James Jim W. Trainor

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Saturday, March 20, 2010 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fairfield, MT for James W. “Jim” Trainor, age 88, of Fairfield, Mt who died Saturday, March 6, 2010 at a Park Place Healthcare in Great Falls, MT from natural causes. Interment of his cremated remains will be in the Sunset Hills Cemetery following his services. Gorder Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Jim was born in Great Falls, MT on September 22, 1921 to May and Pat Trainor of Lowery, MT the second son of eight children. He attended schools in Fairfield, Fort Shaw and Simms, MT.

Jim married Ida “Lucy” Lucille Price on May 31, 1938 in Fort Benton, MT. Lucy passed away in May 2003, just 6 days short of their 65th wedding anniversary.

Jim served in the US Navy during WW II as a machinist mate on the Cape Espaerance. It was assigned to the Pacific Fleet carrying the new aircraft out and returning with airplanes in need of repairs. The ship was bombed and with a collective effort was able to limp into Pearl Harbor for repairs.

He worked at the shipyards in Bremerton, WA, and he farmed on his father-in-law’s farm in Simms as well as dry land farming with his brothers, Melvin and John, on a farm they rented near Fairfield. He also worked as a welder and auto mechanic at the Ford and Chevrolet garages in Fairfield and Anderson Moore Chevrolet in Simms. In addition, he worked at pacific Hide and Fur in Great Falls and the Greenfield Irrigation District, retiring in 1984.

Jim was a longtime member of the Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the American Legion and VFW Posts in Fairfield, MT..

He is survived by children: Mary Ann Curtiss of Great Falls, MT, James D. “Jimmy” Trainor of Helena, MT, Betty Bulik and Pat Trainor, both of Fairfield, MT, Rose Curtiss of Great Falls and Lillian Birden of Kokamo, Ind.; a brother: Melvin Trainor of Anaconda, MT and sisters: Katherine Mittlesteadt of Great Falls and Anne Griffin of Tallahassee, FL; 12 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren and 9 great great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lucy, a brother, John Trainor, and 3 sisters: Mary Trainor, Sadie Dagel and Mae Price.

Jim was never one to just sit around inside. He was always more comfortable being outside, whether it was tinkering on his collection of old cars or just walking in the outdoors. He enjoyed all kinds of animals…there was usually a dog by his side in his later years.

Memorials are suggested to the Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department; Bright Eyes Animal Rehab in Choteau, Mt or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Condolences may be left online at the funeral home website at www.gorderfuneralhome.com