James "Jim" Peter McFarlane

James (Jim) Peter McFarlane, our beloved husband, father, brother, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at home on August 4th, 2026, with his family at his side. Jim was born April 23, 1940, in Nebraska and moved to Missoula with his family when he was two years old. He had a wonderful childhood growing up across the street from Bonner Park and spent many happy days there with his childhood friends and neighbors. His mother had a whistle hanging by the front door so she could summon him from adventures to come home for meals and bedtime. Jim was an active Boy Scout and he earned many honors in that organization. He attended Paxson Grade School and for several years spent his early mornings before school riding miles on his bicycle delivering newspapers around the neighborhood.

Jim graduated from Hellgate High School where he played football and became an avid, forever Montana Grizzlies fan. Jim was also involved in DeMolay (a youth leadership fraternity with Masonic roots) and was elected the Master Councilor during one of his high school years. From age two on, Jim was very active in Holy Spirit Episcopal Church serving as an acolyte in his youth and later taking care of the church lawn for almost 30 years.

Jim attended the University on Montana where he was an member of Sigma Chi fraternity. In 1963 Jim enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He thoroughly enjoyed his time in the Marine Corps and his favorite deployment was spending a year in Japan. Jim was a proud, dedicated, hard-working Marine and was at the top of his class. As a result, he received an alternate appointment to the United States Naval Academy from Senator Mike Mansfield. However, after his honorary discharge from the Marine Corp, Jim decided to come back to his Missoula home and continue his education at U of M in business administration while he worked at Beach Transportation.

A true outdoors man, Jim decided that he absolutely needed to be in the sunshine to thrive and he started one of the first automated lawn services in Missoula. Through the years he branched out to include all types of lawn care, pruning, building decks, landscaping, installing and refurbishing sprinkler systems, and snow removal. Hot or cold, Jim loved being outside and always called a green, weed free, meticulously cared for lawn "instant gratification."

Jim's biggest joy in life was his family and nothing was more important to him. He married Carmen DeSilva on July 31, 1971, and they had two daughters which made Jim a very proud, happy "Girl Dad". He was a wonderful father and wholeheartedly participated in family life in every way possible. Then, compounding his happiness, he became a grandfather in 2005 and 2010. No one could be a more loving, enthusiastic, proud, hands-on grandpa than Jim. He enjoyed every single minute he spent with his grandchildren and relished every opportunity to watch them grow and participate in their activities. He made countless trips around the Northwest to take in his grandson's track meets and his granddaughter's gymnastics competitions.

Jim's legacy is that he was truly a good human being in every way. He flashed a big, broad smile to everyone he met and was kind, thoughtful, considerate, and loving. He had a strong work ethic and lived a life of integrity with a clear-cut sense of right and wrong. Jim had endless patience and once went on Disneyland's Small World ride 7 times in a row to please his youngest daughter. Another time he was chaperoning a kindergarten field trip to the M when his first daughter hurt her foot. Rather than let her miss out on the class climb, he carried her piggyback all the way up to the M. Jim felt he was a very lucky man in life and he always looked at the glass half full. He cherished his blessings and was grateful for each day. In addition, Jim almost always found the good in others and rarely said a bad word about anyone.

Jim leaves behind his wife, Carmen; his daughters, Kelly Shields and Julie McFarlane; his grandchildren, Alex Shields (Cali Ousley) and Julianna Shields; and his sister, Janet McFarlane Tiffany of Great Falls. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and "Mac" McFarlane and his brother-in-law, Stanley Tiffany. We loved Jim beyond measure, he will be deeply missed, and he will be forever and always be in our hearts.