The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

ames Edward "Big Jim" Inman earned his angel wings on January 1, 2024. Jim was born to Bob and Nancy Inman at Sacred Heart Hospital in Havre on June 12th, 1949 joining his older brother Joe at the family home in Chinook. Jim was the second oldest of 10 siblings. He was very proud of his wild and crazy family!! Having lived his entire life in Chinook he was a great Sugarbeeter fan!

His life-long love of sports began at an early age when he played Little League baseball then as manager of the Chinook Sugarbeeters basketball team including the 1968 Class B State Championship team. Jim was always a big sponsor of local teams and kept the softball tournaments in Chinook and Harlem very busy. He and his friends never missed a WIT (Western Invitational Tournament) Basketball Tournament in Lewistown. He loved the L. A. Lakers, Notre Dame "Fighting Irish", Green Bay Packers and the New York Yankees. If you had a football, basketball or baseball question he knew the answer and the statistics. He was an avid collector of sports memorabilia.

Jim was a hard worker his entire life. If someone needed help, he always stepped up. While in high school he worked for Bill Young bucking bales (haying), mowed many Chinook lawns, and delivered newspapers. After working for Taylor Motors, City of Chinook and operating the Chinook Dray business, he started Chinook Disposal Service which he owned and operated from 1981 until selling the business in 2016. Although he was retired, he was still willing to help whoever needed him. Everyone sent him home with delicious goodies!! He especially loved Nancy DePriest's wonderful cinnamon rolls!

Jim was a proud and active member of the Chinook Lion's Club and the Chinook Eagles 689.

He always had a smile on his face and was always ready to give you a bad time. He loved to tease. If Jim didn't know you, he would introduce himself and soon you would be friends. He knew just about everyone in Chinook and who belonged to who!

Jim moved to the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home in February of 2021. He loved spending time with the residents and nurses. We thank them for their wonderful care of "Big Jim".

Jim is survived by his stepdaughter Danielle Golie; his siblings Joe (Susan), Mary Inman-Freund, Tom (Roxie), Pat (Ingrid), Margaret Reid (Brian) Mike, Kathy Inman-Miller (Ric), Nancy Moriarty (Doug), and his many nieces and nephews, as well as his special friend Tiny Gladue.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Nancy Inman, brother David, nephew Shawn Inman and brother in-law Ron Freund.

You will always be remembered Big Jim. You were the light of our world.

Friends joined the family on Friday, January 5th at St. Gabriel's Church in Chinook for rosary at 7:00 PM and the Liturgy of the Resurrection was celebrated at St. Gabriel's Saturday, January 6th at 10:00am followed by a reception in the parish hall. Interment was at Kuper Memorial Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to Sweet Memorial Nursing Home, PO Box 1149, Chinook, Mt. 59523, PAWS(Pets Are Worth Saving) PO Box 132 Chinook, MT 59523; or the non-profit of your choice.