James Motichka

James Lawrence "Jim" Motichka, 85, passed away from cancer on June 8, 2011, at The Springs in Whitefish.

Jim was born Jan. 5, 1926, in Kalispell, the son of Joseph and Mary (Firestein) Motichka. He was the fourth of seven children, joining his older siblings Joseph Andrew (Andy), Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Fredenberg and Catherine (Katy) Hatton, and later joined by younger siblings Richard (Dick), Barbara Penney and Roberta Elgin.

Jim served in the Navy during World War II, stationed on a destroyer escort in the Pacific Fleet as a machinist's mate. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and was able to attend several reunions with his former shipmates.

Jim married Alice Crumley on June 3, 1949, in Columbia Falls. They have two sons, James L. Jr. (Jimmy) and Jack. Jim worked in the logging industry and at the Anaconda Aluminum Co. plant as well as cutting Christmas trees.

He was one of the original organizers of the Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department and the Marion Volunteer Fire Department. He spent many years working with Boy Scout Troop 48 and was instrumental in organizing the Kalispell Rock and Gem Club. He also helped construct the Calvary Lutheran Church.

Jim and Alice later built, owned and operated the Rest-A-Day campground with gift shop, laundry and trailer park at Marion. The gift shop consisted of jewelry and crafts handmade by Jim and Alice.

As everyone who knows him knew, Jim loved fishing, hunting, camping and traveling. He and Alice spent 35 years as snowbirds in southern Arizona and California hiking in the desert. They also spent three summers in Alaska. Jim will be remembered for his sense of humor. He never met a stranger and was helpful to everyone.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Andy and Dick; sisters Betty and Barbara; and a granddaughter Jennifer.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Alice; sons Jimmy and wife Jackie, of Deadwood, Ore., and Jack and wife Ann, of Malta; grandchildren Jodi, Janae, Jamie, Jesse, Janel and Jeff; 12 great grandchildren; sisters Katy and Roberta; and many nephews and nieces.

Funeral services were held June 13, 2011, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Evergreen or Marion fire departments or the American Cancer Society.