James N. Gilham Sr.
Dec. 22, 1925 — June 7, 2011
MONTROSE — James N. Gilham Sr., age 85, of Montrose, Colo., passed away peacefully June 7, 2011, at Montrose Memorial Hospital. Jim was born Dec. 22, 1925 in Milwaukee, Wis. He grew up in Wausau Wis., son of Ella and Lisle Gilham and had two sisters, Ann and Virgina. At age 17, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He fought in the South Pacific, where he sustained a wound, was honored with a purple heart and honorably discharged. After the war, Jim moved to Denver, Colo. and married Patricia Flynn. He sold life insurance for 49 years before moving from Littleton to Montrose in 1997. Jim loved the outdoors and his hobbies included fishing, camping and skiing, which he was able to do into his 80’s. He passed this love on to both of his children, son, Dr. James Gilham, Jr. and daughter, GiGi Bechthold, and his eight grandchildren. Other surviving family members include stepsons, Richard Shear of Talkeetna, Alaska and Ronald Shear of Denver, Colo. Jim was blessed with a wonderful family both immediate and extended. He maintained a positive outlook throughout all his life. He was frequently quoted saying “every day is a gift,” which he truly believed after surviving his time in the Marine Corps. He will be missed, but we are happy to have shared in such a wonderful life.
Graveside services, with military honors, will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2011, at Grand View Cemetery, Veterans Section. Memorial contributions, in memory of James Gilham Sr., may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO 81402 or Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-2121.
