James Melvin McBride
James Melvin McBride, 81, passed away on Aug. 16, 2024, at his home in Libby, Montana.
He was born Jan. 29, 1943, in Salmon, Idaho, to Melvin and Mary McBride. He married Gloria on Dec. 18, 1967, at Aloha, Oregon. James and Gloria had four children, Robin, Sue Ellen, Cathy and James (Jimmy).
He loved his beloved wife and family. James loved working for the Forest Service, reading novels, putting together 1,000-piece puzzles, fishing and hunting. There was a story that he told while hunting. This story made the front page of The Western News and Jim had a great time retelling the story during many hunting camp trips.
“Treed by a Grizzly.”
Whether hunting or working, Jim loved the great outdoors!
Jim McBride and Kenny Farmer, longtime friends, were working (USFS) together in Syrup Creek in 1980. They separated while working out in the field.
Kenny saw a bear close by and yelled for it to leave. The bear walked away but turned around and charged. Fortunately for Kenny, he was near the only tree with branches low enough to climb. Kenny climbed the tree and so did the bear, breaking down all the branches!!
The bear retreated and after some time Kenny started down the tree only to be charged again back up the tree, teeth gnashing and grabbing one of Kenny’s boots. The bear retreated again. For the third time Kenny tried coming down the tree and the bear again shot up the tree and pushed Kenny to the top swaying in the wind, hugging inches of branch for dear life.
Hours later, Jim returned to the truck and started looking for Kenny. Jim called out and heard Kenny reply I am up the tree. Jim kept yelling, “where are you,” and Kenny yelling, “look up, look up, in the tree.”
After some time Jim talked Kenny down from the tree and as Kenny landed on the ground, the bear came out of the bushes and charged both men. Jim took both the mental hard hats and started banging them together so hard he was actually denting them and yelling loudly, the bear finally turned around and left.
This gave a whole new meaning to the words, “tree hugger.”
James is survived by his wife, Gloria McBride; two daughters, Robin Benson and Cathy (Robert) Clark; sister, Barb (Rudy) Godinez; nieces, Kari Godinez and Cherre Rodgers; nephew, Kelly Godinez; great niece, Sarafina; cousins, Janet Penner, Mark and Kirk Brown; grandchildren, Melissa, Michael, Kaitlyn, Bobby and Jessica; great-grandchildren, Mikayla, MJ (Michael Jr.), Brandon, Lizzy, Aubrey, Grant and Nathan.
He is preceded in death by parents, Melvin and Mary McBride; daughter, Sue Ellen McBride; son, James (Jimmy) McBride; brother, Charles Walchly; sister, Agnes Wiseman; and nephew, Doug Wiseman.
A celebration of life will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at 684 Taylor Road, Libby, Montana 59923.
Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby, Montana. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.