James William Pittaway

James (Jim) William Pittaway passed away of long-term health complications in his Missoula home on May 21, 2024 at the age of 77.

Jim was born October 3, 1947, in Long Beach, California to James William Pittaway Sr. and Jane Lenore Williams. He was raised in several military communities including Long Beach and San Francisco, California; Charleston, South Carolina; and Bangkok, Thailand. A graduate of Asian Anthropology Studies at the University of California Berkeley, Jim then worked for a number of years in the East Asian countries of Thailand and Myanmar as a systems analyst, mining developer and garment producer. Through the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Harvard Divinity School, Jim developed a program for scholars to tour global religious sites in various countries. At the end of the Vietnam War, which he protested with activists at Berkeley, Jim worked as special advisor for Army General Richard Stillwell. He helped develop the English as a Second Language program at the Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (F.I.A.T.) and worked as a congressional lobbyist representing Myanmar, Thailand and the Middle East. Jim enjoyed playing and watching golf, discussing politics, researching history and writing investigative articles. His journalism has appeared in various daily newspapers and national magazines including The Atlantic, The Washington Post and American Conservative Magazine.

Jim and Mary Himmelsbach-Feuersinger were married in a small gathering at Greenough Park in Missoula, Montana, 1994. Jim then served as an addiction treatment counselor and psychotherapist in Missoula and on the Flathead Native American Indian Reservation helping people with substance abuse problems. Jim spent 30 years of happiness living in the Lincoln Hills neighborhood on Mount Jumbo.

Jim leaves behind his wife Mary Pittaway; daughter Leila Pittaway 49 (Fabio Fratracelli) La Morra, Italy; stepson Hans Feuersinger 46 (Gabrielle) San Francisco, California; stepson Kurt Feuersinger 44 Spokane Valley, Washington; and a loving Labradoodle dog, Lucy. Surviving siblings include Nancy Fetzer (Wesley), George Pittaway (Martha), Geoff Pittaway (Shirley) and Peter Pittaway. Jim’s family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the many family members, friends and health providers who loved, cared for and comforted Jim over the years. Cremation has taken place. At Jim’s request, there will be no funeral services.