Jim L. Rogers

Chainsaw Sculptor, Jim L. Rogers, 82, of Missoula, passed away on Saturday, June 1, 2025, at his home in Ovando, MT.

Jim was born on Oct. 3r 1942, to Herman and Maizie (Morrison) Rogers. He was educated at Prescott School and later, Missoula County High. What is now Hellgate High School. He excelled in athletics and that seemed to be one of his favorite memories of high school. Along with his musical abilities, which he often thought would be his career pathway in life.

However, due to family circumstances, at the age of seventeen, he joined the United States Navy and proudly served for 4 years. He often spoke of the open seas, the countries he was privileged to visit, Japan, Okinawa, Hong Kong, etc. and the diving he loved so much.

Upon his return from service, he worked many types of labor jobs. In his words, "I did anything you could be fired from in Missoula." The list includes, logger, several mills, (many positions in those mills), aerial photographer for an ad agency and Rainbow vacuum salesman, and a 2-day stint as a garbage collector. For which, Jim was granted the honor of keeping anything of value, except the edibles, which were to go to the driver, as he had a bunch of kids to feed. Yuck.

In 1965, he married Rebecca Dreamer in Missoula, and together they had three sons. Forrest, Darin and Brent.

He was always an avid hunter and fisher man and could talk for hours about hunting stories and fish tails. In the early 1970's, he started his long-haul truck driving career. But he missed his kids too much and got off the road and came back home.

This was about the time in his life, where he had a few run ins with the law. Being a serious drinker for part of his childhood and all his adulthood, up until now, more than once he had to appear before Judge Wally Clark and Wally would sentence him to AA meetings. With a catch...he had to deliver a signed note, by the meeting chair, EVERY day. It came to be that Jim would fold the note into a paper airplane and sale it into Judge Clarks courtroom (while in session). 

One of these sentences also included a counselor by the name of Cliff Potts. Cliff was instrumental in helping Jim to turn his life around and stop drinking at the age of 31. Being an artist, Cliff invited Jim to his home where he helped him learn to sculpt in clay and encouraged him to pursue a career in art.

He began his schooling at the University of Montana in Missoula but later transferred to Eastern Montana College in Billing. He and his first wife divorced, but he remained a devoted father, seeing and caring for his three sons daily. He studied Drawing and Design and because of the influence of many brilliant instructors, such as Cliff Potts, Walter Hook, and Ben Steel, all who he remained close friends throughout his life, he found his calling in sculpture. Jim was in fact, being groomed as an Art professor for Eastern, but decided to go out on his own, as he hated the adage, that "Those that can't...teach." He started to explore his artistic ability and found that he could increase his sculpting speed with the chainsaws that he had used in the woods all those years ago. And so was borne Jim L. Rogers the Chainsaw Sculptor. Who knew there were college educated chainsaw carvers?

In the winter of 1977, he met his future wife, Bonnie Stromberg, and they were married in Oct of 1979 in Minnesota. Together, they had two sons, Laffe, and Ice. In 1981 the entire family moved back to MT where most have remained to this day.

Jim, with the help of his family, has carved hundreds of original pieces that have traveled around the world. A few local pieces here in MT are, Meriwether Lewis and his dog Seaman, in Bonner, MT. The famous Cowgirl in the beer mug on the roof at KT Saloon in Lolo. (Both the past and present, which turned out to be his last piece.) The Crucifix at the St. Ann's Catholic Church also in Bonner. General Custer, which was in the Heidel House Restaurant for years and now resides back in his own home. Several pieces in and on the Lumber Jack Saloon up Lolo. The life-sized mule at the remount station at 9 Mile, as well as countless jewelry pieces, scrimshawed and carved out of Ivory and antler. And hundreds of other carvings privately owned, here in MT as well as across the country and around the world.

Jim was extremely proud of his 51 years of sobriety and was instrumental in leading dozens of people across the country to a sober life. One of his greatest pleasures was passing down one of his old AA coins to someone he loved.

He relished anything to do with the outdoors, gold panning, camping, star watching, and of course fishing and hunting. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandkids as they brought out the best in him.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, is baby son, Laffe, great granddaughter Natashia and daughter-in-law Jill, and very recently, his granddaughter's husband, Shane.

Jim is survived by his wife of 45 yrs, Bonnie. His four sons and spouses, Forrest (Laura), and children Kyle and Caitlin, Darin and children, Mariah and Lee, Brent (Joanna), and children Tracy, Joseph and Tanner and Ice (Lisa) and children Cecilia and Vivienne. And eight great grandchildren. 

A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, August 23, from 11:00 to 2:00 at the Red Barn, 1305 Haaglund Dr., Milltown, MT, 59851. It will be a potluck with meat provided. If you knew Jim or have a piece that he carved, please bring photos of it and help us to share stories and celebrate the life and artistry of Jim L. Rogers.