Robert J. “Jim” Wilson, age 78, of Alzada, MT, passed away on May 26, 2023, at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, in Rapid City, SD.
Cowboy. Rancher. Pickup Man. Pilot. Sheepman. Neighbor. Friend. It doesn’t matter how you describe Jim Wilson, but most people who knew him will say that he is a true example of the Western way of life. He always said that starting at about six years old, he knew he wanted to be a cowboy, and he wanted to be the best cowboy.
Robert J. Wilson was born in Broadus, Montana, on May 15, 1945, the eldest of three boys, to Bob & Betty Wilson. At that time, they were employed by Bob’s uncle Bob Ormesher. Jim started cowboyin’ while riding with his Dad and uncle as a small child. He doesn’t ever remember not being able to ride. Riding horseback, Jim attended several one-room country schools during his elementary education. Oh, the shenanigans that took place on those rides back and forth to school! Jim graduated from Belle Fourche High School in 1963 and returned to the ranch to work full time for Uncle Bob. Shortly after that, he married the neighbor girl, Donna Harris, and they started a family. Bart was born in 1967, and Boni Jo was born in 1969. Jim’s father passed away in 1972, followed by his Uncle Bob in 1976. Since Bob had no children, he left the ranch land to Jim. Several years of financial struggle ensued to pay off the IRS inheritance tax bill and to re-stock the ranch. Jim & Donna later divorced, and he married Louise Hanson in 1989.
For many years, Jim picked up at local amateur, high school, and college rodeos. He loved the adrenaline rush of waiting for the first horse out of the chute and said if he ever quit getting butterflies that he would quit picking up. That did not happen for another 50 years! In the early 1990’s, Jim joined the PRCA, and added pro rodeos to his travels. He worked mostly in North and South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming. He picked up at all the big rodeos in the Badlands Circuit and was selected six times to pick up for the Badlands Circuit Finals. He was proud of the fact that he was always well mounted, that he was never badly injured, and that, to his knowledge, while picking up, he never caused any injuries to a cowboy. He worked for Korkow Rodeo, Sutton Rodeo, Mossbrucker Rodeo, and for Burch Rodeo when they joined the PRCA. He still believes the reason he was able to pick up as long as he did was due to two things – good horses and the ability to read livestock.
When Jim and Louise were married, they opted to have a little jackpot roping with a potluck supper instead of a formal wedding reception. The roping was followed by a barn dance. It was all so much fun that they decided to do it again the next year. By then, they had added a bucking chute to their arena, so they included bronc riding in the mix. The year after, they bought and installed five chutes. That was the beginning of Wilson Rodeo, which ran for 10 years. It’s pretty amazing to look back at the paperwork and see how many guys that rode broncs in the back yard went on to compete at the National Finals Rodeo.
In the mid 1980’s, Jim purchased and learned to fly a Brantley B-2B helicopter. He loved flying and hunting coyotes with it. To this day, he comments on “good snow for hunting.” The helicopter met its demise while being used to chase wild horses, but Jim survived to tell the story. Now, you can say you know of a guy that has survived helicopter, plane, train, automobile, motorcycle, and horse crashes. But those other crash stories are for another day.
Jim has always been very handy with both saddle horses and teams, and so, he enjoyed helping small local wagon trains for many years. He also ran a branding wagon in the Ridge, Montana area, where he would gather up the neighbors who traded help. They would head out with the wagons and brand for about a week. They usually branded about 4500 calves and traveled a distance of about 20 miles before they were done. It gave local ranchers young and old alike an opportunity to get a taste of what branding was like back when the West was a lot more wild. There are lots of stories from those days!
In 1989, Jim was selected to be the Carter County representative to help wrangle horses and trail cattle on the Montana Centennial Wagon Train from Roundup to Billings. He had the time of his life being involved with handling such a large number of horses and cattle. Later, he was part of the Powder River Wagon Train and Cattle Drive as the Horse Boss. It was a week-long destination vacation, on which they hosted anywhere from 25-80 guests from all over the world. In 2012, the final drive rolled out on that adventure and operations ceased, a victim of rising insurance costs and a lack of well-broke horses.
Another big adventure for Jim was going to Arizona to rope wild cattle. His comment was that there’s nothing more exciting than dropping a loop on something that has never seen a human! He not only roped wild cattle, but he also roped most anything that moved, like deer or antelope, for the sport of it. He still carries 60 feet of rope just in case he needs a big loop or a long reach.
For the past 59 years, he has served as a local brand inspector for the State of Montana. He has always gone horseback and helped to gather, as he feels it gives him a better look at the cattle he is inspecting, and a chance to spot livestock that might be in the herd from neighboring ranches. That job is slowly being handed down to his grandson, Travis Kuhbacher, who now ranches with him.
All in all, he is sure he has had the best life possible, and pretty much lived it like he wanted to, with good cattle, good sheep, and most important, good horses! He has made some of the best damn friends along the way and has the stories to match!
Jim is survived by his wife Louise, one son; Bart (Brenda) Wilson, one daughter, Boni Jo (Jason) Kuhbacher; five grandchildren, Tyler Wilson, Thomas Wilson, Jessie Wilson, Travis Kuhbacher and Terese Kuhbacher; two brothers; Jerry (Bea) Wilson and John (Joyce) Wilson and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Betty and one grandchild, Austin Wilson.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Son’s Funeral Home in Broadus, MT. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Belle Fourche Roundup Grounds in Belle Fourche, SD. A private family interment will be held at a later date at the Ridge Cemetery in Ridge, MT.
