James 'Jim' Thomas Toohey

James Thomas Toohey, a third generation local rancher, died at his home March 3, 2013 from complications of a short illness. He was 90 years of age. James was born September 4, 1922 on the family ranch. His parents were Thomas Toohey and Elsie “Marie” Figgins Toohey. The second of three children, he was preceded in birth by a brother John “Jack” and followed by a sister Patricia “Pat”. Jim attended grade schools in Bozeman and Belgrade. He graduated from Belgrade High School and attended MSU. He then went to work on the family ranch North of Bozeman that his grandfather Patrick started in 1876 when he arrived in the Gallatin Valley from Ireland. James married Margaret Emma Johns of Conrad Montana on May 1, 1946. Jim and Margaret had five children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. James loved to hunt, fish and garden. When not working he would often be found gardening or on a local stream or lake with his wife of 57 years or one of his many fishing friends. He also loved to travel and spent many winters with Margaret enjoying the sun of Arizona and California. He was proud of his family’s Irish heritage and was fortunate to spend his entire life on the family ranch he loved so much. James was preceded in death by his parents Tom and Marie, daughter Susan, brother Jack, wife Margaret, and granddaughter Stephanie. He is survived by his sister Pat (Jim) Monger ; his brother Jack’s wife Chloe; son Timothy; son Steven (Debbie); daughter Jane (Bill) Hall; son Jeffery (Maryann), grandchildren Andrea, Kayla, Austin and Jack, and great grandchildren Aidan, William, and Ethan and numerous nieces and nephews. Donations can be made in his name to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Services will be held at the Dahl Funeral Chapel on Friday, March 22, 2013 at 1:30 pm followed by interment at Sunset Hills Cemetery and reception at Dahl’s. A celebration of life will follow at the Grantree for those wanting to toast the old guy one more time.