Thomas James 'Jim' Tannehill, 86
Thomas James “Jim” Tannehill, 86, passed away on Friday, Jan. 21, 2011, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.
He was born on Oct. 18, 1924, in Helena. At the age of 18 months he was adopted by Myrtle and Thomas P Tannehill.
He lived on a ranch east of Roundup and attended area schools, graduating from Roundup High School in 1942. After graduation, Jim went to work hauling grain from Kansas to the Canadian border.
In 1946 he served in the Army of Occupation in Japan.
Jim married Ruby Anderson in Seattle on Dec. 27, 1953.
Jim went to work for Urbanec Motors in Glendive, in January of 1950. He was in the car business until retirement in 1999. He and his family moved to Kalispell in 1970 where he worked as a sales manager for Rygg Ford. He and Sterling Rygg were partners in G & R Volkswagen and later Tannehill Auto Center. Jim later worked for DePratu Ford, Volkswagen & Audi in Whitefish.
Jim was active in various service organizations, including Jaycees, Kiwanis, and as a board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
He was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell. Jim was an accomplished auctioneer. He enjoyed sharing his talent at church auctions and other charity functions.
He enjoyed playing golf and spending time at the cabin on Ashley Lake. He was proud of getting a hole-in-one in 2003.
Jim is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and Gary Morrison; two sons and their wives, Scott and Martha Tannehill, and Tom and Lisa Tannehill; seven grandchildren, A.J. and Jon Peters, Greg Morrison and his wife Jenny, Holly and Megha Tannehill, and Kelsey and Kyle Tannehill; one sister, Myrtle, and husband, Don Leuschen; one sister-in-law, Marie Anderson; and one brother-in-law, Floyd, and wife, Judy, Anderson; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his special friend, Marion Dickman, of Columbia Falls.
A special thanks to the staff at Bojangle’s where Jim enjoyed eating breakfast for many years and his friends at Spencer's, his favorite dinner place.
Jim's family wishes to thank the staff at Immanuel Lutheran Home for their caring support and help in the last year.
The family suggests that memorials be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 603 S. Main St., Kalispell, MT 59901; or Immanuel Lutheran Home, 185 Crestline Avenue, Kalispell, MT 59901; or the charity of the donor's choice.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with Pastor Mark Gravrock presiding. Burial will follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. There will be a visitation from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Jim's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Jim's guest book, offer condolences and share memories.