James (Jim) William Bartmess peacefully left this earthly existence on October 11, 2021 due to complications from a stroke.  Jim was born at home in Eucha, Oklahoma on January 26, 1939 to parents Albert (Aber) W. Bartmess and Nevada Arizona (Zona) Ballou. Jim spent his early years on a cattle ranch in Oklahoma where his father worked. Jim honed his skill of accurate firearm shooting at an early age. By age eight, he was hunting squirrels to supplement the family larder. Throughout his life he was known as an avid outdoorsman, providing fish, fowl, & meat, as well as teaching his expertise to anyone who asked. Jim continued to practice and perfect his skills throughout his life. He was close to eighty years old when the sight in his right eye deteriorated. He taught himself to shoot from the left side so he could maintain his skill and enjoy his hobby.  Jim’s mechanical skills were also developed at an early age. He worked in the school bus garage after school to earn funds for his hobbies, graduating from Fontana California High School at age seventeen.  Jim joined the US Navy in 1958. He served as a machinist mate, third class, in the engine rooms of the USS Pictor and the USS Epperson, sailing the Pacific Ocean as part of WESTPAC. He was honorably discharged in 1966.  Jim married Patricia Milsap in 1963 and they had a son, Clifford. In 1968, he married Kay Roberts Bowman and moved to Colorado with Clifford, Kay and her seven children. Jim did not view the two marriages that ended in divorce as failures. He loved Pat and Kay, raised some wonderful children, and learned valuable lessons.  Jim worked for Hewlett-Packard in Loveland, Colorado as a draftsman designer, using his problem-solving and mechanical skills. Later, the family moved to northeast Oklahoma, where he returned to auto mechanics. He could find a job anywhere, he said, just by walking in and showing his grease-stained, hard-working hands.  Jim became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1977. His faith and religious convictions guided him in thought and deed for the rest of his life. At church, he met Barbara Sanborn Gibbs. They were married in 1979, with Barbara bringing her three girls into the family.  In 1980, Jim, Barbara, Cliff and the girls moved to Montana, settling in a home on Wallace Creek, Clinton, Montana. Working for T&W Chevrolet and later for DeMarois Olds GMC, Jim provided for his family and continued to spend as much time outdoors as possible.  Jim was a Scoutmaster for troops affiliated with his church for over a decade. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge and skills with others so they could also survive and thrive in the mountains, as well as develop into good citizens.  Retiring in 2000 from his mechanic work, Jim owned Bridger’s Best, creating black powder shooting accessories and selling them to sporting goods stores.  He began to serve his community as a volunteer first responder for the Clinton Rural Fire Department, volunteering for over twelve years.  In 2009, Jim and Barbara went on an extended church mission to serve the people of the Navajo Nation. Jim considered this experience one of the highlights of his life. They also completed a two-year service mission with the LDS temple in Spokane, WA.  A devoted father, he raised eleven children from three families. He often referred to the kids as "his, hers, mine, ours and strays".  Jim was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Louvernia and Melvina, and son Larry Bowman. He is survived by his wife of forty-two years, Barbara, children Clifford Bartmess, Gary Bowman, Jim Bowman, Marilyn Pope, Cindy McBroom, Brenda Moffet, Carolyn Young, Sharelyn Lewis, Nissa Gibbs, and Joyce Gibbs, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Cremation has taken place. Should one wish to honor him, in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Red Cross.

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James Bartmess Obituary | Just Cremation