James E. Gaughan, 92, passed away June 29, 2025, at the VA Community Living Center in Miles City, Montana. Jim was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 15, 1932, the youngest son of Thomas Gaughan and Elizabeth (Harrison) Gaughan. He began working on the family farm, all planted and harvested with horse-drawn equipment, at the age of nine.
He attended Clark Township School and was active in 4-H and sports and enjoyed fishing and hunting. He married Rachel Nay, his high school sweetheart, in January 1951. Sons Daniel and Samuel were born in 1953 and ’54.
On November 1, 1954, Jim began service in the Army during the Korean War as a gunner for a year and a half in Korea. He then served three and a half years in Germany as a mechanic where Rachel and sons were able to join him. He competed on a shooting team while he was in the Army, as well, and often won three-day passes the whole unit could enjoy. In 1957, he received an honorable discharge and returned home to Indiana to manage a dairy farm. Daughter Sharon joined the family in 1960.
In 1964, Jim moved to Florida to work with his brother on a ranch outside of Okeechobee. When he lost his brother in a tragic accident, he moved north and finally landed in Ocala, in 1966 working for Jack Dreyfus Jr., Hobeau Farms. Two Thoroughbreds were raised there, Onion and Prove Out, that defeated Secretariat. Jim managed and showed their registered Santa Gertrudis cattle herd, showing all over the southern US, including showing a bull at the Houston Astrodome that won grand champion of the world.
Since Jim started working at American Breeders Service in his latter high school years artificially inseminating dairy cattle, when AI’ing beef cattle became popular, he moved the family to Colorado in 1969 and on to Miles City in 1970. Besides ranching, he owned and operated the Log Cabin Bar for a short time, managed the VFW Bar, and served as Post Commander in the1980’s. He also volunteered with the local Search & Rescue.
Jim divorced in 1983 and married Loretta Hirsch June 30, 1984. They lived at Intake, Montana, operating a bait shop specifically for paddlefishing. He enjoyed spending time with stepdaughter Tera, who shared his love of animals and the outdoors. Next, he and Loretta ventured to Alaska where he was a mechanic for a gold operation and earned his pilot’s license to fly a Cessna 182 that he’d purchased. From Alaska, they traveled the Continental US until they landed at Lake Amistad, Del Rio, Texas, where the fishing was just too good to leave.
Wanting to be close to family, in 2011 they moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and then on to Huntley, Montana, in 2013, where they raised chickens and a large garden. As health issues arose, they relocated to the Friendship Villa in Miles City in 2019 and to Billings when it closed. When Loretta passed in 2023, he wanted to move “home,” so he joined the residents at the VA Community Living Center. He was happy to see familiar faces again and the feeling was mutual. While in residential care, Jim still planted a small pot garden of vegetables and kept the birds and squirrels well fed. He hand-fed the squirrels at the Villa and was thrilled to see “Red,” his favorite, with the notched ear and short tail, find him at the VA.
Jim had the ability to make friends with any animal. In addition to always having a family dog, he rescued two young black snakes as a young lad that would sit next to him every day while he milked so they could share in what was going in the bucket. He also rescued “Chipper,” a baby squirrel in Florida, and it lived inside making the couch and curtains its tree limbs until it could be released; and had a parakeet in Texas that when asked, “Where’s Jim?” would reply, “Gone Fishing.”
Everyone who knew Jim knew he had a phenomenal memory, and it remained intact to the end. He was able to recall names, places, dates, and details of his life much better than most, and loved to tell stories of his early childhood through to present or talk about ranching or family activities with his caregivers. Humor was part of each day with him, and he loved to dress up on Halloween to hand out candy, pull practical jokes or have a funny comeback; but if something made him mad, you would also hear the temper of a one hundred percent Irishman.
Jim is survived by son Daniel (Linda) Gaughan, Helena; daughter Sharon Gaughan, Billings; and stepdaughter Tera (Scott) Butler, Cheyenne, Wyoming; grandchildren Jay (Hannah) Gaughan, Darsen (Jess) Gaughan, Olinda (Tyler) Peplinski, and Chance Butler; numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and too many adopted daughters from Texas to Montana to list.
He was preceded in death by his former wife Rachel; his wife Loretta; son Samuel; and his brothers Patrick and John and sisters Mary, Margaret, Ann, Sara, and Kathleen.
The family would also like to extend a special “thank you” to our caregiver “family” at the Friendship Villa and VA CLC. Dad expressed to me countless times how appreciative he was of the quality of care he received.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Miles City VFW Post 1579, P.O. Box 395, Miles City, MT 59301; Tunnels to Towers Foundation, https://t2t.org, that help provide homes to catastrophically injured veterans and first responders; or a charity of your choice.
Memorial service will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Graveside service will follow with full military honors in the Eastern Montana Veterans Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday August 15, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
Following the Funeral Service
Friday August 15, 2025
Eastern Montanan Veterans Cemetery
Cemetery Rd.
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday August 15, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
Following the Funeral Service
Friday August 15, 2025
Eastern Montanan Veterans Cemetery
Cemetery Rd.
Miles City, Montana 59301
Share
Shelby Coughlin says
I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing, i adored both him and Loretta. I am sad he is gone but glad he’s finally home with her❤️ I’m sending my prayers to your family
James Arneson says
I always enjoyed our visits when I got to work at 0530 every day. I always looked forward to seeing you sitting there with a smile or some smart comment. I have missed them since I retired. Rest easy my friend.
Paula Coate says
Two really great people!!!! Glad they are together again. Thinking of all of you!
Hazel Parker says
Sorry to see of your father’s passing. Hugs and prayers for you Sharon.
Kathy Whitby says
I remember Mom getting a call from Uncle Jimmy wee hours of the morning. He had a champion cow and wanted Mom to know he named her Kathleen. He was so special. I am sad to know he is gone. I send my love to you.
Antonia Fenech says
My Uncle Jimmy was not that much older than me. I have many fond memories of the time we spent on the farm in Indiana. My Mother
Patricia Anne Gaughan, made many trips to Indiana from New York and we stayed there for some length of time during the war. We always loved being there. God bless him.
Ben and Brenda Muggli says
We are so sorry for your loss your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Nena Lockard says
My memories of Uncle Jimmy all have him laughing or smiling. I hope your memories will bring you some peace and comfort in the days ahead. I’m sending love & hugs.
Jo Ann Norwood says
Haven’t seen uncle Jim in years, but the picture Sharon shared always help me remember him. Prayers for everyone.
Pat (Patsy) Gaughan Cooper says
I remember Uncle Jimmy so fondly. He was always full of fun and energy. One of my most vivid memories is when he returned from serving in the Army while he was stationed in Germany. He taught me how to count to ten in German! I pray that your family will find comfort and strength as you begin this journey of life without him. God bless you all.
Antonia Fenech says
I have many memories of my Uncle Jimmy when he was a boy and we spent such fun times at the farm in Indiana. I would have loved to have gotten to know him and his family as an adult. We left New York for the west coast and also, sadly, all our family which has always been a sadness. God bless all his family and how wonderful that he lived to such an old age and you had him with you.
Bob Russey says
My fondest memories of Uncle Jimmy are from the summer vacation spent with him and your family in Miles City. So sorry to hear of his passing you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Garth Lee says
Was just thinking about Jim!
Met him years ago!
Very nice easy going guy!
MARY OTTOY says
Sharon,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Cory Harman & Brad Kneeland says
Dear Sharon and family,
We’re so sorry for your loss. We always loved hearing stories about Jim’s remarkable life—what a truly special man. Thinking of you all and sending love, prayers, and warm memories.
Lorna Niles says
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing… Sam introduced us on the early 80s when he n Loretta were at Intake. Rest easy Jim…
Deb Bartholomew and Family says
Sharon and Family
I am so sorry for your loss of your Dad. Dad’s are very special. Always remember “When A Loved One Becomes A Memory That Memory Becomes A Treasure”. Your Dad will always be a Treasure in your hearts and never forgotten. Treasure and cherish all your memories as they will help get you thru difficult days ahead. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.