James Bradford Spring

1932-2007

James B. Spring, 74, of Billings, after fighting dementia for more than 10 years, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, May 2. Jim’s life reflected his love of God and family and was rooted in integrity, perseverance and service. He will be missed by many.

Born May 27 in Belgrade, Mont., Jim was the youngest of six children - step brothers Bob and Bill Edens, and sisters Betty, Becky and Flora. His father, George, came from a farming/ranching family and his mother cooked for ranches throughout Gallatin Valley.

Jim attended elementary school in Belgrade, Bozeman and Sheridan, Mont., where he spent the remainder of his school years. There, Jim met the love of his life, Bebe Gemmell, and a beacon of inspiration in her mom, Ida Gemmell.

Jim graduated from Sheridan High School in 1950 as president of the senior class, and with letters in football and basketball. He held two jobs while attending high school. This formed a work ethic and determination to succeed that resonated through his life and career.

One of the few lies Jim told was to get work after high school. He lied about his age to become a forest fire fighter in Idaho. After gathering enough harrowing tales of escaped death to tell future generations, Jim traveled to Fairbanks, Alaska, where he tried to start a home cleaning business, then a painting business. He took work as a land surveyor, and knew he had found a profession.

Once settled, Jim proposed to Bebe. After a December marriage in 1953 and a three month-long honeymoon in California, the couple returned to Fairbanks. Jimmy, the first of four children was born in Fairbanks in 1955. Jim and Bebe, though hardy Montanans, concluded Fairbanks was too cold for too long and too far from family. They settled in Billings in 1956.

Jim joined Sage Engineering as a land surveyor in Billings and within three years, started his own firm, James B. Spring & Associates. The little company struggled at first. Some months Jim had to sell blood to the local blood bank to pay family bills, but he and Bebe persevered. As the company grew, he partnered with two respected engineers to form Christian, Spring, Sielbach & Associates to offer civil engineering and land surveying services. The company established offices in five states and served clients nationwide. Managing the growing business meant more time on the road, so Jim learned to fly a plane so he could return home to family faster.

Jim’s family grew too, Jeff, Janet and Joel were born in Billings. The four Spring kids grew up with Jim and Bebe encouraging them to try numerous sports and theatrical activities. One of Jim’s favorite phrases was "you’ll never know unless you try." Worshiping and knowing God was central to the family and they attended the First Presbyterian Church. Jim served as an Elder and on the board of Trustees for three 3-year terms. He also served on committees to build and maintain the church’s camp at Westminster Spires outside of Red Lodge.

Professionally, Jim was a charter member of the Montana Association of Registered Land Surveyors and served as president in 1966. He was a member of the Montana Technical Council and served as its president for two years. Jim also served in the Billings Chamber of Commerce, was on the board of directors and served as president in 1982. He also served on the boards of the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Rocky Mountain College and the Montana Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors

Respected for his counsel, clear thinking and concern for the community, Jim was selected by Montana Governor Ted Schwinden in 1982 to chair a task force of private business executives to study and recommend changes to the Executive branch of state government. Jim also served in a similar capacity to study the City of Billings, Yellowstone County and School District No. 2.

Early in their marriage, Jim promised Bebe that they would travel... and they did, usually in the company of family or close friends, to Mexico, the British Isles, Taiwan, Japan and the Panama Canal, and nearly every state in the nation.

His personal passion became fishing. He caught fish from Mazetlan, Mexico to the Canadian Northern Territories and dozens of tributaries in Montana. His license plate read "JSFishin." He always had a fishing pole tucked in the car trunk... just in case.

He is survived by loving wife Bebe, and four children and their families: Jim (Sherri) with grandchildren April, Shelly, Jill, all in Phoenix and Jo Lynne and Bill in Billings; Jeff (Joanne) with grandchildren Jared, Justin and Julia , Yorba Linda, Calif.; Janet Brown (Marv) Billings children Heather, Megan, Brittney ; Joel (Lila) and grandchildren Hunter and Halle all in Billings. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters: Bob Edens (Geri), San Marino, Calif.; Bill Edens (Carol), Portland; Betty Beaudoin (Lou), Butte; Becky Downey, Bozeman; and Flora Groth (Chad), Bozeman. He also has seven great-grandchildren.

The family thanks the staff at St. Johns Nursing Home and Dr. Neal Sorensen for their care. Memorials can be made in Jim’s name to the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation, P.O. Box 80807, Billings, 59108 or the Eagle Rock Sanctuary c/o First Presbyterian Church, 13^th and Poly, Billings 59102.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial services are 2 p.m., Monday, May 7, at First Presbyterian Church.