James A. Miars

James A. Miars "Jim" passed away surrounded by family on February 11, 2026 after a long fight with kidney and heart disease.

Jim was born in Forsyth Montana on May 3rd, 1960 to Clayton and Kathleen Miars. He was the seventh of ten children. Jim grew up in Forsyth and enjoyed playing basketball. He won many awards including "Basketballs Best Defensive Player" in 1977. In High school he played basketball all four years, football for one year, and track for two years

In 1981 he met and later married Joan Daly. They had one child, Caitlin, born October 31st, 1985. The marriage ended in 1987, and Jim moved to California for work. He spent several years working, enjoying the sun, riding rollercoasters and meeting lifelong friends down in California.

Jim moved back to Forsyth in 1991 to be close to family and his daughter Caitlin. He spent his time fishing, camping and enjoying the outdoors. He was always up for a bike ride down the "Nature Trail" or on top of the dyke along the Yellowstone River. He loved hunting for fossils and picking wild asparagus.

Not long after returning to Montana Jim began having health problems. Due to this he decided he needed a career change and attended Miles City Community College. He later moved to Billings and transferred to MSU Billings. He graduated with his bachelor's in business in 2001.

After college, he began his career with the State of Montana working for the Department of Transportation. He loved his job and coworkers eventually becoming a bridge inspector. This position allowed him to travel and explore bridges all over this side of Montana. He loved knowing every side road to nowhere. Due to his ongoing health issues, he retired after 18 dedicated years.

In the years after retirement, he spent his time visiting friends and family as often as possible. He biked and rode his side by side all over the state. He fished with his brothers and sisters. He had breakfast every Sunday with a close friend

Jim will be remembered for his thoughtfulness and kindness. He loved to bring treats to his nurses and was always around to lend a helping hand or give advice. Jim, dad, papa was incredibly generous and loved to spoil his daughter and granddaughters Kyrie and Avalyn every Christmas and Birthday, or really any time he just felt like it.

Jim loved to tease. He had a passion for cooking. There is not enough space to truly tell his story. But those who knew him know Jim loved deeply and fought hard to stay here with us as long as he could. He is loved and his absence will be felt eternally.

He is survived by his daughter Caitlin Kuczynski, son-in-law Eric, whom he treated like a son. His much-adored granddaughters Kyrie and Avalyn. There is nothing he would not have one for them. His many siblings Mary (Dick) Chandler, Jane (Nick) Morris, Patti (Irv) May, Cheryl Zimmerman, Tom Miars, Bob (Linda) Miars, Theresa (Tom) Fauth, and Andy Miars. As well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother and father and his sister Shellie Miars.

Please join us for a celebration of his life 11:00am May 2nd, 2026 at the Rosebud County Fairgrounds in Forsyth Montana.