James (Jim) Wendell Corbett
On Thursday June 17th, 2021, at 1:30pm Jim passed into Heaven from Cedar Wood Villa in Red Lodge, Montana. Jim was 80 years old.
Jim Corbett was born in Kalispell, Montana on July 21, 1940, he was the second living son of Irene (Diseth) and Charles Corbett of Coram, Montana.
Jim was baptized in November of 1941 at the First Presbyterian Church in Coram, Montana. Jim was raised in the Coram area and graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1958. He was immensely proud of his 1932 Ford coupe that he had in high school- it was a royal blue color. He then enrolled in college at Northern Montana College in Havre Montana in the Engineering program. Tragedy struck on December 17, 1958, when his father died at the age of 48. Jim returned to Coram to help his mother and his sister Bonnie and brother John (Jack).
Jim returned to school and enrolled in the Education program at Northern Montana College. Jim won the title of ‘King of Hearts’ at a dance there. While attending college he met Deanne Webber from Sidney, Montana and fell in love. He graduated from NMC and began pursuing a master’s degree in Education at various locations in Montana- Billings and Missoula.
Jim and Deanne were wed in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on July 8, 1961. A son Michael (Mike) was born into the family on June 09, 1962. Jim obtained his master’s degree from Eastern Montana College in 1969. Jim then returned to Polson where he taught Special Education and Sixth grade at Linderman and Cherry Valley Schools. He also was instrumental with Kicking Horse Job Corps in Ronan and helped many a young adults succeed. In 1973 the family moved to Kalispell where he taught at Flathead Valley Community college until 1978- he taught Special Education and helped people obtain their GED’s. While in Kalispell he was active in the Evergreen Lions Club.
In 1978 Jim and Deanne had an opportunity to join Deanne’s father, Harold and her brother, Mike in Sidney working at the Chevrolet dealership- Gem City Motors. He caught on quickly to the car sale routine and loved the gift of gab. The dealership was sold in the late 1980’s and Jim and Deanne moved to Billings where they ran a car lot with Marvin Pressor and John Wiggin. After a year they decided to move West.
Jim and Deanne moved back home to Polson and his beloved mountains where he briefly worked for Pioneer Chevrolet before he opened a used car lot and repair shop- Montana Motor Mart. He also had M3 Motorsports in Polson.
While living in Sidney, Mike caught the drag racing bug and Jim was quick to help fuel the fire. Mike built his own car and Jim built a Daytona Yellow Yenko Tribute Chevrolet Nova that Jim raced in Lewistown, Anaconda, Montana and Spokane, Washington. Jim attended as many events as he could with Mike and Linda drag racing, and would travel as far as Brainerd, Minnesota to help. He was immensely proud of a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 that he acquired in 1979- ‘RAT FYR’. He took it to local shows and cruised the Flathead Valley in her.
Jim loved to hunt and to tinker on cars or a home remodel project. He had a love for the mountains and his logging legacy with his father. And he loved to follow his son Mike either attending races or spectating at NHRA events. Many memories were made throughout the years. He also attended several Super Chevy Events in Phoenix, Arizona. He always had a love for Muscle Cars. He loved family get to togethers, whether it was with family or the In-laws.
Jim began getting confused and not being able to remember things. At family dinners he became silent- which was unusual for him. Dementia began to steal Jim from his loved ones and began to affect his everyday activities. Deanne cared for him at home for several years until September of 2019 when he was admitted to Warm Springs Hospital. In November of 2019 he found a home at Cedar Wood Villa in Red Lodge, Montana. So, he was back in the mountains. A family friend visited with him shortly after he came there and talked with him. He didn’t remember what was happening one minute to the next, but he was always kind, talked a lot about mechanics and airplanes and he talked about his wife a lot. We talked about God and he said ‘I have never given up on trusting God. I can’t there is no contest there’ He said he had to trust in God and in his current situation. He seemed to know that his mind wasn’t working the way it should.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Irene Corbett, his infant brother Charles, his older brother Gerald (Jerry) (age of 49).
Jim is survived by his wife Deanne- of Polson, his son Michael (Linda)- of Miles City, sister Bonnie (Fred) Kirkpatrick- of Kalispell and brother Jack (Lori)- of Columbia Falls and sister-in-law Joyce (Gerald) Corbett- of Kalispell. As well as numerous cousins and niece and nephews.
Memorials may be made to The Christian Worship Hour or the charity of your choice.
Jim’s services will be held in Miles City, Montana on Friday June 25th, 2021, with visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Chapel. A graveside service will be held at the Old Calvary Cemetery in Miles City, followed by a luncheon at The Parlor in Miles City. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Special thanks to the staff at Cedar Wood Villa in Red Lodge for their excellent care. They took special care of Jim and put up with him and his goofy straw hat making laps in the building and letting him sleep on the loveseat in the TV room. Your work is tremendously challenging and does not go un-noticed. Thank you for loving him, as we did. Also special thanks to Stevenson and Sons for helping with his final care.
