Jim Stevick, age 68, of Clancy, MT.

Jim Crea Stevick wants you all to know that he is free of pain, in fact he has “never felt better”, and is now busy playing with his beloved pets who have been watching over him (Maggie, Zeke, Baron, Jackson, Bruiser, Smudge, JC & Samantha). Jim dealt with the sudden diagnosis of cancer in his own way of acceptance, saying “It is what it is!” Under the tender care of his family and Hospice, Jim simply loved his family and his dog, Charlie, to the end of his life in the early morning hours of Friday, March 24, 2017. He was 68 years old.

The youngest child of Geraldine Straugh, Jim was born on his grandparent’s ranch near White Sulphur Springs on August 20, 1948. He lived with his grandparents, Charles and Ruby Straugh, until about the age of 4, when he moved to Laurel to live with his mother, Geraldine, and step father, Dale Stevick, and his brothers. He attended school in Laurel and graduated from Laurel High School in 1966.   Jim attended the University of Montana, graduating from Pharmacy School in 1971.  He married Cindy Johnson (a Miles City girl) on November 24, 1979 in Billings, Montana. They welcomed Jim’s son Colin into their family. Later, they were blessed with their daughter, Ashley Kristin Stevick (1982) and son, Andrew Kenneth Stevick (1985) who both brought much joy into Jim’s life.

As a licensed registered pharmacist, Jim worked in both retail and hospital pharmacy, mostly in Billings, Helena and Townsend. Jim prided himself in his uncanny ability to detect a forged prescription, and uncovered many who were “abusing the system” in any way. Jim was an excellent pharmacist who was proud of his commitment to accuracy and the safety of his customers. While working in hospitals, Jim realized how much he missed his personal connection with the people he served, and balanced that by working part-time for Townsend Drug. There, Jim was fortunate to work for his pharmacy school classmate, Peter Wolfgram and later with Pete’s son Seth. The staff at Townsend Drug and the customers Jim grew to know, were truly a blessing in his life.

Jim was a valued member of the Montana City Volunteer Fire Department and was sorely missed when he retired from the department in 2006. He was committed to doing his best… “when he was there he did what needed to be done and gave it his all. He was a great teacher to the new volunteers and he was good at calming the stress of new people with this wonderful sense of humor. He was a warm and welcoming presence on the department. One of his proudest moments was responding to the Bucksnort Fire in 2000, driving a rig and defending structures knowing that he and his fellow firefighters were in a very dangerous environment. He was one of those heroes on that fire!”

Hunting brought him to the Elkhorn Mountains near Clancy for many years prior to moving his family to Montana City in 1989. Jim seemed to thrive in the outdoors and enjoyed hiking the mountains with both family and friends. At home, he enjoyed watching the wildlife that make frequent visits to the area, and was always there to help a wandering dog, giving them a safe place and a doggy treat while he located their owners. Nature provided Jim with peace of mind and laughter. He was in awe as he watched flowers blooming and trees leafing out and often pointed out the newest blossoms to his wife, Cindy.

He enjoyed the fast cars of the 60’s and 70’s! Jim’s favorite was his Datsun 280Z. When Cindy wrecked his “Z Car” a month after they met, she knew he was a very good man when his concern was for her well-being, and not about the damage to the car. At that point Cindy knew Jim was definitely a “keeper”! On Jim’s 60^th Birthday, Cindy thanked him with a “Z-Car”, his beautiful red 1983 Datsun Nissan 280ZX

Jim was proceeded in death by his mother Geraldine Straugh Stevick, step-father Dale Stevick, brothers Steven Ward and Larry Ward, nephew Mark Ward, niece Cheryl Ward, and a favorite cousin Ron Straugh. Jim is survived by his wife, Cindy Johnson Stevick, daughter Ashley Kristin Stevick of John Day, Oregon, son Andrew Kenneth Stevick, daughter-in law Jordan Weidman Stevick and grandson James Mark Weidman all of Helena; son Colin Bruce Stevick (Missouri), daughter-in-law Julia Stevick, and granddaughters Rachel and Rebecca Stevick; brother Jerry Stevick (Phoenix, Arizona), sister-in-law Betty Stevick; sister-in laws Anne Ward and Sharon Ward; step-brother Doug Stevick (Minot, ND); nephews Dale Stevick, Dan, Tim and Jon Ward, Chris and Michael Johnson, and nieces Lisa Johnson, Katherine and Cindy Ward, Debbie, Terri and LaNae Stevick; and recently discovered family members Hugh Callery and Mike and Linda Callery of Oklahoma. Jim is also survived by many wonderful friends, colleagues and hunting and fishing buddies whom he held dear and considered part of his family. We are grateful for the friendship and support of so many wonderful people who touched Jim’s life is such a positive way.

Cremation has taken place, as Jim wished A service celebrating Jim’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 7^th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A pot-luck reception will follow in the social hall of the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make memorial contributions to Compassus Hospice, 1075 N. Rodney Street, Helena, MT 59601, Montana City Fire Department, 1192 Hwy 282, Montana City, MT 59634 or the Lewis & Clark Humane Society P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Jim.

Service Schedule

Celebration of Life

11:00 a.m.

Friday April 7, 2017

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59601

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