We will remember our Uncle Jim as someone who knew something about everything and had never met a stranger. He welcomed everyone he met with open arms and made Trey feel like he was truly part of the family. 

I will never forget dancing with him at our wedding during the dollar dance, or seeing him and Aunt Carol winning the “longest couple” contest and the advice he gave.

The times at family reunions, weddings, or get togethers were always a great time with him. Trey will never forget walking around Downtown Butte and hearing the stories and history of the town while sipping scotch with him. 

We will miss you, Uncle Jim. 

Love ,

Holly and Trey

Jim was a fine man... a great Lind community member, a wonderful family man, and a good friend. We will always cherish our very special memories of the times we all spent together.

Jim, Patsy and I were at our aunt Mary’s and uncle Frank’s house one summer day in 1957.
I was 7 and Jim and Patsy were in their early teens and they were planning something to ruin my day!  Anyway, I caught them talking about some plan to wreck havoc on me. I moved towards Mary’s front door except the screen was closed. They thought they had me as they started running towards me, well I took off and started running.... It took me about 15 minutes to put the screen back in the door while they were laughing! 

Jim was my high school football coach and business teacher in the early to mid seventies. He had a way to get your attention. He'd grab your facemask and slightly twist. You then listened.  He was a tough but good man. I'll never forget him.

When I think of Jim, I see him in his chair with a book.  He loved to read and had an active mind.  I always found him to be Comfort in the midst of so many voices and people.  I enjoyed him, his stories and just talking with him.  You are missed Jim. 

Through  my Daughter Jessica I met Jim. He opened his arms to my family immediately. We were invited to all the Shea's holiday festivities and we have fond memories with Jim and his family. After he passed I watched my Daughter grieve and it hurt me so, but I was glad she got to have an adopted Grandpa to fill the void as my Father died when I was fairly young. Everyone who met Jim will always remember who he was.
RIP JIM.

My memories of my Uncle Jim are so special to me I will cherish them for the rest of my life. My first memories have Jim and Carol in them because I spent so much time with them I thought I was their first child. I always had the best conversations with him and he was always interested in how I was doing and what was going on in my life. Even when we didn’t talk for a period of time it never seemed like any time had passed. I loved hearing his stories but as the years went on we had heard most of them before. I would listen to them again like it was the first time just to be with him. I can not believe I will never hear another Uncle Jim story. I learned so much from him. He gave great hugs. I knew he would always be there for me if I ever needed him. I am so happy I have the memories from the cruise in February and of him and Carol playing the newlywed game. They killed it with their answers and had the audience laughing the whole time. Jim was belly laughing at Carol. They were the adorable couple they always are. Of course they won! I hugged him super tight and told him how much I loved him when he left my house after the cruise just Incase. I am so glad I did since I was 3 days short of seeing him when he passed away. Love and miss you bunches Uncle Jim😘💜😘💜😘💜

I remember my auntie Bev’s little brother Jimmy when I was a little girl. When we would visit Butte and play with my cousins, Jimmy would be around teasing us. I met him again a year and a half ago when I was in Arizona for Ian. He had so many stories about Butte and relatives. It was so fun to listen to him. He was a Great guy. I’m so sorry for all of you and your loss of your husband, dad, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and uncle. May God bless you all in this time of Great sorrow. Much love to all of you.

When I met Jim, he was watching Jeopardy.  Watching may not be the correct word, Playing Jeopardy, is more appropriate.  He would call out the answers at the television prior to any contestant, only pausing to take a bite of his evening snack, Saltines and butter.  He won many an episode but has yet to collect his winnings. It was early in the evening and this was what he did between jobs.   I believe, he was teaching at one school during the day and doing the books at another.   He enjoyed teaching and working at technical schools, but this was not always easy on him or the family.  Many schools started up and then quickly closed down causing Jim to change jobs or look for something temporary to fill in.  He never complained and he never put his ego between him and doing whatever was necessary to make sure Carol didn’t have to live in ‘the ghetto.’


I remember him dancing with your mom with love and grace. I remember how happy he was to see me after a few years absence. I remember how both he and your mom welcomed me into your home. I remember all the cars he owned at your house in Orange. I once had to drop him off somewhere and drove on the freeway. I wasn't the best driver and I could tell he was a bit nervous. "You see that truck, right?"

Its not how a person dies its about how a person lives Thanks for the memories JIM love you man.


Dear Carol, We were so sorry to hear about Jim. We've tried to follow along on FB with his disease and treatment, and were very saddened to hear when he lost the battle. Life has so many peaks and valleys. We have, however, been reminiscing about many of the things we all did, especially the gatherings at your house across from the grade school where the rodeo dances and events took place. We remember laughing a lot and having a heck of a lot of fun along the way. Do you remember when we went to a "pool party" after a school dance, only to find the four of us sitting in the dark with a couple candles on the table? As I remember, it didn't take us long to leave....although we were speechless for a while, we nevertheless laughed for a long time over that particular invitation!  Anyway, please accept our condolences, Carol and know that we all enjoyed knowing Jim, and always respected him for his loyalty to the community and to his students. We also remember all the Butte stories that he so happily shared with us......Thinking about you, Carol, and pray you find peace in your healing. Love, Jim and Carol (Remember, there were three Jim and Carol's in Lind then?) 

I could write a series, more epic than Harry Potter, filled with all the wonderful memories I have of my Papa. But one of my favorites is that every Christmas Eve, during our white elephant gift exchange, if he knew that one of his “baby girls” opened a gift they weren’t fond of, he would steal it from us so we would be able to pick another gift we were happier with. He always wanted to make sure his grandkids were happy. He was the best Papa. 

Papa welcomed me into his heart and his home as his granddaughter when I first met him at twelve years old and I am eternally grateful for his love and acceptance into his family. He’s the only grandpa I ever really knew and I could not have asked for a better one. His loss is felt deeply by all of his family including the Musicants. We will forever love and miss you sweet Papa. 

I am deeply saddened by the news of Jim’s  passing.  Always outgoing and welcoming to all. He was a wonderful man who loved his wife & family above all else.   My heart goes out to Carol who I know will miss him terribly and also to his children & grandchildren.   I send my heartfelt condolences & prayers, with love from Grandma  Monica. 

I met Jim not that long ago, at the memorial for Ian O’Neill in Phoenix. He was a delight, talking about the days back in Butte, MT and recalling times where he met some of my O’Neill relatives there. He was sweet to me and my sister Monica, who had come there from Olympia, WA. We are sending condolences and prayers from our large family here in WA. 

Memorial Service

Carol Shea

Lauri Shea

Pam Lane (John)

Kari Ehrlich (Tim)

OBITUARY

James "Jim" Francis Shea

November 30, 1942 – October 16, 2018

Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary

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