Jim Boyer (JB) passed away on October 21 after a brief illness. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Roger Boyer and Phyllis Squires and grew up in Michigan and Illinois, or the Rust Belt as he liked to call it. He graduated from Forrest Hills High School and went on to receive a B.B.A. in Business Marketing and a B.A. in History from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo and a M.S. in Urban Planning and Regional Economics from the University of Arizona in Tuscon. While waiting to see if he had been accepted into the Peace Corps, he borrowed a car and travelled through Montana applying for jobs. He accepted a job in Butte America, where he moved in January and quickly realized was a bit of a change from winters in Arizona. He worked in Butte for a year before accepting a job in Helena where he continued to live for almost 40 years. While in Helena, he worked as a Social Economist (whatever that is), mainly as an independent consultant but also as an employee of state and local government agencies.
Jim spent most of his time in Helena living and working in the downtown area. He was well known and liked by many in the community. In 2000 he met Bev Pickett and, after using the glacial approach, they were married in 2007. This did not end his years as a bachelor, but rather he tried and succeeded in teaching Bev how to live like one.
Jim is survived by his wife and best friend Bev Pickett, his sisters and brothers-in-law Sue and Bill Bisard, Carolynn Patterson, Trish and Steve Chase and his nieces and nephews who truly loved Uncle Jim.
Cremation has taken place. There will be a celebration of his life at the Windbag Saloon on Sunday, November 8 from 2:00-5:00pm. Please come and help us celebrate his life. In place of flowers, memorials can be sent to Montana Public Radio or Helena Food Share. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of James.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday November 8, 2015
Windbag Saloon
19 S Last Chance Gulch St
Helena , Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday November 8, 2015
Windbag Saloon
19 S Last Chance Gulch St
Helena , Montana 59601
Rosemary & Dick Thelen says
such a beautiful tribute. I know from Sue and Bill how much he was loved and cherished. Our sympathy to you and all his family. May he rest in peace.
Sue Bisard says
My brother Jim was like “Father Earth”……few complaints, loved walking places, never knew a stranger, and hummed. He had a cute little dance step when he crossed the kitchen and was obsessed with “Lollipop” when his sisters were around. He was a good listener and often interjected something really significant in every conversation. I will miss his cute hats, his teasing, our same addiction to popcorn and most of all, his gentle teasing. I couldn’t have asked for a better brother!!!!!
Bill Bisard says
A tribute to a great “Brother-in-Law” who was like my “Brother”
Jim Boyer
Never really had one! He was like a brother to me this last half century. We had many shared experiences, but I will relate one in this tribute. Jim’s Western Michigan University college roommate was the son of Bowie Kuhn (American League baseball commissioner) and obtained two extra ticket for the final World Series game between the Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres in 1984—just 31 years ago. Jim invited me….no brainer!!
We picked the $1000 dollar tickets up in Novi, Michigan at the commissioners home which Jim in his usual “geographical” style told me it was the sixth (#6) stop between Detroit and the Muskegon car ferries. Jim was a traveling source of geographical and political information! The seats were ten rows back behind the Padre’s dugout at first base and we sat next to a world famous Detroit boxer whose name I cannot recall.
I was teaching Kinesiological Physics (Physics of Sports) and brought my protractor and stop watch to measure lengths of home runs (several that game) and Jim, of course, brought the statistical data on all the players. We had a tremendous six hours of exciting baseball before, during, and especially, after the Tigers victory (8-4)!
At its conclusion, we were surrounded by big Detroit policemen to keep us off the field, but the center field fans got over the fence and onto the infield, dug it up, and threw all the turf pieces into the stands and we ended up with dirt and grass in our hair. The fans went crazy with excitement. Wild women gave free kisses as we worked our way past burning cars, horse-riding policemen, and celebrations to the White Wagon in downtown Motown and some greasy hamburgers. Eventually, we escaped the wild parties and crowds to the safety of Mt. Pleasant.
Jim and I agreed that was the best game ever as did all our newfound friends in the Detroit Tigers stands. Jim, true to his nature, made friends with all the people in the stands behind the Padre’s dugout—a real game!
Carolynn Patterson says
We always tell people that the reason Jim left Michigan for Montana was because he was trying to escape from his 3 sisters. He was clearly out-numbered and I don’t know when he was ever able to get in the bathroom. Back then, the norm was a 1 bathroom home. He was such a great brother, somehow he convinced me that mowing the lawn and selling his cub scout candy was fun. I will truly miss that odd sense of humor and even the rabbit ears in every photo. The best thing that ever happened to Jim (besides his 3 wonderful sisters) was marrying Bev. We all breathed a sign of relief and I think we sent Bev a sympathy card.
