James “Jim” Chester Wagner, Jr., age 58, of Colstrip
On the morning of November 17, 2014 Jim passed away at the Colstrip Medical Center in Colstrip, MT. He was born the only son to James C. Wagner and Ann Schiavone December 26, 1955 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Jim attended Elementary and High School in the Conestoga Valley School District in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1974. He participated in, and enjoyed very much, football and wrestling during high school. In his early adulthood, he coached and played softball.
Jim went to work for Bechtel Power Corporation in Pennsylvania and eventually accepted a transfer to Colstrip, MT, where he made his home.
Jim and Mary G. Youngbauer of Forsyth, MT were married in 1981 in Forsyth.
Jim was an avid fisherman and sports fan. He loved food, cooking and baking. He enjoying helping others and was close to his church family.
For many years, Jim was the head custodian at the Colstrip Schools, where he retired. He loved working at the school and working with the students. He wanted to be an example for them. Jim always gave 100% in everything that he did. Jim later worked at the Rosebud Power Plant in Colstrip.
He was a member of the Life’s Journey Christian Fellowship in Colstrip.
James is preceded in death by his father, James C. Wagner, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Mary G. Wagner, son, Anthony (Jamie) Cochenour, mother, Ann Wagner of Greenville, SC; sisters Jeanne (Gregory) Picklesimer of Greer, SC and Jennifer (Gary) Chadwick of Cut Bank, MT; and granddaughter, Cady.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Tuesday December 2, 2014
Life's Journey Christian Fellowship Church
Colstrip, MT
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Tuesday December 2, 2014
Life's Journey Christian Fellowship Church
Colstrip, MT
Cathi Sopher and family says
Wagner Family;
so sorry to here of your loss, Jimmy was a good friend, who you could always count on . prayers and thoughts with you all doing this time,,,hugs Cathi , Mitch and family.
pat & george riedel says
Jim’s Family,
so sorry to hear of his sudden passing, he was a fun person and he will be missed
Jennifer raile says
Sorry for your loss. He will be very missed
Mary Richardson says
I feel so bad. Over the years I joked with Jim and played lots of tricks on him. We also had a lot of talks at the Surge Pond. He cared a lot for the staff and kids at the school.
Lynn says
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your loved one. I hope you can find some comfort in the future hope that the dead will live again. – Isaiah 26:19
Donna and Lawrence McCulloch says
Jim was a kind man, despite his gruff exterior. He was funny and witty and quite the fisherman. He was a dedicated employee who helped start the classified union at school. He will be missed by all who knew him. Rest in Peace Jim.
Ron & Mary Pat Harris says
To the family of our great Friend Jim Wagner. He growled a lot but that was Jim. He was like a kitten inside. He would do anything a friend asked, no questions asked. You could depend on Him, It was a Great Loss when Jim left the school system. The students adored him. He went out of his way to help anyone in need of anything. He could make you laugh just as fast as make you mad. We wish his family the best, just to know that He was loved,
We will miss you Jim, see you later,
Roxie and Calvin Wilson says
Jim was a very kind and generous man and I enjoyed visiting with him when he drifted through our building after his retirement. It was always fun hearing about his great adventures and listening to his opinion on every subject matter. I last saw Jim at the Colstrip Bazaar and he was signing people up for the friends of the library, he of course had a smile on his face and we said hi I wish now I would have stopped and visited longer. I’m going to miss you my friend God bless you kind sir.
Russ & Darla says
Jim was our longest friends since coming to Colstrip and he coached with me and did football play-by-play with me. We played thousands of hours of pinochle over the years. Jim was also the godfather of my daughter Katie. I am still struggling with the loss of a real special friend. My son Josh and Jim are together now an I hope Jim is taking Josh fishing. God watch over you my friend!
corrina horn says
Condolences to the family of Jim Wagner. You’re in my thoughts & prayers~
Joe Novasio says
Jim was a great friend and a top notch fisherman on the pond. We would swap stories on a daily basis on the one that got away. It was a lot of fun listening to Jim and Russ football play by play sometimes unconventional fun stuff on the radio. Janitor Jim was a good man and the community will miss him greatly. Love Joe and Marita
Mary and Mike says
Jim was a very special person to our family. The hours we spent hunting and fishing are priceless. He was rough and tough on the outside but had a heart of gold. He would do anything for you! He was a gentle man to Shane and Keri. He even let Keri adorn his hat with wild flowers at our cabin. Oh and his laugh was the best. Rest in peace our dear friend. We will miss you.