Service Schedule
Visitation
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Friday June 25, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday June 25, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Friday June 25, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday June 25, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Leslie Church says
Mike and Linda,
So very sorry to hear about your dad. Our Prayers go out to you.
Connie Stickler says
Deanne, Mike and Linda,
The obituary is lovely. Thank you for sharing so much, many things I didn’t know. I am sorry for your loss and for the difficulty especially the last few years. I have fond memories of Uncle Jimmy as I will always remember him. I remember his sharp, quick and clever wit well. Also, he always called me “kid” even in my 40’s. Special memories are certainly of family dinners and a baseball game that EVERYONE played. 🙂 I wish I had known him better, or longer. After my dad died, when I would see Uncle Jimmy he would literally take my breath away with how much they looked alike. I’m sure they are enjoying being together in heaven. My love to you and all of the Corbett’s.
Connie
Joyce Corbett says
Deanne, Mike and Linda,
I am very sorry for your loss. My sympathy to all of the Corbett’s. In Jimmy’s earlier years you found a man who was a Happy-go-Lucky kind of guy. He had a quick smile, twinkle in his eye and always, a kind of a joke! I loved Jimmy!
I, too, fondly remember family dinners. His mix and mess of cars was his “heaven on earth” here and now he can enjoy his heavenly one with his Dad, Mom and Jerry!,
Sincerely,
Joyce. Corbett
Betty Vail says
Mike and Linda,
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Karen Morris says
I don’t think any of us are ever ready to say good-bye to our Dad–even when his health is not the best. May your happy memories sustain you. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Carla Young says
Dear Deanne, Mike and Linda,
Uncle Jimmy was a very special man. I fondly remember family get togethers and Sundays at Grandma Corbett’s with the whole family. My favorite memories of Jimmy are his great smile, cheerful personality and striking resemblance to my Dad. Our thoughts are with you, and all of the family, and we are so sorry for your loss.
Carla and Jim
Linda and Dale Marcil says
Mike and Linda, so sorry to hear about Jim, I remember him enjoying watching Mike race and being at the races.
Thoughts and prayers to you guys!!
John & Amanda McArthur & Boys says
Mike & Linda & Family:
We are very sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad! Sounds like he was a really great guy! You guys are in our thoughts and prayers and we’re here if you need anything at all!
Ken Minow says
Mike,Linda and Family: Very sorry to hear of your loss.I first met Mike’s Dad when I worked at Auto Dismantlers in the early 80’s and he was looking for Chevy parts.He was always a very pleasant,friendly and nice person.Thoughts are with you.
DONALD DENOWH says
Mike, Linda and Deanne,
We are sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. We have many fond memories of times in Sidney. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Don and Teri Denowh & family
Larry Potter says
So sorry to learn about Jim’s passing. My sincere condolences to his family. Jim and I grew up together in Coram, graduating from 8th Grade and then High School in 1958. In 1958, I entered the United States Air Force leaving Montana. Family still resides there and I travel back when possible. Jim was a month or so older than I.
Janis Dietrich says
Dear Deanne, Mike and Linda,
We are so sorry for your loss, I loved Uncle Jimmy, he always made me laugh. I was grateful to be able to reconnect with him and Deanne while they were in Billings for a short time. My favorite memories of course were playing 500 in the field at grandma’s on Sundays, and everyone played! Just like my sisters I was always taken back by his resemblance to Dad, they are probably playing catch in heaven. Much love to all the Corbett’s.
Jan and Dave
Jennifer Darr says
I have many fond memories of Uncle Jim. I will never forget his humor and his wit. I loved him dearly and I’m so sorry for your loss.
Cindy and Dale Berg says
Mike and Linda,
Sorry for your loss! Prayers for you all.
Lynda Kay (Moore) Hurter says
I was so saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all the family. Jim was one of my brother, Barry Moore’s, best buddies through many of their growing up years, graduating together from CFHS in 1958. Their mutual love of cars, fishing and other Montana activities kept them close friends for years, even beyond high school. Our families were members of the Coram Presbyterian Church during those years so enjoyed many activities and family events together. One very fond memory was when my brother passed several years ago, Jim came to his graveside service at Glacier View Cemetery in Kalispell that summer and shared some very kind words. He shared with me afterwards how pleased he was to hear that Barry had rededicated his life to the Lord a couple years before he died. It pleases me to know those two buddies are reunited in heaven with each other and with our parents. Romans 8:28
Brenda Swanson Eberling Kringen says
Deanna, Mike and Linda,
Sorry to hear of the recent loss of your husband and dad, Jim. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. May your memories bring you comfort and happiness in the time to come.
Brenda Swanson Eberling Kringen and family
Clarice Gates says
So sorry to see that James Corbett has passed away .We attended Col.Falls High School at the same time. May your memories help you.