, mechanic and he worked for Pacific Steel and Recycling for 25 years before retiring in 1998.

But the hat Dave wore the longest and proudest, was that of a friend. He loved meeting new people as well as staying in touch with current friends. With his kind, caring and compassionate personality once you met him, you were friends for life. Then he would memorize you with stories of his youth hijinks and larger than life adventures.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Barbara. 

He will be forever missed by the ones he left behind including his sisters, Eileen and Marilyn; his loving wife, Lorraine (Dixie); his step-children that he loved as his own, Connie (Jim) Jones, Laurie (Wayne) Bouley, Lorin (Becky) Turner, Bob (Gina) Turner, Terri (Mick) Ogle and Steve Foley; as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dave was very mischievous and found himself in many jaw dropping and hilarious situations in his lifetime. There will be a memorial in the spring to be announced soon. We would love all that knew Dave to attend and maybe bring a story of your own about this great man.