Jim Romenesko

BUTTE James Romenesko, 66, of Butte, formerly of Great Falls, died Saturday, July 28. The family chooses not to disclose the cause of death.Services will be held at Hillcrest Lawn Chapel at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 4, 2012. Axelson Alternative Cremation, Inc. of Butte and Schnider Funeral Home of Great Falls are handling arrangements. Jim was born in Fort Benton to Velma (Ames) and Earl Romenesko on Dec. 26, 1945. He attended early elementary school at a one-room school near the family ranch north of Carter. Later he resided and was schooled at St. Thomas Home in Great Falls. After graduation from Great Falls Central High School in 1964, Jim served in the U.S. Navy on the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany from 1964 to 1969. Upon his return to Montana, he attended the College of Great Falls, graduating in 1973 with a degree in social science and criminal justice.In 1973, he married Echo Pearson. Son John was born in 1976 and David in 1978. He worked in the Children's Center in Twin Bridges until 1975. After moving to Great Falls, he worked for St. Thomas Child and Family Center and later Rice Motors. He served as executive director for St. Vincent DePaul until 1990.He married Mary Ellen Moore of Cascade in 1991. He worked as a paralegal for the Alexander, Baucus and Linnell law office until 2001. During his retirement, he worked as a rural mail carrier in Highwood and Cascade.Woven throughout his life, music was a thread of creativity. Gifted with an ear for playing the guitar and singing, he played and sang with his sisters at rural events in his childhood. He started a band abroad ship in the Navy and later played in local venues during his college years. He especially enjoyed participating in Dixieland music festivals and western swing dance bands. He loved to play in nursing homes and at special community events. He passed his musical talent on by teaching guitar to young and old, including his grandson Eli. To his family and friends, he was the campfire music in the summers and kitchen music in the winters.Jim is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen; sons John and David; stepchildren Matt (Callie) Moore and Jenny Thompson; grandsons Eli Thompson and Caelum Moore; and sisters Barbara (Pat) Barker and Leona (Don) Wade.Often called a true gentlemen and a man who lived with his heart, he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.Condolences may be sent to the Finding Jim Facebook page or posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.