James A. Kaufman
James A. Kaufman died Saturday, April 9, after a several-month struggle with congestive heart failure.
Jim was proudest of his 64-year marriage to his lifelong partner, Heleyn M. Kaufman, who survives. They were married at St. Joseph’s Church in Butte on Thanksgiving Day in 1946. He was a loving father to his four children, Greg, Linda Grimm (Carlton), Terri and Cynde (Duard Svee). His five grandchildren and one great grandchild were the light of his life. They are Travis Hert and his son, Damien, of Billings; Kirsten, Sarah and Gus Kaufman of Miles City, and Derek Grimm of Denver.
Jim served a proud 30-year career in management and marketing with The Montana Power Company, culminating in a statewide industrial marketing position during which he enjoyed working with the company’s largest industrial customers. Jim was a master electrician and spent the majority of his career in Billings working to provide for the safe, efficient and cost-effective electrical needs of many industrial, commercial and residential customers in the greater Yellowstone Valley. He retired in 1988 and often talked about how devastated he was by the demise of Montana Power.
His educational credits included receiving his Master Electrician’s license in March of 1967, and graduating from the University of Idaho Utility Management program, General Electric Appliance Sales College in 1962 and the International Correspondence School’s Electric Light and Power course in 1959. He also worked for General Electric Supply in Butte; Graybar Electric, who transferred him from Butte to Billings in 1953, and for Montana Power from 1958 until his retirement.
Always a United States Marine, Jim was proud of his service during World War II. And always a Butte native, where he was born June 25, 1925, he had many entertaining stories about his days in that great city. In recent years he and Heleyn divided their time between Billings and Honolulu, HI. They returned from Honolulu in March.
He was involved in Rotary International Downtown Billings Club, where he was chosen Rotarian of the Year for 2006-2007. He especially enjoyed working in Rotary’s low-income housing construction program. He also was proud to be a life member in Silver Bow American Legion Post #1, and the Billings Elks Lodge and truly enjoyed visiting the Elks Lodge facility on Waikiki Beach. Jim and Heleyn also were very involved with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Yellowstone Park, where they loved to boat and fish.
Additional family members who survive him are his sister-in-law, Mickey Miller of Butte, his daughter-in-law, Julie Kaufman of Miles City and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Greg; parents, Albert and Kathryn (Tot) Kaufman; his in-laws, Carl and Elsie Miller; his brother-in-law, Roy Miller; his sister-in-law, Grayce Siladi, and many dear friends and fellow Marines.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Billings Elks Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 20302, Billings, MT 59104-0302, Billings Headstart, any charity supporting the fight against breast cancer, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Family will be receiving friends for fellowship and the casket will be open for visitation from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 A.M., Thursday, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church with Rite of Committal and military honors at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park.
Remembrances
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