Should friends desire memorials can be made to the family by visiting stevensonandsons.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund 101 Pro Rodeo Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday June 7, 2023
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
101 East Wilson Street
Broadus, MT 59317
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday June 7, 2023
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
101 East Wilson Street
Broadus, MT 59317
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Thursday June 8, 2023
Belle Fourche Roundup Grounds
301 Roundup Street
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday June 7, 2023
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
101 East Wilson Street
Broadus, MT 59317
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday June 7, 2023
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
101 East Wilson Street
Broadus, MT 59317
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Thursday June 8, 2023
Belle Fourche Roundup Grounds
301 Roundup Street
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
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GARY AND THERESA FINN says
YOU AND JIM’S FAMILY ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
Mike and Tammy Pecha says
All of Jim’s family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ella Mae Morris Drane. says
One more good cowboy riding in Heaven,Jim you are going to be so missed.RIP.
Chris and Diana Elwood says
We are still trying to wrap our heads around the loss of Jim. Such a great guy and great cowboy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. God bless.
Steve and Tracy Vail says
Praryers are with you
Kelli (Mellor) Davis says
Thinking of you all! Jim was an amazing guy and left quite a mark with so many!
Michelle Miller says
Mike and I are sending thoughts and prayers to you all. Jim was one of a kind and such a great man.
Brian Macy says
An absolute cowboy’s cowboy! Thoughts and prayers to the family…
Boop says
I didn’t know Jim, but I absolutely love the picture of him riding and roping. Rest in peace!
Dave and Lisa Tescher says
Not one day will go by without you in our thoughts. A void that can never be filled. All our love and prayers.
Roy Olsen says
Jim was a good man and I was proud to have known him.
Doug Bechen says
What a great cowboy and pick up man! Thoughts and prayers are with you from the Bechen family.
Tom & Cheryl Larsen says
This one is such a hard one to handle. Such a good man. We can’t even imagine the pain you are all going through. Praying for all Wilson family and friends 🙏 for God’s love to help us handle this. Jim is going to be very missed by the whole tri-state area. Till we all meet again. RIP, Cowboy!
Beckie Henwood says
Tom and Beckie Henwood
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
Robert Whitaker says
Always liked visiting with Jim around the rodeos and at the Broadus QH sale!
Bobbi Ballou says
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Linda and Dick Hurley says
So sorry for your loss, Our thoughts are with you and your families.
Boyd Waara says
Jim was a hand. No matter what he was doing, he was a hand. I am pleased to have known him.
Andrita Harris says
Deepest sympathy and condolences to the Wilson Family, Jim was a good man. My Dad and he did alot of Brand Inspections and pick up together.
Prayers to the Family
LeeAnn Ferley says
What wonderful memories Jim has left you Louise, his family and friends. May you find peace knowing he is with family, friends and his many favorite horses. Know he is riding high. Prayers and God’s blessings!
Diane Dresback says
Nothing worse than a great cowboy riding away. Condolences to Wilson family and the cowboy world. Thinking of you all with heavy hearts, the Hubing family.
Karla (Montague) berglund and Gary Berglund says
Jim was a great pick-up man he is now picking-up all the cowboys in heaven. Payers are with you all. REST IN PEACE Jim.
Kathy Aromando says
I had never met a “Real Cowboy” until Jim Wilson.
Was so fortunate to know him and call him my friend.
The “JerseyGirls” will never forget the fun times we had on the Cattle Drive and watching Jim & Louise dance with their spurs a jingling.
Jim you will be sorely missed but the memories you left will live on forever. RIP ❤️
Tom Reeves says
Jim, was my friend from long ago. He was a friend who was worth that name. My condolences to his children and grandchildren.
June Mckinzie says
I did not know this Man ,but what a wonderful man he was ,and tes a true Cowboy.i just read the obituary becouse of the picture of him riding his horse .whoever Turd F is ,not nice . O prayer for the family of Jim .🙏🏻Ca.
bill janssen says
Bart and Bonnie and the rest of the family. So sorry to hear about your Dad. I always enjoyed visiting with him. A cowboys cowboy. May he rest in peace.
Shawn and Wendy Richards says
What an amazing man and legacy!!! Thoughts and prayers for all of Jim’s family!! He will forever be remembered and missed by many !!
Ronny and Ann Mackaben says
Words fail me at the moment. Pretty sure Jim is riding high, and turning the herd up there! Hold your memories close!
Norm and Julie Samuelson says
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Jim was a very special man and will be deeply missed.
Wiley Snell says
We sure had a lot of fun starting colts, roping lambs and pitching hay bales.
He was a man of many talents, tooling leather, braiding almost anything and mechanicing.
He always had a smile on his face and a kind word.
He was a true joy to be around and will be sorely missed.
Jim Schlosser and family says
We know his family, friends and neighbors will have wonderful memories of Jim and the days they spent time with Jim. Always showed up on time with a smile and left with a smile on his face. He was a good neighbor. The kind of cowboy that will be missed.
Robin says
Jim,
You will be greatly missed. All my best childhood memories include you…. Sending so much love and so many prayers to all of your family and friends. Ride free and please give Uncle Bobby and Aunt Betty hugs from me.
Jerry Reynolds. Canton, Ohio. says
I met Jim when he gave my buddy and I permission to hunt on his ranch. We had so much fun together that he hunted with us for a week. When we were done hunting he told us we kept him from his work so long that we had to stay a few more days and help build a fence line. 😂 We stayed four more days and helped do that and had is much with him doing that as we did hunting. Jim was just a great person and was the definition of a cowboy. My deepest sympathy goes out to Louise and the rest of the family.
Emma Strackbein says
He was my grandfather’s best friend Mike beltz after he died my mom and Jim got really close she said he was like her father and she remembered going in the branding wagon with him he came to all of are brandings and he was a great guy, rolemodle, and neighbor