James Violette
courtesy photo
James Violette
POLSON — James (Jim) Glenn Violette, age 84, died peacefully at home on Friday, July 8, 2022, after a short illness. He was born Jan. 17, 1938, in Missoula, to Sherman and Josephine (Arpan) Violette. The family moved to Polson after Sherman’s passing, where Jim loved playing basketball with big brother Don and where he met the love of his life, Sharron (Sadie) Thompson. He graduated from Montana State College in Bozeman in August of 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Earth Science, and he an Sharron married on Oct. 19, 1963.
Jim had an amazing military career, with two years in the US Navy stationed on the USS Randolph and over 18 years in the US Air Force. He flew 100 missions as a Wild Weasel in North Vietnam as an F-105 Electronic Warfare Officer. He also flew in F-4s and B-52s. Together Jim and Sharron traveled the world raising their family on military bases in Texas, California, Nevada, North Dakota, Florida, and Virginia, and overseas in Japan, Okinawa, and the Philippines.
Jim retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and the family returned to Polson in 1982. He worked the family potato farm with his stepfather Paul Fleming, brother Don and son Jim Jr. until his second retirement in 1993. He enjoyed eating out, visiting with friends and family, working on computer projects, and keeping up on the news.
Jim is survived by brother, Paul Fleming Jr.; daughter, Mandy Melgaard (John); son, Jim Jr.; four grandchildren, (Lacey, Brittany, Alyssa, and Sherman); and seven great-grandchildren. In heaven, Jim joins his beloved wife, Sharron; brother, Don; uncle, Ed Violette; his parents; and many other beloved relatives and friends who preceded him in death.
The family extends its heartfelt thanks to St. Joseph Hospital in Polson, Logan Health in Kalispell, St. Patrick Hospital and Foundation in Missoula, and Partners in Home Care (Hospice), for great care and support during his battle with esophageal cancer.
There will be a private burial and a public memorial service honoring both Jim and Sharron. Arrangements are underway and will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Gary Sinise Foundation or Shriner’s Hospitals for Children or the charity of your choice.
Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at: www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.
Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
