James Arthur Stratton

On February 11th, 2025 James Arthur Stratton our beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather passed away after 88 magnificent years. 

Jim was born in Harrison, MT on October 11, 1936 to Rollis and Clarice Stratton. He grew up with his siblings, a brother Robert and three sisters, Jean, Joann, and Rollene. At a young age the family moved to Bozeman, where Jim and his siblings attended school. Jim was active in sports playing basketball and football for the Bozeman Hawks. He graduated from Bozeman High in 1955. He then attended Eastern Montana College in Billings where he earned a degree in Education and would go on to earn a master’s degree from Montana State University. 

In high school Jim met Betty Strang. They were married in 1957. They were married for 30 years, having two children, Greg who was born in 1966 and Karen in 1968. Greg and Karen were raised in Billings. Greg married Leasa DuCuennois in 1993. Greg and Leasa have two children Baylee and Tucker. Karen married Steve McCulloch in 1995 adding three grandchildren Cody, Rachel, and Emma.

After receiving his degree in education, Jim taught math at Billings West High School for 29 years, retiring in 1989. During that time, he was active in coaching track and basketball. In 1975 he started the Billings West girls’ basketball program of which he was the head coach for many years. After coaching he was very active as a high school basketball official traveling all over southern Montana to referee basketball games. He always found ways to support and mentor young people in various ways throughout his teaching career.

In 1991 Jim met Shirley Burris, the love of his life. Jim and Shirley were married in 2000 creating a blended family adding Shirley’s children Noreen (Mike), Tracy (Robin), and Bret (Debi), and grandchildren Michael, Shelby, Sydney, and Taylor to the family. Jim loved spending time with family and spent countless hours cooking dinner for whoever would stop by. The bigger the meal the better. He loved preparing weekend or holiday dinners and Jim and Shirley’s house quickly became a favorite of the whole family for special occasions because of his fabulous meals. The fish fry’s from his catch were always the best.

In his later years Jim was active in woodworking and gardening. Every year, for many years all the kids would receive boxes of canned tomatoes, salsa, marinara, and assorted vegetables that he grew himself. Another highlight, every year, was the annual elk hunting trip to southwest Montana with his hunting buddies. Jim was always thrilled when Greg, Steve or Bret were able to sneak away from work to join him for the week roughing it at elk camp. His love for basketball never wavered and his trip to the final four in Houston with Tracy was one of his favorite memories. Impromptu visits from Karen and Noreen always made his day. 

He and Shirley also traveled after they retired. A highlight for them was the trip to Alaska where they picked up their tenth grandchild Denali, their Alaskan Sled Dog. Jim and Denali were virtually inseparable for 13 great years.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Rollis and Clarice, sisters Jean, Joann, and Rollene, and brother Robert. He is survived by his wife Shirley, son Greg (Leasa), daughter Karen (Steve), Noreen Burris (Mike), Tracy Dangerfield (Robin), Bret Burris (Debi), grandkids Baylee Poluk (Will), Tucker Stratton (Kelly), Cody McCulloch, Rachel McCulloch, and Emma McCulloch, Michael Clark, Shelby Bouma (Logan), Sydney Dangerfield, and Taylor Jones (Tristan), and great granddaughters Juniper and Halle.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary on February 21, 2025, at 1:00. A reception will follow at the 1145 club