Love Mike, Mary, Shane, and Keri
Dan Schmidt says
I met Jim a few short days after starting my job in Colstrip. Jim always took time to come down, talk to me, and share whatever was on his mind. His sense of humor, his common-sense approach, and his humorous anecdotes will be missed. I am glad to have met Jim and share a part of his life. Rest in peace.
Jennifer (Wagner) Chadwick says
So sorry, Anthony (Tony) for the loss of your dad. He was my brother, my only brother and I will miss him. I’ve been reminded of some very special memories in Colstrip with my brother. Thank you! I know he is fishing with my late husband, Larry, and swapping the best of stories. Thank you to each of you for your prayers.
Judy and Mike Hayworth says
May the memories of Jim…of happy times, of joyful smiles, of hearty laughter, and caring words help you through this sorrowful time. Jim was a good and loyal friend. Your pain and sorrow are shared by all of his friends. Love, Judy and Mike Hayworth
“The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces.” Isaiah 25:8
Mary and Jolyn Dillon says
Our sincere sympathy to all the family. Jim was definitely one of our fond memories of Colstrip. Both of my kids talked of him, and it was obvious that he was thought a lot of by the students. Your family will be kept in our prayers. May you find it comforting to know that we will see our loved ones again. We are so sorry.
Mary and Jolyn Dillon
Dinny and Cindy Bennett says
Jim and I worked together for a lot of years at the middle school. He was a gruff man with a very kind heart. The school was his family and the students were his kids. I enjoyed our conversations while he worked at FBMS and when he stopped by after retiring. We will miss you Jim…you won’t be forgotten.
Dave and Vicky Saulsbury says
We worked a long time with Jim and one summer with his son Tony. Good people. We will miss that laugh and so will the community.
John & Patsy Heppner says
We have known Jim some30 years ago. He was an awesome personality, and someone who loved to be around the kids no matter where. He was always taking some of them fishing and showing them how to fish if they didn’t know how. He loved his garden and yard and it always looked so nice. He also had a love for his animals. He will be truly missed in the community. This town wouldn’t be the same without his voice and presence around. You will be truly missed but you wil be able joke and join with your friends in heaven.
Jackson Craig says
To You and Your Family with Sympathy – He gave of himself to those around him through his skills and talents for those so dear to him in life. Hoping these few words can somehow express the deep sincere sympathy that goes out to you and your family.
Larry & Joanne Schrupp says
To Jim’s family – Jim was a good friend dating back nearly thirty years to our old Coal & Cattle Country Players days. He was a good guy with a gruff exterior and a warm heart. He loved the kids in his schools and always looked out for them. And the school remained his concern after he retired too. He would wander through, sit down for a visit and always ask about the kids. He was a special guy who helped make Colstrip a special place. He will be missed.
Jeanne (Wagner) Picklesimer says
My thanks to all of you who have posted on this sight for your kind words about my brother Jim. Losing him has been devastating to me as his older sister, as well as his playmate when we were children. He was always funny, doing great impressions, and getting our little sister Jenni and me in trouble! I was unable to attend his service today because I care for our mother and my husband who suffers from fourth stage Parkinsons. Being in South Carolina and knowing you all were paying tribute to him today was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Jim and I had become closer over the past few years as the three of us have dealt with our aging mother. I could always count on Jim to listen to my frustrations and he always had good advice and something to say that would make me smile! I will miss him terribly, but know he is now in heaven with our father who was Jim’s role model of a good husband and father, as well as a good community citizen. He loved Colstrip and the life he built for himself and his wife Mary there. He loved his son and family and was always a great friend, even as a child! Rest in peace my little brother. You were loved and will be always in our thoughts.
Dennis and Louise Davenport says
We were so shocked to have lost Jim. He was a good man; ready and willing to help. You did good Ann. We count ourselves lucky to have shared the years with him as friend and neighbor.
Joyce Peterson says
I am so sorry for you loss. Jim was a great friend. He will be missed. Sending thoughts and prayers to the family.
Rick Whitmore says
Jim was always a great friend and colleague to me. We spent many hours together working on projects and taking care of the kids at Fbms middle school. He also was there for me when I needed a house as he sold me is home. Jim had a heart of gold and would give you the shirt off his back if that’s what it took. He will be sorely missed.
Phillip Heintz says
I just found out about this. Condolences to the family of Jim Wagner. You’re in my thoughts & prayers. He was a good man. RIP.
Ruth (Lipp) Davis says
I was so sorry to have just found out that Jim had passed away over a year ago. He was in my class at Consstoga Valley 1974. He was a good friend to many of us and I know he is truly missed.