James Frame

We celebrate the life of James Donald Frame, 82, born on August 24, 1942 in Council Bluff, Iowa to Donald Paul Frame and Lois Marie Kirkpatrick.

Jim was always very close with his mother and cared for her to the end. Jim’s father, Donald P. Frame, was a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War and passed away heroically after being killed in action when Jim was only nine. Awarded many medals, most notably his father was awarded a Silver Star for shooting down a kamikaze plane that was headed toward an aircraft carrier. His father’s sacrifice understandably made an impact on Jim’s life leading Jim to be a voracious lover of history and a patriot as he, himself, served in the Air Force during the Vietnam war.

He went to school as a youngster in Santa Ana, CA, and attended a military high school. He was involved in many sports in high school, but the one he spoke about most was his love for water polo.

Jim always wanted to serve in a different country, somewhere exotic, but they sent him to the un-exotic desert some 130 miles away from where he grew up. He served as an Edwards Air Force Base Police Patrol and patrolled the civilian road that went right through the base. Since that was the main thoroughfare that took people to Las Vegas, it led to many high speed chases and exciting service.

He lived in California, Hawaii, Washington and lived his later life in Bozeman, Montana with his devoted wife, Lucinda Goode. He moved from being a gregarious party animal in his youth to a more quiet observer and a helper to those in need in his later years. He was an avid reader of western history and had a collection of history books into the hundreds. He had a tremendous capacity for historical knowledge, especially Civil War history and a keeper of facts a person would discover when they asked him to share. He had an eclectic collection of artifacts with a history and a story for each item. He loved to travel and loved the culture, food and drink of Mexico. His eyes would light up when he spoke about the history of Mexico and his many extended adventures there.

He was a lover of fine food and his wife, Lucinda, served meals fit for kings. Having no children of their own, they gave great attention and generosity to their nieces, nephews and their families. Their house was the place to be on holidays with thoughtfully prepared food and over-the-top decorations. They loved to travel and enjoyed life together. He reciprocated his service to her and rose to the occasion to care for her during her struggles with cancer in her end days. He appreciated and admired the close-knit family that he married into. He thought of her family as an extension of her and had a great love and appreciation for those who surrounded him. 

Many people outside his circle knew him as shy and introverted, but as he needed more care, it became a gift to his family to understand his kindness, joy, and funny sense of humor. He was optimistic in spite of the physical challenges he faced and had a quick wit and kindness to those who knew him best. He appreciated the attention of his loved ones and he will be missed dearly. Our sweet Uncle Jimmy passed gently in his sleep from natural causes on October 4, 2024. His family is at ease knowing that he is free from the confines of his earthly body and is with Jesus!

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any gifts would be in the form of donating to Hospice. The family wishes to thank Bozeman Hospice and The Springs facility for filling in the gaps and being by his side with us during his end months. We were honored to know and be in the life of James D. Frame and we look forward to many more laughs with him in our Heavenly Reunion!