James B. Mcdonough

[gn_spacer size=”20″] [gn_heading style=”1″]James B. McDonough[/gn_heading] [frame src=”https://michelottisawyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/tn_McDonough.jpg” width=”” height=”” lightbox=”on” title=”James B. McDonough” align=”left” ]James B. McDonough died Tuesday morning. Jim was born in Whitefish, MT to Margaret and Christopher McDonough on August 17, 1920. He was raised in Shelby where he got his first taste of the oil business. He graduated from Shelby High School in 1938 and went to the University of Montana at Missoula where he studied history.

His undergraduate studies were interrupted by WWII. He entered the Army in 1943 and became a paratrooper in the 17th (Thunder from Heaven) Airborne Division. In 1944 he was shipped to Europe aboard the Queen Mary which was carrying some 3000 soldiers. He served in Belgium, participating in the Battle of Bulge, where he was wounded and awarded the Military Order of the Purple Heart. He also participated in “Operation Varsity,” the airborne assault on the Rhine River. Operation Varsity was the last full-scale airborne drop of WW II as well as the first airborne invasion over the Rhine into Germany itself. It was here that the 17th Airborne set up a secure bridgehead for the attack on Essen which fell on April 10, 1945. Jim remained in Germany during the US occupation and was then deployed to Paris in June, 1945 where he was able to witness the great celebrations on VE Day. He returned to the University of Montana where he graduated from law school in 1948.

Jim moved to Billings in 1950 and practiced law for a short time. But, his real love was the excitement of the oil business. He worked as a landman for several major oil companies in the early fifties and, in 1953, along with his late brother Patrick, started Western Oil Well Service Company. The business was sold to Penn Central Railroad in 1981 but Jim continued to be active in the oil and gas business as an independent investor up until his death.

Jim met his wife, Theresa Quilico, in 1950. They were married at St. Patrick’s Church on July 7, 1951. They traveled extensively during their marriage and spent many winters at their Florida home where they had lots of great friends. They have two children Jim and Mary.

Jim was known for his loyalty, generosity, quick wit, and passionate, eccentric personality. He had friends from all walks of life. He was immensely proud of his Irish heritage and would dress up in a green suit with a shamrock tie every St. Patrick’s Day. He was a gambler at heart– be it at the card table or in the oil fields. He was an avid poker player around Billings and each spring, for many years, he would go to Las Vegas to play in the World Series of Poker competition. He was also a world-class duplicate bridge player and accumulated over 2900 Master Points. In 1986, he played on the team that won the North American Duplicate Bridge Championship. And, when he wasn’t talking about cards or history, Jim was doing his best to convert everyone to the Democratic Party. He was also a charter member of the Billings Petroleum Club, member of the Hilands Club, St. Patrick’s Church, and BPOE.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Patrick.

Jim was an incredible father to his two children who will dearly miss him. He is survived by his wife, Theresa, and two children Jim and Mary; along with his sister Catherine (Dale) Drake, sister-in-law Jean McDonough, and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: James B. and Francis Theresa McDonough Presidential Scholarship, University of Montana Foundation, PO Box 7159, Missoula, MT 59807-7159; St. Patrick’s Co-Cathedral, 215 N. 31st Billings, Mt 59102; or, a charity of one’s choice.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 Noon Friday at St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral with Rite of Committal at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 2 PM -8PM at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary.