Jim Stone

Jim Stone was born in Billings, Mont., in 1935 and passed away in 2008. He is now hunting in Heaven

Jim spent a great deal of time hunting with his grandfather, and developed a keen sense of nature. He graduated from Billings Central High School, was chosen to play in the East-West Shrine Game, and later played football at the University of Montana, where he earned a business degree.

Missoula Mercantile offered Jim full tuition for Harvard Business School, but instead, he chose to join New York Life Insurance in Salt Lake City.

His boss was Sterling Sill, one of the 13 Apostles in the Mormon Church. Sterling often took Jim to Mormon conferences, but after awhile, figured out this was not to be Jim's path in life.

He said, “I guess I'll just stick you in with the 70s Choir because they probably can't smell the cigarettes and booze!”

Jim then opened his own insurance company know as Clements-Stone.

In 1977, Jim was coerced into visiting Sun Valley by local legend, Pat Ryan, the inventor of Jolly-Jumper. Pat was one of the last true cowboys.

The following year, Jim went astray when he met Donna Kelsey at the Duchin Room in Sun Valley. The Vancouver business was put on hold. Donna loved spontaneity. While they were cross country skiing one day in Sun Valley, Jim suggested a car drive. That brief drive ended up in Missoula where Jim could show her the country he loved. They were still in ski clothesŠ and they became life partners.

This wonderful and gifted person was a student of many things: books, cowboy memorabilia, old movies, Donna, and good scotch and a proper martini.

He was a big man, full of beans, with occasional cuss words Š and a great story teller as he never let the truth get in the way of a good story. Jim was giving and caring, and he affected those he met in the most profound way.

His strong sense of self helped him to fight the incredible five-year push of cancer.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Leslie; sons, Robert, Matthew and Greg; and several grandchildren.

Jim Stone was bigger than life. He, Donna, and his children, would take great pleasure in welcoming all friends to a celebratory roast Monday, July 28, 2008, at the Valley Club in Sun Valley, from 4:-6 p.m.