James Blow
VIRGINIA — On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, James W. Blow, a beloved dad, grandfather, coach, teacher and retired Naval Officer, passed away. He was sixty-eight. Born to Agnes and Harry Blow on Dec. 29, 1954. James graduated from Emporia High School, class of 1972, and upon graduation he joined the Navy. While in the Navy, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer System Science and attended Electronic ‘A’ Schools in cryptography. His first tour of duty was at the Naval Security Group Activity in Keflavik, Iceland. During this tour he was made a dad with the birth of his son, Eric in 1974. During his time in the Navy, he worked his way from an enlisted to officer over his 25-year career. Upon retiring, he settled in Montana where he worked in Journalism, Photography, firefighting, teaching and coaching.
Jim loved exploring Glacier National Park and would often spend time hiking and photographing the beauty of the park. Never one to sit still, he was a long-time golfer and in recent years became an avid pickleball player. In his spare time, he put his love of coaching to work by coaching football, basketball, volleyball and tennis in youth, middle and high school sports for boys and girls in Montana. Jim was always learning and sharing his knowledge with all. In more recent years, Jim also took to baking - breads, cookies, bagels, scones, sweet rolls, and pies sharing them with pickleball friends, teammates, neighbors, and the kids he coached.
Jim is preceded in death by Harry (father); Agnes (mother); and brothers and sisters, Harry Earnest, Robert, Nelson, Donald, Darlene, Jack, Roy, Ray and Patricia.
Jim is survived by his son, Eric (Val and three grandsons, Caleb, Jackson and Tristan); Harry Blow (brother); Mary Jane Blow (sister); Shirley Headley (sister); Judith Rice (sister) and Brenda Freeman as well as many nephews and nieces.
A celebration of life will be held on Sept. 9, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Holt Stage Hideaway (2053 Holt Stage Road, Kalispell). Service and tributes will begin around 1:30 p.m. with light refreshments and hors d’oeuvres to follow.
There will be time for visitors to share stories that celebrate Jim’s life.
Memorial donations may be directed to Glacier National Park.
