James Bernard

James H. Bernard, 55, of Libby, died Monday, Jan. 30, 2006, at his home from natural causes.

He was born July 25, 1950, in Sioux Falls, S.D., to Charles and Eleanor Person Bernard. He grew up and attended school in Sioux Falls and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1968. He then attended the University of Iowa where he received a degree in civil engineering.

After college he inspected Civil Defense shelters before going to work for the city of Sioux Falls for a couple of years. He moved to Libby in 1978. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 28 years at the Canoe Gulch Ranger Station.

He married Pat Harvey on July 9, 2004, at a service on Swede Mountain. He enjoyed photography, camping, music, concerts astronomy, motorcycles and especially traveling across the country with his wife Pat.

Survivors include his wife Pat Bernard of Libby and mother Eleanor Bernard, brother Charles Bernard and sister Debbie Garza, all of Sioux Falls.

Services will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2, at the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home in Libby. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday.