James F. 'Jimmy' Gerrity, 53
James F. “Jimmy” Gerrity, 53, of Polson, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, doing what he loved, loading logging trucks in the woods.
He was born May 28, 1963, in Kalispell to Betty and Bernard Gerrity. Moved to Polson in 1968, attended elementary school in Valley View and graduated from Polson High School. After high school he attended heavy equipment and diesel mechanic school in Portland, Oregon.
He married Kay Herman on Sept. 25, 1982 and had three incredible sons, Matthew, Brandon and Derek. On March 22, 1996, Jim married Tammy Jo Aber and two more incredible children were born, Eric and Emily.
Jimmy worked for Dupuis Logging for over 30 years operating heavy equipment in the logging industry. He loved his work in the outdoors. He farmed in Valley View an area southwest of Polson in the community where he grew up. Raising a family on the farm was important to him.
As a loving husband, father, brother and son, he was always there when a family member or friend needed his helping hand. Jim loved to tinker and there wasn’t a thing he could not fix. He did have a twinkle in his eye that made you wonder what he was up to most of the time. With his easy smile and great sense of humor he made you smile when you saw his face come through door. He was a very proud father of his five children and five grandchildren.
Jim is survived by his wife Tammy; sons Matthew, Brandon (Chiara), Derek (Emily), Eric (Shawna); daughter Emily; five grandchildren, Makenna, Paisley, Brynn, Joslyn and Kane; brothers Gary (Denise) Hewitt and Tom (Deana) Hewitt; sister Laurie (Brad) Dassonville and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Betty and Bernard Gerrity and brother, Dick (Judi) Hewitt.
A memorial service was held at noon Monday, Feb. 20 at the Valley View Clubhouse southwest of Polson.
Donations in his name can be made to Log Jam Inc., a foundation for fallen loggers at P.O. Box 3193 Kalispell, MT, 59903 or www.montanalogjam.org.
Messages of condolence may be shared with the family online at www.thelakefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.
Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.