Jim and Barb Benish says
Bev wrote a wonderful tribute to Jim. When I see his hat, I recall the “golf tournaments” Bev and Jim, and Barb and I had at Foxridge Golf Course. With his quiet humor, he would toss his hat to the ground after barely missing a birdie putt. Jim always informed us at the start of the round what the name and trophy would be for the day. He was the best golfer of the four of us, and his gentle advice was always helpful. We will miss going to movies, sharing dinners, and playing games together.
Vicki Hail says
Jim was a soft spoken, kind generous man with a wry, dry sense of humor and all around nice guy. He always called me kiddo and he did the last time I saw him. He will be greatly missed.
I’m so sorry to see him go.
Earl Griffith says
I first met Jim when I was at MSU working on my Master’s degree and I took a class in environmental regulations from Jim. Though we didn’t always agree, the discussions made excellent fodder for the rest of the class. Then in 1982 I took a job with the Facility Siting Bureau of DNRC and who should be there but Jim. I had the good fortune to work with Jim and several other very fine professionals during the heady days of power plant construction at Colstrip. His wry sense of humor and global perspective on Montana’s place in energy development always permeated our Facility Siting discussions. I will miss his ever present smile and willingness to debate about the latest environmental issue.
Scott McCollough says
A good guy. I will miss our mediocre conversations (his terminology). And, commiserations re our aging jock statuses. Rest well, my friend. See the rest of ya’ll on 11/8.
Chris and Jess Rose says
Sympathy and our prayers are with you during this time of loss. Jim was a wonderful, friendly man. He will be missed.
db antos says
Very sorry. Jimmy will be missed. He was thoughtful, sensitive, witty, fun, competitive, smart, realistic, helpful and lucky to have Bev. My brother, Tommy, and I will not be able to attend the gathering at the Windbag due to travels. Please accept my condolences and congratulations on getting through a major ordeal with grace/style/coolness. We are very fortunate to have a band of friends and families that make these inevitable ordeals possible to endure. Life will go on and i hope our band of friends and families continues to provide support and joy.
Gavin Feiger says
It’s hard to put the loss into words. It’s always unfair when a loved one leaves us before their time, but this sure seems especially unfair. Jim was such a young, healthy, kind, generous person. He always welcomed us into his home and was fully of witty one-liners and remarks. While he left behind a lot of amazing friends and loved ones, he also left lasting impressions on all of us and positive energy from Michigan to Arizona to Montana. Miss you, Jim!
Linda Talbott, Montana Public Radio says
All of us at Montana Public Radio are so sorry for your loss, Bev and family and friends.
Billie Stanley says
Jim came and played Bridge with us at the Senior Center. We enjoyed his company, even tho He was not a regular but would come when I called if he could. We played this past Tuesday and many remembered him and how much he enjoyed the game. Our thoughts are with you and all his family and friends, and wanted to let you know your loss is felt by us at the bridge table.
Larry Middagh says
I met Jim Boyer shortly after moving to Helena in the fall of 1978. There were a number of things that we had in common, but the real bond between us grew from our love of the game of baseball. I had stationed a Baseball Encyclopedia (complete lifetime statistics for every player who ever appeared in the major leagues) on the back bar and Jimmy would constantly try to find reasons (trivia, wagers) to ask the bartender for the “Big Book”, aka “the Bible”. It was during this time that Jim initiated what was to become the standard Windbag bet of “a buck and a beer”.
In the fall of 1980, I read an article in Inside Sports magazine about a group of guys in New York who got together and built “fantasy” baseball teams by “buying” major league players and then using their players’ collective statistics to determine which fantasy owner had built the best team. I thought of Boyer immediately and couldn’t wait to share the article with him. Within weeks the second oldest fantasy baseball league in the World, the Capital League, was born.
I do not have the proof to back this up, but I know for a fact that JB finished in first place in the league at least a dozen times over the next 35 years. Furthermore, I’m fairly sure that you could count on one hand the number of times that Jimmy failed to finish in the money. (The top four finishers shared the winners’ pool.) Nobody else even comes close to his dominance. It was uncanny how he could get a career year out of some average player that nobody else wanted. His real skill, however, and a big part of his success, was his ability to trade his dogs for someone else’s rising star. His power of persuasion was robust. And he was a great “closer”. He could have been a highly successful used car salesman.
