James Austin Swenson

James Austin Swenson, 73, of Billings, passed away peacefully on Feb. 13, 2018, with his family by his side. Jim faced cancer with incredible courage, strength, perseverance, grace and endless hope.

Jim was born on March 31, 1944, in Silver Creek, New York, to E. Stanley and Betty Swenson. At the age of 4, he and his family moved to Billings, where Jim grew up and attended school. He graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1962 as president of his class. After graduation, he earned a degree in economics from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.

Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1967 during the height of the Vietnam War. He spent three years with the military police, achieving the rank of sergeant. After honorable discharge, he returned to Billings and took a job in construction management. Shortly after his return, his mother introduced him to Bonnie Hauk. Love soon blossomed, and they were married on Sept. 25, 1971. In the late '70s, Jim transitioned into real estate sales. He became a broker and owner of Century 21 Properties. Then at the age of 41, he enrolled at the University of Montana Law School, and after three years of weekend commuting and hotplate cooking, received his Juris Doctor degree. Back in Billings, he became general counsel and later vice president of real estate for United Industry, Inc. It was during that time that he was given the task of developing a 240-acre depleted gravel pit at 24th Street West and King Avenue into a retail power center, a project he found not only challenging but extremely satisfying.

Jim had a very keen and active mind. He was an avid reader, accomplished pool player and skilled poker player. He enjoyed antique cars, music from the '40s, playing the piano, ballroom dancing and morning coffee with his good friend Jim Wagner. Jim also liked to fish the Stillwater. He didn't care if he caught any fish; camping and reading a good book were good enough for him. He frequently used his artistic talent to design and create gift wrapping and props for his granddaughters' birthday parties and other occasions. In retirement, he went from being a handyman to becoming quite a craftsman, completing several substantial home improvement projects.

Jim was a member of the American Legion Post 4, the American Bar Association and the Yellowstone Ballroom Dance Club.

Family left to cherish his memory include his wife, Bonnie; the two children he was so proud of, Michaela (Steve) Sieber of Lake Oswego, Oregon, and Paul (Teri) Swenson of Billings; five granddaughters who were a source of constant joy, Anna, Lily and Julia Sieber, and Haylie and Sophie Swenson; twin brothers, Rick of Billings and Rock (Kristen) of Manhattan, Montana; his brother- and sister-in-law, Larry and Judy Hauk of Sun City West, Arizona; as well as a niece and four nephews.

Thank you, Jimmer, Dad, Papa, for being the man you were and for always being our number one fan in life. You have made a lasting imprint on our lives, and we all love you very much. In sorrow, we bid you goodbye. Although you are gone from this earth, you will be in our thoughts and our hearts forever, and we know you will be watching over us.

Jim's family would like to extend deep gratitude to all of the wonderful people at St. John's who lovingly cared for him and touched his life during his last months.

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 19, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave., Billings. Rite of committal with military honors will follow at St. Pius Calvary Cemetery, 717 18th St. West.

Memorial donations can be made to Billings Catholic Schools.