Jim soon pointed out that the baseball season provided great fun for about six months but left us floundering around for suitable entertainment the other half of the year. He suggested that a fantasy basketball league, using NBA players and the same format as with the baseball league, would go a long way toward keeping us warm in the winter. This helped to increase the fantasy brotherhood. Although many of the fantasy baseball owners jumped into the NBA game, this new game also brought a number of additional faces into the ever-widening circle of Windbag regulars.
Jimmy, as was his wont, kept coming up with new ideas, new forms of entertainment to keep the regular patrons engaged. How about a Windbag softball team? (Sure!) How about a Windbag Golf Tournament? (Huh?) Now, I’m not sure that the golf tourney was solely Jimmy’s idea. There is a good chance that this idea was cooked up with the help of the fertile minds of Bob Wood and George Olsen. All I know, is that Jimmy suggested it to me, and suffice it to say, the tourney was an immediate hit. Replete with the mostly-green sports jacket (to the winner), it became an annual event that many looked forward to.
Looking back, those early days of the Windbag were a special time. Magical almost. The “Bag” became more than just a place to grab a beer or dive into a burger. It was more like a never-ending family gathering. Surrogate perhaps, but family nonetheless, and Jimmy was an integral part in the creation of that family. He was constantly on the lookout for things we could do that would keep us all together for as long as possible. He nurtured the newly born Bag baby like a doting mother.
Mother Boyer was a sweet man. He always had a smile on his face, always in a good mood. He didn’t let things he couldn’t control bother him for very long. He had the remarkable trait of looking for the humor in all situations, even difficult ones. He didn’t make negative comments about other people, and I think that was because he just plain liked people, all people. He certainly loved hanging out and engaging in mediocre conversation. And smiling like the cat that just ate the canary. We’re sure gonna miss him…..and that grin.
Charlie Hail says
I believe I met Jim in 1980 when he was engaged in his consulting gig and I was working in the City/County Area wide Planning office. He was very helpful in providing his perspective on issues such as the then 5 proposals for shopping centers in and around Helena. His knowledge, optimism, and humor that he shared was quite impressive. Over the years we met often on the softball field where he did his best to rattle me at the plate while he was on the mound. It was great fun! Years later I took great pleasure in golfing with him, generally unsuccessful at emulating his slow deliberate approach on the course. Jim also beat me at remaining a bachelor until he was 60. (I thought I was a late bloomer.) He and Bev made a great couple. Jim was imply as fine a human being as I have ever met.
Bob Kiesling says
We’ve lost a fabulous friend and a fertile mind. Jimbo teased you with back-handed insults that in most cases were one-off from being compliments. He had a keen mind for a wide range of intellectual interests… economics, politics, urban design,…. many more topics than just sports for which he was best known. Fortunately all those Saturday morning breakfasts at the No Sweat Cafe for which mediocre conversation was the point, did nothing to dull the keen mind that lay behind one of the world’s great ironic and mischievous smiles.
Nancy Leigh says
Bev,
We were so very sorry to hear of Jim’s passing and send you our heartfelt condolences. We will be holding you in our thoughts and be with you in spirit as you celebrate his life on Sunday. Sending you hugs…
Doug, Nancy, Matt, Kate and Chris
Sandy and Roy Wunderlich says
We have all lost a beautiful soul. Jim was the kindest, sweetest man with the greatest wit. We so enjoyed spending time with him and Bev – you could see and feel the love and respect they had for each other. Bev, we are so deeply saddened for this tremendous loss. Know that we are here for you.
Bob and Una Tyng says
Jim was my best friend’s soulmate. Ever since we had the pleasure of meeting Jim, we could tell they were meant for each other. Never saw so much happiness and love between them throughout the short amount of time they were together. Of all the fond memories and laughs we shared, the best time was last year on our trip through Northern Idaho traveling into Canada on the Selkirk Loop. Jim’s wit and dry sense of humor made this trip so memorable and entertaining. We shared fun golf trips and just chilling. There were many places to go and things to see that didn’t happen. We will miss you Jim and you are forever in our hearts and memories. Bev, we are always here for you!!! RIP Jim.
Cora Helm says
I had the privilege of working with Jim on a traffic noise project more than 10 years ago. I found him incredibly insightful, and a man who thoroughly enjoyed his work. We had many lively discussions during the time I worked with him. I was saddened when he had to cut his work on the project short due to his seizures.
— I’m so sorry for your loss, but so grateful Jim lived fully for as long as he could, in spite of his limitations.
Ben Mundie says
I was looking for JB’s email address to reconnect, now that the Cubbies are playing in October (10-18-16). His Obit came up on a google search. I am stunned.. I missed him by 362 days.
JB WAS the Baseball Bible. I still cherish the nickname he bestowed upon me – Jet.
I am stunned.